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Job outlook for sales representative supervisors in the United States
Sales representative supervisor job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
The projected sales representative supervisor job growth rate is 4% from 2018-2028.
About 63,300 new jobs for sales representative supervisors are projected over the next decade.
Sales representative supervisor salaries have increased 7% for sales representative supervisors in the last 5 years.
There are over 80,205 sales representative supervisors currently employed in the United States.
There are 402,301 active sales representative supervisor job openings in the US.
The average sales representative supervisor salary is $35,469.
Are sales representative supervisor jobs in demand?
Sales representative supervisor job and salary trends over time
Sales representative supervisor jobs over time
Sales representative supervisor job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 80,205 | 0.02% |
| 2020 | 76,011 | 0.02% |
| 2019 | 84,481 | 0.03% |
| 2018 | 85,404 | 0.03% |
| 2017 | 86,166 | 0.03% |
Average sales representative supervisor salary over time
Sales representative supervisor salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $35,469 | $17.05 | +3.0% |
| 2025 | $34,420 | $16.55 | +1.8% |
| 2024 | $33,805 | $16.25 | +2.8% |
| 2023 | $32,884 | $15.81 | --1.3% |
| 2022 | $33,302 | $16.01 | +1.9% |
Sales representative supervisor jobs by state
Most common states for sales representative supervisors
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 3,218 | 47% |
| 2 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 329 | 47% |
| 3 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 554 | 41% |
| 4 | Vermont | 623,657 | 245 | 39% |
| 5 | Iowa | 3,145,711 | 1,191 | 38% |
| 6 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 394 | 37% |
| 7 | Delaware | 961,939 | 356 | 37% |
| 8 | Pennsylvania | 12,805,537 | 4,585 | 36% |
| 9 | Maine | 1,335,907 | 464 | 35% |
| 10 | Maryland | 6,052,177 | 2,049 | 34% |
| 11 | Kansas | 2,913,123 | 949 | 33% |
| 12 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 343 | 33% |
| 13 | Ohio | 11,658,609 | 3,741 | 32% |
| 14 | New Jersey | 9,005,644 | 2,890 | 32% |
| 15 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 1,793 | 32% |
| 16 | Connecticut | 3,588,184 | 1,156 | 32% |
| 17 | North Carolina | 10,273,419 | 3,217 | 31% |
| 18 | Virginia | 8,470,020 | 2,628 | 31% |
| 19 | Utah | 3,101,833 | 954 | 31% |
| 20 | Idaho | 1,716,943 | 535 | 31% |
Most common cities for sales representative supervisors
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Diego | 1 | 0% | $31,690 |
Sales Representative Supervisor job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of sales representative supervisor experts
University of Maryland - College Park
University of Southern Mississippi
University of Alabama at Birmingham
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
University of Maryland - College Park
North Dakota State University
University of Akron
Valparaiso University
Nazareth College of Rochester
Texas Christian University
University of Akron
Florida State University
Clarion University of Pennsylvania
SUNY New Paltz
Florida International University
Emsi
Lloyd Wilson
Professor and Center DirectorWhat general advice would you give to a Sales Representative Supervisor?
Lloyd Wilson: Be a strong communicator. Make yourself so valuable that the company will lose business if you decide to accept a position with another company. Show your value by being able to improve the company’s bottom line. Earn the company’s respect by earning the respect of the crop consultants, growers, extension agents, and specialists. Be willing to ask for pay increases once you have reached the point that you believe your knowledge separates you from the pack, so-to-speak. Be wiling to change jobs is necessary, but never burn bridges. Be willing to accept leadership roles, even if it means you have to relocate.
What Sales Representative Supervisor skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Lloyd Wilson: If the graduate is just starting his/her career with a chemical company then the best advice I can give is to learn all you can about major factors that impact herbicide, fungicide, and insecticide efficacy. Reach beyond the products that the company sale and learn how the crop responds to the array of management inputs. Don’t be hesitant to say I don’t know about something but will get back to you on it. Do get back to them. Learn that when you don’t know something, ask the opinion of the consultants, growers, and researchers you work with.
What will help Sales Representative Supervisors increase their earning potential?
