Sales representative
Career outlook for sales representative
UK Salary Ranges
Entry-level
£20,000
£20,000
Experienced
£52,000
£52,000
Currently employed in Scotland
7,300
Salary information is provided by the "National Careers Service". "Oxford Economics" supplies job forecasts and employment figures. Due to COVID-19 the jobs market is constantly changing. Some of the information may not reflect the current situation.
What's it like?
You would use your people skills to sell your company’s products or services to businesses, shops or individuals.
Products you could sell include medicines, consumer goods or engineering parts.
You would:
- Make appointments with new and current customers
- Assess your customers’ needs
- Make presentations on new products and special deals
- Look after sales, prices, contracts and payments
- Advise customers about delivery times and after-sales service
- Keep in contact with customers in person and by telephone
- Report your orders to the sales office
- Keep up to date with what your competitors are doing
- Go to conferences and seminars and follow industry trends
- Meet sales targets
- Write reports on sales trends
This job can come with a lot of pressure, as you may have to meet difficult targets. In some jobs you will be paid on commission, which means that for every item you sell you will make more money.
Working conditions
Hours
Environment
Travel
UK employment status
Full-time
81%
Part-time
10%
Self employed
9%
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Find a jobTop skills
Here are some of the skills needed for this job. Sign in to see how your skills match up.
- Positive attitude
- Negotiating
- Managing resources
- Attention to detail
- Verbal communication
- Cooperating
- Networking
- Respecting
- Working with numbers
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Entry requirements for courses can change. Always contact the college, university or training provider to check exactly what you'll need.
Qualifications
Many employers look for a Higher National Certificate (SCQF level 7), a Higher National Diploma (SCQF level 8) or a degree (SCQF level 9/10) in subjects such as:
- Management
- Business
- Marketing
For technical and medical sales a Higher National Diploma or degree relevant to the sector, such as engineering or science, might be needed.
Employers also value relevant work-based experience and qualifications such as a Scottish Vocational Qualification in Retail: Sales Professional (SVQ level 3).
You can enter a Higher National Diploma courses (SCQF level 8) with National 4/5 qualifications and one to two Highers or equivalent qualifications.
To enter a degree (SCQF level 9/10) usually requires National 5 qualifications and a minimum of four Highers or a relevant HNC/HND.
Useful subjects
- English (required by most employers)
- Maths (required by most employers)
- Social studies subjects such as psychology
- Administrative subjects
- ICT subjects
- Business subjects, such as business management
- Design subjects such as fashion and textile technology or design and manufacture
You will also need
There is no single entry route to this profession but previous sales experience and product knowledge is often required.
You will also need a driving licence for some jobs.
Helpful to have
Qualifications and experience in customer services and sales such as Skills for Work Retailing (SCFQ level 5) may also be of value when applying to courses or entry level sales jobs.
You can enhance your employability, prior to becoming a sales representative or once in the job, with Institute of Sales and Marketing Management (ISMM) training and qualifications.