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What is a junior sales representative and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
3 min read
Quoted experts
Frederik Beuk,
John Cicala Ph.D.

Junior Sales Representatives help reach the sales targets set by the sales manager. They may assist in the implementation of the different sales campaigns or initiatives of the company. They may also be assigned to handle phone calls, whether answering incoming ones or managing outgoing call needs.

Junior sales representatives are expected to have extensive knowledge of company products and services so that they are ready to answer any questions from customers. They should also know the current promotional products and deals of the company. If you are interested in working in sales teams, this is the best place to start.

Junior sales representatives are often high school graduates with little to no experience in the field of sales. However, there are some industries that may require sales representatives to have a bachelor's degree in the specific industry due to some required technical knowledge. While it is not a requirement, being outgoing will bring you far in this role.

What general advice would you give to a junior sales representative?

Frederik Beuk

Associate Professor of Marketing, University of Akron

The key consideration is whether you really want to maximize your initial salary. For instance, envision two job opportunities: one offering a salary of $50,000 per year, where you'd be the most junior team member, and the other providing $75,000 per year, with the caveat that you would be the sole sales representative for the firm. The optimal choice is to prioritize learning opportunities. In this context, being the lone salesperson for a company that compensates its highest-earning sales professional $75,000 might not be your superior option. Instead, seek a position that offers the greatest potential for learning. Subsequently, demonstrate your negotiating prowess, a critical sales skill, by securing a slightly higher salary. However, it's essential not to fixate on maximizing your starting salary. Your career requires a long-term strategy, and you have several decades ahead of you to maximize income.
ScoreJunior Sales RepresentativeUS Average
Salary
4.0

Avg. Salary $51,277

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level
7.1

Growth rate 4%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity
3.8
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.23%

Asian 5.15%

Black or African American 3.84%

Hispanic or Latino 14.26%

Unknown 3.71%

White 72.81%

Gender

female 52.14%

male 47.86%

Age - 48
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 48
Stress level
7.1

Stress level is high

7.1 - high

Complexity level
8.4

Complexity level is challenging

7 - challenging

Work life balance
4.9

Work life balance is fair

6.4 - fair

Junior sales representative career paths

Key steps to become a junior sales representative

  1. Explore junior sales representative education requirements

    Most common junior sales representative degrees

    Bachelor's

    60.8 %

    High School Diploma

    15.6 %

    Associate

    10.2 %
  2. Start to develop specific junior sales representative skills

    SkillsPercentages
    Facebook60.15%
    Scheduling Appointments7.07%
    Account Management4.81%
    Customer Service3.62%
    JR2.86%
  3. Complete relevant junior sales representative training and internships

    Accountants spend an average of 6-12 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New junior sales representatives learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a junior sales representative based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real junior sales representative resumes.
  4. Research junior sales representative duties and responsibilities

    • Manage and create all content distribute via various social media outlets: Facebook, twitter, feedback blogs, etc.
    • Perform inside sales, including telemarketing, prospecting, account penetration and product application, consulting and delivery of customer service.
    • Provide training on ISO processes to new team members.
    • Interpret blueprints to complete orders, on AS400 system.
  5. Prepare your junior sales representative resume

    When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your junior sales representative resume.

    You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a junior sales representative resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

    Choose from 10+ customizable junior sales representative resume templates

    Build a professional junior sales representative resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your junior sales representative resume.
    Junior Sales Representative Resume
    Junior Sales Representative Resume
    Junior Sales Representative Resume
    Junior Sales Representative Resume
    Junior Sales Representative Resume
    Junior Sales Representative Resume
    Junior Sales Representative Resume
    Junior Sales Representative Resume
    Junior Sales Representative Resume
  6. Apply for junior sales representative jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for a junior sales representative job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

    1. Browse job boards for relevant postings
    2. Consult your professional network
    3. Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
    4. Watch out for job scams

How did you land your first junior sales representative job

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Average junior sales representative salary

The average junior sales representative salary in the United States is $51,277 per year or $25 per hour. Junior sales representative salaries range between $36,000 and $72,000 per year.

Average junior sales representative salary
$51,277 Yearly
$24.65 hourly

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How do junior sales representatives rate their job?

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Junior sales representative reviews

profile
A zippia user wrote a review on Jun 2020
Pros

Communicating and helping my clients.

Cons

The travel was extensive. Sometimes. It took more than month to close a deaĺ.


profile
A zippia user wrote a review on May 2020
Pros

I love to engage the public and meet new faces. I enjoy explaining all of the benefits of the product I am selling, and making the customer feel important and well informed.

Cons

I don't like feeling like I haven't did a great at job at making customers feel comfortable and confident about where and who they are purchasing from.


profile
A zippia user wrote a review on May 2020
Pros

i enjoy the interaction with people, listen the customer in order to convert him/her into your friend, detect and help customer with his/her needs.

Cons

People without vision, dreams and selfishness.


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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.