Lloyd Wilson: Communication. A person who is willing to learn by doing. A person who learns the ins and out of all aspect of production of each crop you work with from varietal selection to planting, fertilizing, irrigating, pest management and harvesting will be highly prized. Growers and consultants respect chemical reps who have a strong understanding of all aspects of production and management. Growers and consultants are certainly interested in knowing how to maximize the cost-effectiveness of their chemical options. But don’t b.s. about what you do and don’t know. Nothing wrong with saying I don’t know and will get back to you. Working for a chemical company means you need to know how to calibrate spray equipment, evaluate efficacy, determine cost-efficacy of the array of management options, and know how to work safely with potentially dangerous chemicals. Drone technology is quickly taking off. Obtain a license to operate drones with attachments that allow liquid, granular, and powder payloads application. Know the ins and outs of labels. Know the flexibility that your company provides you in terms of chemical pricing, assume there is a sales side to the position. At times, you will have to recommend other company’s chemistries. But if that happens too often, find a better company to work for. Learn how to work closely with your crop consultants, growers, university researchers, extension specialists, and local extension agents.
What general advice would you give to a Sales Representative Supervisor?
Dr. Kathleen Kelly: Starting a career in sales will be both exciting and challenging. Below are six tips for those entering this amazing field for the first time.
What Sales Representative Supervisor skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Kathleen Kelly: Maximizing your salary potential requires research, flexibility, and being your best advocate.
What will help Sales Representative Supervisors increase their earning potential?
Dr. Kathleen Kelly: The world is changing rapidly and the Sales field is no exception.
What will help Sales Representative Supervisors increase their earning potential?
Kevin Buckley: My top advice is to be a continuous learner, both about your company/products and about the sales profession itself. Sales is a skill that requires ongoing development through practice, coaching, and studying new techniques. Don't rest on what you learned in school - seek out mentors, training opportunities, and ways to keep enhancing your sales capabilities. I would also advise resilience and to view every 'no' as a step closer to 'yes.' Sales has its share of rejection. Have a positive attitude, persist through obstacles, and be a student of why buyers say no so that you can improve.
What Sales Representative Supervisor skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. John Hansen: As to the first question, I would suggest any new graduate beginning in sales understand themselves to better understand what type of role they will best fit to. There has been a growing increase in assessment tests in sales to ensure that sales people are being placed in roles they will flourish in. For example, some sales people are more oriented towards finding new customers, while others are more oriented towards managing existing relationships. To the extent that new salespeople can better understand what role they will fit best to, and then secure that role, they are more likely to be successful. Beyond that, there is no substitute for hard work - particularly as one begins their career.
E. Duff Wrobbel Ph.D.
ChairSouthern Illinois University Edwardsville
Communication And Media Studies
What general advice would you give to a Sales Representative Supervisor?
E. Duff Wrobbel Ph.D.: Network, get an internship, do action research etc - anything to add practical experience to the classroom knowledge base.
What Sales Representative Supervisor skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
E. Duff Wrobbel Ph.D.: All things social media are important, and so writing skills still matter.
What will help Sales Representative Supervisors increase their earning potential?
E. Duff Wrobbel Ph.D.: With this major, probably the best salaries are from sales jobs, which many people shy away from because they think only of hustling used cars, but sales can be very good work.
What Sales Representative Supervisor skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Peter Weiss Ph.D., P.E.: There is a lot of advice I would share with a new graduate. This includes the following:
Never pass up an opportunity to learn something new. Every situation you find yourself in will provide learning opportunities.
Although it's important to learn when to say no, be very careful when turning down an opportunity. You never know what doors will open when you say yes to something.
Find and develop a unique skill set or ability to set yourself apart in the office.
Always behave in a professional manner and maintain good relationships with other engineers you work with or have encountered (even when switching jobs for any reason)
What will help Sales Representative Supervisors increase their earning potential?
Peter Weiss Ph.D., P.E.: There is a lot of advice I would share with a new graduate. This includes the following:
Never pass up an opportunity to learn something new. Every situation you find yourself in will provide learning opportunities.
Although it's important to learn when to say no, be very careful when turning down an opportunity. You never know what doors will open when you say yes to something.
Find and develop a unique skill set or ability to set yourself apart in the office.
Always behave in a professional manner and maintain good relationships with other engineers you work with or have encountered (even when switching jobs for any reason)
What Sales Representative Supervisor skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Derrek Schartz: To maximize your total income in sales one must always be learning and growing. Improving their knowledge, skills, and abilities particularly in light of the disruptions beginng to occur, such as AI, digitization, and others.
