How to hire a sales representative/assistant

How to hire a sales representative/assistant, step by step

Here's a step-by-step sales representative/assistant hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a sales representative/assistant job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new sales representative/assistant
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   First, determine the employments status of the sales representative/assistant you need to hire. Certain sales representative/assistant roles might require a full-time employee, whereas others can be done by part-time workers or contractors.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   A sales representative/assistant's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, sales representative/assistants from different industries or fields will have radically different experiences and will bring different viewpoints to the role. You also need to consider the candidate's previous level of experience to make sure they'll be comfortable with the job's level of seniority.

   The following list breaks down different types of sales representative/assistants and their corresponding salaries.

   Type of Sales Representative/Assistant	Description	Hourly rate
   Sales Representative/Assistant	Wholesale and manufacturing sales representatives sell goods for wholesalers or manufacturers to businesses, government agencies, and other organizations. They contact customers, explain product features, answer any questions that their customers may have, and negotiate prices.	$14-22
   Field Representative	The primary role of field marketing representatives is to drive brand awareness through face-to-face customer interaction. They are the liaisons between sellers and buyers, providing vital information on products and services... Show more	$12-34
   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... Show more	$16-37

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Product Knowledge
   • Brand Awareness
   • Sales Associates
   • Store Associates
   • Sales Reports
   • Increase Sales
   • Outbound Calls
   • Product Demonstrations
   • Sales Reps
   • Financial Statements
   • Inbound Calls
   • Product Displays
   • Roadside Assistance
   • Purchase Orders

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Manage organization website and Facebook page; writing articles for websites and newsletters.
   • Execute weekly on premise promotions and off-site special events that generate brand awareness, increase distribution and additional sales.
   • Create and maintain purchase and sales orders for clients through use of POS systems.
   • Operate a well-establish POS system which include POS reporting tools to better assist the sales team.
   • Communicate ongoing contact activity utilizing Salesforce.com.

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your sales representative/assistant job description is a great way to entice the best and brightest candidates. A sales representative/assistant salary can vary based on several factors:

   • Location. For example, sales representative/assistants' average salary in hawaii is 51% less than in new jersey.
   • Seniority. Entry-level sales representative/assistants earn 36% less than senior-level sales representative/assistants.
   • Certifications. A sales representative/assistant with a few certifications under their belt will likely demand a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for a prestigious company or an exciting start-up can make a huge difference in a sales representative/assistant's salary.

   Average sales representative/assistant salary

   $38,112yearly

   $18.32 hourly rate

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   Entry-level sales representative/assistant salary

   $30,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 16, 2025

4. Writing a sales representative/assistant job description

   A good sales representative/assistant job description should include a few things:

   • Summary of the role
   • List of responsibilities
   • Required skills and experience

   Including a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager is also appreciated by candidates. Here's an example of a sales representative/assistant job description:

   Sales representative/assistant job description example

   L&W Supply is a leading specialty distributor of drywall, ceiling tiles, steel framing and other building materials used by commercial and residential contractors. L&W Supply delivers the products and capabilities offered by a national distributor paired with the service and personal touch usually found only in a locally owned business.
   
   As an Inside Sales Associate, you will provide assistance to customers as they purchase the materials they need for a variety of building projects. From the moment you greet customers until their sales have been finalized, you will provide them with superior service and building material expertise.
   Specific duties may include:
   Assisting customers in developing L&W solutions to meet their needs Discussing features and benefits of products and services Establishing rapport with new customers and nurturing relationships with long term customers Soliciting feedback from customers on products and services Coordinating delivery requests to ensure efficiency and customer satisfaction Assisting in the development of branch sales plan and strategy Assisting in the design and execution of merchandising strategy Determining customers' needs and recommending appropriate products and solutions, up-selling additional products and supplies for each job Answering incoming phone calls and emails to assist customers in a timely manner Accepting payment and applying it to the appropriate customer account Arranging with the warehouse for customer product pickup Reordering products to keep the store and warehouse shelves well stocked Addressing and resolving service concerns, should they arise
   
   Specific qualifications include:
   1-2 years' experience with interior building products is preferred Excellent communication and interpersonal skills Solid time management and prioritization skills Basic computer skills Positive attitude and team player Detail and service oriented
   
   Benefits may include:
   Health, dental, and vision coverage Life insurance 401(k) with company match Flex spending Paid time off Paid holidays
   
   Equal Opportunity Employer / Drug Free Workplace

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   There are various strategies that you can use to find the right sales representative/assistant for your business:

   • Consider promoting from within or recruiting from your existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
   • Attend job fairs at local colleges to find candidates who meet your education requirements.
   • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to reach potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your sales representative/assistant job on Zippia to find and recruit sales representative/assistant candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   During your first interview to recruit sales representative/assistants, engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. During the following interview, you'll be able to go into more detail about the company, the position, and the responsibilities.

   It's also good to ask about candidates' unique skills and talents. You can move on to the technical interview if a candidate is good enough for the next step.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new sales representative/assistant

   Once you've found the sales representative/assistant candidate you'd like to hire, it's time to write an offer letter. This should include an explicit job offer that includes the salary and the details of any other perks. Qualified candidates might be looking at multiple positions, so your offer must be competitive if you like the candidate. Also, be prepared for a negotiation stage, as candidates may way want to tweak the details of your initial offer. Once you've settled on these details, you can draft a contract to formalize your agreement.

   It's also good etiquette to follow up with applicants who don't get the job by sending them an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

   To prepare for the new employee's start date, you can create an onboarding schedule and complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9 forms, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Human Resources should also ensure that a new employee file is created.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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