What does an outside sales executive do?
An outside sales executive is primarily in charge of spearheading and overseeing the sales procedures in an organization. Their responsibilities typically revolve around setting goals and objectives, establishing guidelines, liaising with key clients, and developing strategies to develop strong business relationships with customers and other external parties. Furthermore, as an outside sales executive, it is essential to lead and encourage the workforce to reach goals while implementing the company's policies and regulations, creating new ones as needed.
Outside sales executive responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real outside sales executive resumes:
- Manage a team of 15-25 ISE's through effective sales coaching, call monitoring and creating sales spiff programs.
- Sell SaaS B2B for leading cloud-base expense management provider.
- Track all sales activity within the company database and SalesLogix, a CRM software program.
- Maintain CRM and provide assistance in customer's needs, including engine, chassis and transmission parts.
- Perform regular sales visits throughout assign territory to develop relationship with independent grocery and convenient stores.
- Assist MRO organizations in composite shop design and organization.
Outside sales executive skills and personality traits
We calculated that 16% of Outside Sales Executives are proficient in Customer Service, CRM, and Account Management. They’re also known for soft skills such as Customer-service skills, Interpersonal skills, and Physical stamina.
We break down the percentage of Outside Sales Executives that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Customer Service, 16%
Implemented new and more effective internal operating procedures for management of samples, progress reports and customer service operations.
- CRM, 12%
Maintained company proficiency in Salesforce CRM by providing training on-demand.
- Account Management, 7%
Solicited and secured contracts from businesses and organizations through prospecting, account management and development.
- Business Sales, 6%
Coordinate new business to business sales strategy for company.
- Cold Calls, 6%
Led all management aspects of approximately 60 accounts, Generated new business through cold calling and marketing educational seminars.
- Business Solutions, 4%
Experienced meeting with C level executives and presenting CenturyLink business solutions.
Most outside sales executives use their skills in "customer service," "crm," and "account management" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential outside sales executive responsibilities here:
Customer-service skills. The most essential soft skill for an outside sales executive to carry out their responsibilities is customer-service skills. This skill is important for the role because "wholesale and manufacturing sales representatives must be able to listen to the customer’s needs and concerns before and after the sale." Additionally, an outside sales executive resume shows how their duties depend on customer-service skills: "provide customer support by responding to customer inquiries and requests. "
Interpersonal skills. Another soft skill that's essential for fulfilling outside sales executive duties is interpersonal skills. The role rewards competence in this skill because "wholesale and manufacturing sales representatives must be able to work well with many types of people." According to an outside sales executive resume, here's how outside sales executives can utilize interpersonal skills in their job responsibilities: "acquired exceptional interpersonal and rapport building skills with an emphasis on forging strong business relationships. "
Physical stamina. Another skill that relates to the job responsibilities of outside sales executives is physical stamina. This skill is critical to many everyday outside sales executive duties, as "wholesale and manufacturing sales representatives are often on their feet for a long time and may carry heavy sample products." This example from a resume shows how this skill is used: "conduct 5-10 sales presentations per week by physical visit to client locations. "
Self-confidence. A big part of what outside sales executives do relies on "self-confidence." You can see how essential it is to outside sales executive responsibilities because "wholesale and manufacturing sales representatives must be confident and persuasive when making sales presentations." Here's an example of how this skill is used from a resume that represents typical outside sales executive tasks: "direct business to business sales of confidential document destruction services. "
The three companies that hire the most outside sales executives are:
- Beyond138 outside sales executives jobs
- Powell Valley Care Ctr33 outside sales executives jobs
- Toshiba America Business Solutions11 outside sales executives jobs
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Compare different outside sales executives
Outside sales executive vs. Sales professional
A sales professional is an employee who is responsible for the management and assessment of the effectiveness of a company's sales representatives and sales team. By setting sales goals, sales professionals work with other departments to learn more about the company's products and services while developing strategies for acquiring new clients. They analyze the company's track sales and status reports and present them to the top management to continually keep improving. Employers may require their sales professionals to have a bachelor's degree with working experience.
These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of an outside sales executive are more likely to require skills like "account management," "business sales," "business solutions," and "telemarketing." On the other hand, a job as a sales professional requires skills like "pos," "work ethic," "sales techniques," and "strong work ethic." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.
The education levels that sales professionals earn slightly differ from outside sales executives. In particular, sales professionals are 1.0% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than an outside sales executive. Additionally, they're 0.1% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Outside sales executive vs. Sales development representative
A sales development representative qualifies leads at the sales funnel's initial stages. Sales development representatives need to conduct research for prospective clients and qualify the leads before handing them to the sales team. They develop sales strategies to attract buyers or solicit potential customers. They need to build relationships with their customers to determine their needs and qualify the viability of interests to drive sales. Also, they collaborate with the sales executives making certain that corporate targets and goals are met.
In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, outside sales executive responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "crm," "account management," "business sales," and "business solutions." Meanwhile, a sales development representative has duties that require skills in areas such as "sdr," "account executives," "linkedin," and "phone calls." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.
Sales development representatives may earn a lower salary than outside sales executives, but sales development representatives earn the most pay in the start-up industry with an average salary of $54,512. On the other hand, outside sales executives receive higher pay in the technology industry, where they earn an average salary of $72,767.sales development representatives earn similar levels of education than outside sales executives in general. They're 2.1% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.1% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Outside sales executive vs. Sales consultant
Sales consultants are employees who work in the sales department of a company. They are usually more skilled than usual sales employees. As such, they are usually given more complicated products or services to sell because they will be able to explain the product or service to the customers better. Sales consultants have in-depth knowledge of the offerings of the company. They talk to customers, understand what the customers need, and match the customers' needs with company products that can address the needs. They should also be updated on trends in the market and what is currently popular with the masses.
Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from outside sales executive resumes include skills like "account management," "business sales," "business solutions," and "telemarketing," whereas a sales consultant is more likely to list skills in "pos," "pre sales," "work ethic," and "cross-selling. "
Sales consultants earn the best pay in the finance industry, where they command an average salary of $68,120. Outside sales executives earn the highest pay from the technology industry, with an average salary of $72,767.sales consultants typically earn similar educational levels compared to outside sales executives. Specifically, they're 1.3% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.2% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Outside sales executive vs. Sales specialist
A sales specialist is responsible for offering the best goods and services to customers in order to boost the company's sales. Sales specialists also promote strategies and solutions to contribute to the company's growth and profitability. A sales specialist must have extensive knowledge of the current market trends and the best sales skills to perform marketing tasks. Sales specialists should have excellent communication and customer service skills to assist existing and potential clients with their inquiries and concerns.
Updated January 8, 2025