What general advice would you give to a Sales Representative Supervisor?
Hank Boyd: Demonstrated proficiency in sales represents a feather in your cap. For many
CEOs, they started their illustrious career in sales. Nowadays, it is a common
launchpad for scores of successful business executives in consumer package goods.
Why is this so? Savvy companies know that it is paramount that new hires
quickly learn who the real target consumers are. Spending time on the front lines will
enhance your later contributions to the firm. For example, after obtaining my MBA from
Berkeley, I had the good fortune to land a sales position at Merck. I served as a Hospital
Representative specializing in broad spectrum antibiotics. My territory consisted of
Stanford University Medical Center, Palo Alto VA Medical Center, and the Santa Clara
Valley Medical Center.
After 18 months of working diligently in territory, I was offered a promotion to
work inside at Merck's headquarters in Rahway, New Jersey. Once I truly knew the
needs and concerns of my clients - general surgeons, urologists, gastroenterologists,
urologists, and infectious disease specialists - Merck was confident I could craft
relevant literature pieces and design compelling ad campaigns to reach target
physicians.
Mastery of general sales is a highly coveted asset. Once you conquer a given
product domain, the artform of sales is entirely transferrable. Case in point, it is not
unusual for you to begin in pharmaceuticals and then effortlessly segue into medical
equipment sales after a couple of years.
What Sales Representative Supervisor skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Hank Boyd: With the looming prospects of AI, soft skills will reign supreme in sales. While at
first blush it might seem counterintuitive in that product knowledge used to be cardinal
skill, today's salesforce relies heavily on networking. Numerous academic papers lend
credence to this idea. Great people skills often trump wonkish knowledge about the
product line.
As we wade further into the 21st Century, environmental scanning (or better yet
the innate ability to read prospects) will remain pivotal. Exceptional salespeople
instinctively scan a prospective client's office noticing all the trappings. They are trying to find something they can comment upon, by doing so they can establish common
ground. Once a connection is forged, salespeople move out of the box of being pesky
interlopers into becoming valued associates.
Lastly, if you decide to embark on a career in sales never forget the tried-and-
true axiom of ABC - always be closing. This phrase means having the gumption to ask
for the business. While sales recruits might have congenial and bubbly personalities, if
they cannot look the prospect in the eye and ask for the business, they ought to find
another profession.
What will help Sales Representative Supervisors increase their earning potential?
Hank Boyd: Nothing provides greater leverage in salary negotiations than having
documented sales experience. My advice would be to garner as much experience as you
can while in college. For example, you could fundraise for a nonprofit cause or a local
political campaign. If you have affiliation with a fraternity or sorority, volunteer to
serve on its recruitment committee. The bottom line is that you must convince any
potential employer that you naturally relate to people from all walks of life.
Eric Gjerdevig
Lecturer in Marketing, Director for the Center for Professional Selling and Sales TechnologyNorth Dakota State University
Marketing
What general advice would you give to a Sales Representative Supervisor?
Eric Gjerdevig: First, remember that what you get out of your first job is so much more than compensation. A great manager mentoring you is priceless: it will pay you back dividends for the rest of your career. That said, in sales our compensation is typically tied to our performance. That means we need to put yourself out there, pay attention to the actions of the most successful salesperson in the company, learn everything you can, and manage your time well.
What Sales Representative Supervisor skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Eric Gjerdevig: I might be a contrarian with this answer. I think as technology advances very quickly with AI it's our human-to-human skills that will become rarer and more valuable over the coming years. It might sound silly but things such as asking questions, listening, storytelling, and being empathetic can function like superpowers and I think they will even more in the coming years.
What will help Sales Representative Supervisors increase their earning potential?
Eric Gjerdevig: Learning doesn't stop when you graduate. How jobs are done will continue to evolve more quickly with advancing technology. To excel you need to continue to learn, develop new skills, and be adaptive.
Director Dave Payne M.S.
Associate Professor of Practice / SalesUniversity of Akron
Specialized Sales, Merchandising And Marketing Operations
What general advice would you give to a Sales Representative Supervisor?
Director Dave Payne M.S.: Planning, practice, and skills are the keys to a successful career launch. Practice and coaching feedback will build competence, which builds confidence and sales performance success.
