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What is an outside sales consultant and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
Quoted Experts
Kaustav Misra Ph.D.,
John Cicala Ph.D.
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Outside sales consultants conduct sales out in the field via face-to-face interactions with potential and existing customers. An outside consultant often travels within sales territory to meet prospects and customers and conduct calls and physical meetings with new and existing customers. They educate customers on how goods and services can benefit them financially and professionally and sell the products or services to people within their given territory. An outside sales consultant will have to work closely with the marketing department to help build the brand.

A high level of comfort in initiating conversations and a well-developed social presence is important for an outside sales consultant. Apart from this, you need a social and positive personality. In addition to these qualities, the consultant needs the ability to solve problems and must be a self-starter since not every day is the same and the work setting differs. The educational requirement for an outside sales consultant is a bachelor's degree in marketing, business, economics, or any equivalent education. An outside sales consultant earns between $31,000 to $90,000 a year.

What general advice would you give to an Outside Sales Consultant?

Kaustav Misra Ph.D.Kaustav Misra Ph.D. LinkedIn Profile

Associate Dean, Central Connecticut State University

I have spent almost two decades in the higher education industry and about a decade in administration. I often advised students, and it is astonishing to see how many of these students do not plan for their future. A good plan is a starting point to lead a good and successful career and life. Hence, by all means, it is worth noting that developing a future-oriented focus is important, so taking time to streamline the plan should be an important exercise for every graduate before they begin to do anything.
ScoreOutside Sales ConsultantUS Average
Salary
6.0

Avg. Salary $76,601

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 3.83%

Hispanic or Latino 14.22%

Unknown 3.71%

White 72.85%

Gender

female 36.53%

male 63.47%

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

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Outside Sales Consultant career paths

Key steps to become an outside sales consultant

  1. Explore outside sales consultant education requirements

    Most common outside sales consultant degrees

    Bachelor's

    69.4 %

    Associate

    15.8 %

    High School Diploma

    5.3 %
  2. Start to develop specific outside sales consultant skills

    SkillsPercentages
    Customer Service14.08%
    In-Home9.40%
    CRM7.73%
    Sales Presentations6.51%
    Lead Generation6.38%
  3. Complete relevant outside sales consultant training and internships

    Accountants spend an average of 6-12 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New outside sales consultants 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 an outside sales consultant based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real outside sales consultant resumes.
  4. Research outside sales consultant duties and responsibilities

    • Utilize CRM data to deliver critical insights into product trends and manage leads for new product offerings.
    • Manage individual sales activities by developing highly effective, communications focuse relationship with multiple sales channels.
    • Perform data entry or require customer information into company CRM system in order to create and maintain an ongoing sales base.
    • Develop special reports, publications, spreadsheets and PowerPoint presentations.
  5. Prepare your outside sales consultant resume

    When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your outside sales consultant 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 an outside sales consultant resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

    Choose From 10+ Customizable Outside Sales Consultant Resume templates

    Build a professional Outside Sales Consultant 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 Outside Sales Consultant resume.
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    Outside Sales Consultant Resume
    Outside Sales Consultant Resume
    Outside Sales Consultant Resume
    Outside Sales Consultant Resume
    Outside Sales Consultant Resume
  6. Apply for outside sales consultant jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for an outside sales consultant 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 Outside Sales Consultant Job

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Average outside sales consultant salary

The average Outside Sales Consultant salary in the United States is $76,601 per year or $37 per hour. Outside sales consultant salaries range between $48,000 and $120,000 per year.

Average Outside Sales Consultant Salary
$76,601 Yearly
$36.83 hourly

What Am I Worth?

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How do outside sales consultants rate their job?

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Outside Sales Consultant 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.