Q: How long does it take to become a sales representative?

It takes no time to become a sales representative. An entry-level sales representative position is available to anyone with a high school diploma and several months of training. While there are no formal requirements in place to become a sales rep, there are steps that sales representatives need to take to become more skilled in their position.

Q: How much do outside sales reps make?

Outside sales reps make approximately $77,600 per year. This salary fluctuates with the experience of the sales representative as well as the pay structure of their company. Experienced sales representatives are able to command a higher salary or better commission percentages, and their salaries can exceed $350,000 per year. The average tenure of a sales representative is one to three years.

Question 1

Can I be a sales rep without a degree?

Accepted Answer

Yes, you can be a sales representative without a college degree. There are no formal educational requirements for becoming a sales rep.

However, most employers require that potential sales representatives have a high school diploma. Once hired, representatives will typically undergo on-the-job training.

Question 2

How are outside sales reps paid?

Accepted Answer

Outside sales representatives are paid in a variety of ways, some of which involve salary, commission, or both.

Sales representatives that work on commission only can earn large amounts of money based on their sales. A typical commission is 20 to 40% of a salesman's gross sales. There are no limits on how much the representative can make, but there is pressure to sell as one's entire income is sales-dependent.

Question 3

How long does it take to become a sales representative?

Accepted Answer

It takes no time to become a sales representative. An entry-level sales representative position is available to anyone with a high school diploma and several months of training.

While there are no formal requirements in place to become a sales rep, there are steps that sales representatives need to take to become more skilled in their position.

Question 4

How much do outside sales reps make?

Accepted Answer

Outside sales reps make approximately $77,600 per year. This salary fluctuates with the experience of the sales representative as well as the pay structure of their company.

Experienced sales representatives are able to command a higher salary or better commission percentages, and their salaries can exceed $350,000 per year. The average tenure of a sales representative is one to three years.

Question 5

What are the best outside sales jobs?

Accepted Answer

The best outside sales jobs are associated with larger, high-profile companies. These jobs span industries from pharmaceutical companies to technology.

Outside sales positions with larger companies afford the sales representative the opportunity to service larger accounts. Over 72% of the sales force of companies doing over 500 million dollars in business are outside salespeople.

Question 6

What is outside sales vs. inside sales?

Accepted Answer

The difference between outside sales and inside sales lies in the sales approach. Outside sales representatives travel and meet customers in person, whereas inside sales representatives largely use the phone and email to sell remotely.

Question 7

What is your role as a sales representative?

Accepted Answer

Your role as a sales representative is to promote and service a company's products. There are several specific responsibilities important to all sales representatives relating to customer contact and service.

Question 8

What qualifications does a sales rep need?

Accepted Answer

While there are no formal qualifications, a sales representative should be an individual who is highly motivated, organized, and is comfortable with meeting quotas.

Above all, a prospective sales representative should be a good communicator. Listening to customer needs and being able to clearly explain the benefits of a product are crucial to success.

Skills	Percentages
Customer Service	17.34%
Work Ethic	8.11%
Sales Process	3.92%
Business Sales	3.83%
Cold Calls	3.77%

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