What Sales Representative Supervisor skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Director Dave Payne M.S.: Skills and competence are king! Sales professionals are paid a commission and bonus based on "sales performance" results...this will continue to drive top sales reps and managers to earn some of the highest incomes in the country. I am very proud to share that U Akron sales graduates have had a nearly 100% job placement rate for over a decade, with some of the highest starting incomes in the state of Ohio. This is directly tied to the gracious support of the 30 Fisher Institute for Professional Selling corporate partners which hire them every semester.
What will help Sales Representative Supervisors increase their earning potential?
Director Dave Payne M.S.: As Director of the Fisher Institute, sales education professor and sales coach for the UA sales competition team, I look for three basic characteristics in our sales students. I look for "likability", "coachability" and "hunger for success". Here at U Akron, we are on the cutting edge of pioneering sales research and next level sales education utilizing AI, infrared technology, and biometrics/ physiological responses to sales stress. Skills are king... creating a new system for sales practice, AI feedback and repetition will be the game changer. Advancing skills to make a 21-year-old sales graduate to exhibit the skills and talent to appear ten years more experienced will be very attractive to hiring companies. This is happening at Akron next semester.
What Sales Representative Supervisor skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Meagan Glasco M.S., M.R.: New graduates can optimize their salary potential by employing three key strategies. First, doing research into their value in the job market and the specific role they're pursuing enables informed negotiation. Second, possessing the ability to articulate their value through highlighting relevant skills and experiences enhances their bargaining position. Finally, integrating their research and communication skills into self-advocacy during the job search and when negotiating job offers will help new graduates optimize their salary potential.
What will help Sales Representative Supervisors increase their earning potential?
Meagan Glasco M.S., M.R.: I encourage graduates to connect with professionals in their field through LinkedIn, networking events, and/or alumni connections at their schools. Graduates can initiate conversations and schedule coffee or Zoom meetings to learn about roles in their industry of choice. Engaging with professionals currently working in graduates’ industry of choice will provide invaluable insight into essential skills, refine their career interests, and expand their network. The opportunity to hear real-life experiences shared by professionals is irreplaceable for graduates beginning their careers.
Jon-Paul McCool
Associate Professor of Geography; Environmental Science Program CoordinatorValparaiso University
Natural Resources Conservation And Research
What general advice would you give to a Sales Representative Supervisor?
Jon-Paul McCool: In terms of technical skills, the ability to utilize GIS for more than basic mapping. The ability to do more in depth analytical processes and to utilize the mobile components to the software. However, employers are stressing the need for new employees to have drive and individual initiative. Soft skills associated with independence, and the ability to learn on your own are going to be essential.
What Sales Representative Supervisor skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Jon-Paul McCool: It is important to remember that the only person who can push your career forward is you. You have to go to places and events to get exposure to opportunities and you have to be willing to potentially move and learn new things. You really have to want to move forward with your career and you have to take a vested interest in it by pursuing additional learning opportunities such as workshops, joining professional organizations and attending meetings, volunteering, etc. A degree alone only distinguishes you from those who didn't graduate. How are you going to stand out compared to the thousands of others graduating across the country with the same major?
What will help Sales Representative Supervisors increase their earning potential?
Jon-Paul McCool: Utilize your time as an undergraduate student to set yourself apart. Do some kind of research project that can show your ability to do more than only the assigned work in classes. Utilize your summers to gain additional experience by working relevant jobs and internships. To all extents possible, do not limit yourself spatially. Be willing to travel to far flung locations, at least for a few years, to gain relevant experience after graduating rather than being tied to one specific location or region. You are far more employable with a couple years experience rather than straight out of school.
Timothy Kneeland
Professor and Chair History, Politics, and LawNazareth College of Rochester
History
What Sales Representative Supervisor skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Timothy Kneeland: Take every opportunity that you can to learn new skills and to take initiative in different situations. Do not shy away from taking on new tasks that could lead to a promotion or could be invaluable in a later career.
Try to remember that institutions change slowly and that if you are smart, personable, and persistent, you can be the one to make beneficial changes to the organization that hired you. You have to build trust and relationships first.
Network! Go out of your way to meet people in your organization. Spend time having lunch with people. Get to know them and, if possible, find a mentor in your new position.
Ken Corbit Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Professional Practice in MarketingTexas Christian University
Specialized Sales, Merchandising And Marketing Operations
What general advice would you give to a Sales Representative Supervisor?
