Sales representative internship vs direct sales representative

The differences between sales representative interns and direct sales representatives can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a sales representative internship and a direct sales representative. Additionally, a direct sales representative has an average salary of $43,527, which is higher than the $34,556 average annual salary of a sales representative internship.

The top three skills for a sales representative internship include customer service, kids and sales presentations. The most important skills for a direct sales representative are customer service, direct sales, and TV.

Sales representative internship vs direct sales representative overview

	Sales Representative Internship	Direct Sales Representative
Yearly salary	$34,556	$43,527
Hourly rate	$16.61	$20.93
Growth rate	4%	4%
Number of jobs	225,580	159,668
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 74%	Bachelor's Degree, 53%
Average age	47	47
Years of experience	4	4

What does a sales representative internship do?

In a sales representative internship, an intern's duties depend on the directives of a supervising staff or manager. Typically, they are responsible for gaining industry insights while performing clerical tasks such as preparing and processing documents, greeting visitors, disseminating and organizing files, and running errands as needed. They may also participate in communicating with clients through calls and appointments to offer products and services, ensuring client satisfaction. Furthermore, as an intern, it is essential to familiarize and abide by the company's policies and regulations, including its vision and mission.

What does a direct sales representative do?

As a direct sales representative, you are responsible for creating customer awareness of a company's products and services and closing sales. You will perform varied tasks that include assisting in developing and executing marketing and sales plans, conducting research on competing products, and identifying opportunities to improve sales. Additionally, you are expected to answer inquiries about product features, availability, benefits, and pricing. Other tasks that you are likely to perform include attending trade shows, preparing sales proposals for prospective buyers, and preparing sales reports.

Sales representative internship vs direct sales representative salary

Sales representative interns and direct sales representatives have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Sales Representative Internship	Direct Sales Representative
Average salary	$34,556	$43,527
Salary range	Between $27,000 And $43,000	Between $27,000 And $69,000
Highest paying City	-	Salem, OR
Highest paying state	-	Maine
Best paying company	-	Google
Best paying industry	-	-

Differences between sales representative internship and direct sales representative education

There are a few differences between a sales representative internship and a direct sales representative in terms of educational background:

	Sales Representative Internship	Direct Sales Representative
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 74%	Bachelor's Degree, 53%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	University of Pennsylvania	SUNY College of Technology at Alfred

Sales representative internship vs direct sales representative demographics

Here are the differences between sales representative interns' and direct sales representatives' demographics:

	Sales Representative Internship	Direct Sales Representative
Average age	47	47
Gender ratio	Male, 50.7% Female, 49.3%	Male, 68.4% Female, 31.6%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 3.8% Unknown, 3.7% Hispanic or Latino, 14.1% Asian, 5.1% White, 73.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%	Black or African American, 3.8% Unknown, 3.7% Hispanic or Latino, 14.2% Asian, 5.1% White, 72.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%
LGBT Percentage	6%	6%

Differences between sales representative internship and direct sales representative duties and responsibilities

Sales representative internship example 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.
Counsele veterans about college and department admissions requirements and how to navigate the registration process.

Direct sales representative example responsibilities.

Manage accounts and create invoices via QuickBooks.
Achieve and maintain high-volume sales output, for cell phones and broadband products to stay employ with company.
Contact medicare eligible recipients to sell medicare advantage plans through in-home meetings, community seminars and direct telesales.
Canvass assigned sales territory and solicit orders for new or upgrade cable, broadband and digital phone services.
Generate revenue by selling and upselling services while developing client base throughout territory.
Prospect and generate sales revenue by adding new program residential customers and cross selling and upselling current residential customers.

Sales representative internship vs direct sales representative skills

Common sales representative internship skills

Customer Service, 39%
Kids, 13%
Sales Presentations, 9%
PowerPoint, 4%
Sales Process, 3%
Outbound Calls, 2%

Common direct sales representative skills

Customer Service, 33%
Direct Sales, 20%
TV, 15%
Work Ethic, 4%
Technical Troubleshooting, 3%
Door-To-Door Sales, 3%

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Sales Representative Internship
Sales Representative Internship vs Direct Sales Representative

Updated January 8, 2025

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