Ken Corbit Ph.D.: Strategic
Company Selection:
Focus on joining companies with robust sales training programs, emphasizing consultative selling. Look for organizations that invest in your development, providing live calling experiences, quota-driven sales processes, and exposure to tools like Salesforce.
Tech
Proficiency and Sales Tools Mastery:
Familiarize yourself with cutting-edge sales technologies, including CRM tools like Salesforce. Your proficiency in these tools will not only streamline your sales processes but also position you as a tech-savvy professional in the competitive sales landscape.
Hands-On
Experience:
Actively engage in live calling, take ownership of sales funnels, and work with senior hiring authorities during your training. This hands-on experience will not only build your confidence but also prepare you for the challenges of consultative selling.
Research
and Decision-Making Skills:
Develop strong research skills to evaluate companies based on fit, growth opportunities, compensation structures, and overall potential. This informed decision-making approach will set you apart and empower you to navigate the sales landscape strategically.
Mentorship
and Networking:
Seek mentorship both within and outside your organization. Building relationships with mentors who invest in your sales skills and knowledge will provide valuable insights. Additionally, actively participate in online forums to connect with practical sales
knowledge and best practices.
What Sales Representative Supervisor skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Ken Corbit Ph.D.: AI-Integrated Consultative Selling: Recognize the evolving role of AI in sales. Embrace AI tools that enhance your pre-call preparation, role-playing, agenda setting, and call talk track development. Stay ahead by incorporating AI into your sales strategies to deliver personalized and efficient client engagements.
What will help Sales Representative Supervisors increase their earning potential?
Ken Corbit Ph.D.: Holistic
Knowledge Mastery:
Become an expert in your industry, staying abreast of market trends, and thoroughly understanding the products/services you sell. This comprehensive knowledge will empower you to provide exceptional value, resulting in higher sales success and increased client
retention.
Strategic
Question-Based Selling:
Master the art of question-based selling. Use insightful questions to uncover client needs, address pain points, and tailor your approach. This strategic skill will not only boost initial sales but also contribute to secondary sales and long-term client satisfaction.
Compensation
Structure Expertise:
Understand your organization's compensation structure thoroughly. This includes baseline compensation, commission and bonus plans, and additional benefits. This knowledge allows you to set realistic targets, maximize your earnings, and take full advantage
of uncapped commission structures.
Consistent
Target Achievement:
Consistently meet or exceed targets and quotas to demonstrate your value. This not only enhances your immediate success but also positions you for continuous earning potential, especially in roles with uncapped commissions.
Negotiation
and Value Recognition:
Develop negotiation skills to ensure you are compensated appropriately. Recognize your worth and, when appropriate, discuss compensation adjustments or additional benefits with your employer. A proactive approach to recognizing and articulating your value
contributes to your overall salary potential.
In a rapidly evolving sales landscape, continuous learning, tech adaptability, and proactive career management are fundamental for achieving sustained success in consultative sales.
Frederik Beuk
Associate Professor of MarketingUniversity of Akron
Specialized Sales, Merchandising And Marketing Operations
What general advice would you give to a Sales Representative Supervisor?
Frederik Beuk: The key consideration is whether you really want to maximize your initial salary. For instance, envision two job opportunities: one offering a salary of $50,000 per year, where you'd be the most junior team member, and the other providing $75,000 per year, with the caveat that you would be the sole sales representative for the firm. The optimal choice is to prioritize learning opportunities. In this context, being the lone salesperson for a company that compensates its highest-earning sales professional $75,000 might not be your superior option. Instead, seek a position that offers the greatest potential for learning. Subsequently, demonstrate your negotiating prowess, a critical sales skill, by securing a slightly higher salary. However, it's essential not to fixate on maximizing your starting salary. Your career requires a long-term strategy, and you have several decades ahead of you to maximize income.
What Sales Representative Supervisor skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Frederik Beuk: Digital Literacy and AI are obviously on everybody's mind. The benefit for early career professionals is that these are skills they can use to differentiate themselves from more established professionals. Embrace these tools. At the same time, being an authentic storyteller that helps buyers envision the potential of your solutions can be an extremely powerful skill.
What will help Sales Representative Supervisors increase their earning potential?
Frederik Beuk: Digital Literacy and AI are obviously on everybody's mind. The benefit for early career professionals is that these are skills they can use to differentiate themselves from more established professionals. Embrace these tools. At the same time, being an authentic storyteller that helps buyers envision the potential of your solutions can be an extremely powerful skill.
C. Darren Brooks Ph.D.
Assistant Department Chair and Executive Director, Center for Human Resource ManagementFlorida State University
Department of Management and the Center for Human Resource Management
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Sales Representative Supervisor job market given the pandemic?
C. Darren Brooks Ph.D.: The positive is that many companies are recruiting and hiring. The most noticeable trend is the is the impact of remote work and more specifically, how this has changed the nature in which many companies are interviewing, onboarding of new employees, and employee mobility. In terms of interviewing, interacting with potential employers via web-enable platforms requires job applicants to be attuned to details such as lighting, sound volume, environmental distractions that are not common with in-person interviews. Additionally, many employment events such as job fairs are virtual resulting in a much different experience for both the applicant and the employer. Getting comfortable with communicating in a clear and cogent way remotely is a key skill to develop. In fact, our Career Center at Florida State offers job search and interviewing sessions to help students and alumni develop better virtual interviewing skills.
Onboarding is another area that has seen a change as a result of the pandemic. While onboarding new employees through online programs what is a more recent change is the lack of physical support during the onboarding process. We know that onboarding is a critical period for employees as they are getting to know the company, job expectations, culture, how work is done, etc. Managing the onboarding process in a remote environment requires more deliberate action on the part of HR, supervisors, and the employee. In other words, we cannot rely on an employee walking down the hall to ask questions about an assignment or who to contact to obtain essential job information. Planned, regularly schedule interactions during the first few months to ensure expectations are understood, that the employee feels a part of the organization, and job-related questions can be addressed can help to alleviate feelings of uncertainty, frustration, stress, and alienation.
Lastly, we have noticed employment mobility decreasing over the past four to five years. In fact, data on migration and geographic mobility monitored by the U.S. Census found that as recently as 2018 only 9.8 percent of adults reported relocating which is down 10.2 percent from 1985[1]. Based on my research and consulting work, there are numerous reasons for this trend. First, individuals are making family-based choices not to move based on family considerations such as being nearby to assist with an aging parent or having a desire to stay close to family. Second, work and family balance have emerged as a key factor when deciding to relocate for work. More specifically, the decision to relocate for a job is no longer driven solely by financial reasons. Stability in the home and the need to accommodate the needs of other family members is equally important, such as dual income earning households or the illness of an elderly parent. Consequently, this complicates the decision-making process of whether to move. Lastly, communication and networking technology have enabled work to be performed without necessitating physical presence at a particular location. Given the psychological and financial costs of relocating and the fact that many jobs are being performed remotely, individuals are more likely to make decisions not to relocate and disrupt their personal lives because of their ability to connect to work via technology.
This is not to say that people are unwilling to relocate for work. However, it does mean that, as a result of more organizations moving work remotely, employers may have more challenges in relocating talent in the foreseeable future. In some instances, it may require employers increase salaries or enhance benefits in order to attract employees to move. Another option is for employers to establish offices in secondary cities outside the home office location. This option may afford an employee the opportunity to be closer to their preferred geography. For example, an individual living in Birmingham, AL may not be willing to relocate to Chicago due to factors such as the higher cost of living, family considerations or the weather but would be willing to move to Atlanta, GA or Charlotte, NC. Having a secondary office in one of these cities may be an acceptable alternative. Lastly, being flexible to hybrid location alternatives. While this is generally applied to certain types of jobs, allowing an employee to work remotely two or three weeks out of the month at home, then one-week in the company office may offer an opportunity to balance the needs of both the employer and the employee.
[1] Agovino, T. (2020). Americans aren't moving: The decline in worker mobility presents a challenge for employers in a tight labor market. Retrieved on December 11, 2020, SHRM
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Sales Representative Supervisor job market given the pandemic?
Dr. Miguel Olivas-Luján Ph.D.: As the economy "reopens" (thanks to appeased fears of contagion driven by vaccination, herd immunity, people worn out by the lockdowns, warmer weather, etc.), we should see workforce adjustments across industries and occupations. Already in March, unemployment was returning to 6% (from a high of 14.8% in April 2020, but after a low of 3.5 in February 2020; https://data.bls.gov/timeseries/LNS14000000). Barring unexpected resistance in the virus variants or other influences, the summer and fall months should give us better job market numbers, but this recovery seems to be benefitting some population segments more than others. The unemployed rate for teenagers was at 13%, followed by Blacks (9.6%), Hispanics (7.9%), Asians (6%), adult men (5.8%), and adult women (5.7%; more detail is available at https://www.bls.gov/news.release/empsit.nr0.htm).
Felicia Hodges
InstructorSUNY New Paltz
Deptment of Digital Media and Journalism
What will help Sales Representative Supervisors increase their earning potential?
Felicia Hodges: Flexibility and willingness to adapt will help all media practitioners increase their earning potential. If you are a photojournalist who shoots still images for print and/or online publications, get familiar with video. If you are passionate about covering crime or government beats, have more than a working knowledge of sports and education, too. Heck, learn photojournalism basics! In other words, versatility is necessary and it will be expected.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Sales Representative Supervisors?
Felicia Hodges: I think there will definitely be fallout from the pandemic for soon-to-be graduates simply because it has been such a difficult year - and it ain't over yet. Maybe the hard, fast, "deadlines are sacrosanct!" imprints that were par for the non-COVID course haven't been so much lately, as a bulk of pandemic life has been about accounting for what students might have been/are dealing with due necessary COVID-induced work or lifestyle changes. And because many of the "real world" training/trial outlets weren't available (i.e. school print publications had to shift schedules or halt publishing altogether as staffs weren't able to meet in person; internships were non-existent or done almost entirely virtually, etc.), there weren't concrete ways to help students put the theories of what they learned in the classroom to practical use. It may be a steep learning curve for the newly-degreed journalism (as well as other media) practitioners.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Sales Representative Supervisors?
John Tobon: Yes, the enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on graduates will be how and where they will work. The pandemic forced employers to overlook their reluctance to telework arrangements in order to survive. The biggest change will come in government employment where all but the most sensitive positions will enjoy greater flexibility. This will also mean less travel for in-person meetings, as more people become more comfortable with video conferencing and as the technology becomes more secure and intuitive to the users, business travel will be reserved for only the most necessary activities.
What's a day at work look like for a Sales Representative Supervisor?
John Tobon: In the near term the work day will look a lot like online learning. Everything, starting with onboarding of employees has transitioned online. Newly hired employees may not meet their supervisors and co-workers in person for several months, if ever. There will be more real time online collaboration and greater need for proficiency in the use of communication software. Graduates may not necessarily live in the city where their employer is located, this will provide greater freedom to employees but it will also increase the level of competition for some positions. In the long term, workplace will look different. As a cost savings measure, companies will maximize the amount of offsite work that can be performed by implementing hybrid models that incorporate maximum telework arrangements.
What will help Sales Representative Supervisors increase their earning potential?
John Tobon: In the field of federal law enforcement the two growing needs are computer forensics and forensic accounting. Every law enforcement agency is in dire need of these skills, all criminal cases require forensic analysis of multiple devices such as phones, tablets, and computers. The demand for these skills far outweighs the current number of personnel available to perform the analysis. The complexity of the financial system has made tracing of ill-gotten gains a serious challenge even to the most experienced investigators. There is also greater emphasis on identifying the means and methods employed by criminal organizations and their co-conspirators to conceal illicit proceeds. The move to create greater transparency in beneficial ownership registries will create a flood of information that will require the unique skill set of forensic accountants to achieve success.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Sales Representative Supervisor job market given the pandemic?
Rob Sentz: Ultimately the pandemic is a blip that is accelerating some changes that were already in the market. More people and companies are opting for remote work and tech skills remain vitally important. What I think people really need to understand is that what we saw in 2020 was an accelerate to a broad set of trends that were already in place, but likely not being noted amongst many people in the labor market:
- Yes, we have experienced the loss of millions of jobs, but we have also seen the labor force participation rate decline at an even faster rate. This means that there are fewer working age adults interested in work than we have ever seen
- As huge numbers of baby boomers retire, they are going to leave millions of open positions that will be hard-to-fill
- Many sectors today (logistics, healthcare, tech, core business functions (like sales, marketing, CS, finance, HR, and operations), education, skilled trades, and public safety are desperate for talent.
- The replacement rate for workers isn't as great as the need for labor
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