If you enjoy the thrill of closing a sale and talking to lots of people, then a career as a sales executive could be right path for you. Sales executives are the key point of contact between a company and its clients. They promote products and services to customers and negotiate contracts, amongst other tasks, to improve profits for the organisation. Take a look below to see a full job description for a sales executive.
What does a sales executive do?
A sales executive builds business by developing and managing relationships with customers, identifying and selling solutions to their problems, whether it be a product or a service.
Other responsibilities might include:
- Maintaining quality service by establishing and enforcing company standards through customer service
- Identifying product or service improvements or new products, by adapting to commercial and competitor trends
- Preparing reports by collecting, analysing and summarising information
- Selling products to new or existing clients and establishing solutions to their business problems
- Finding business opportunities by identifying prospects and evaluating their position their in the industry
- Working in a team by accomplishing related results as needed
What qualifications do you need to become a sales executive?
Any degree subject is acceptable for a sales degree, although relevant qualifications are preferred for some positions – e.g. if you completed a medical degree, this might be helpful with the likes of a medical recruitment role.
Relevant experience like customer service or being in contact with the general public will also be useful. Relevant qualifications might include NVQ Level 4 in Sales Management, Level 5 Diploma in sales and Account Management (ISMM), or/and a Level 6 Executive Diploma in Strategic Sales and Account Management.
What skills do you need to become a sales executive?
If you are resilient, have great communication skills, and a confident attitude, you could thrive in this role. Other skills that will benefit the job include:
- The ability to present your ideas or demonstrate a service or product to a group of people
- The ability to develop strong client relationships
- Negotiation skills
- Be self-motivated and driven
- A competitive nature
- Prospecting skills
- Hitting sales targets
- Being creative and proactive
- Ability to work independently
Working conditions
As a sales executive, you will likely be based in an office but will also be required to travel frequently to meet customers, and you may be required to attend events for networking purposes. Sales office hours can be long, any time from 7:30am – 7:00pm. If you work in a call centre, it could be longer.
How much does a sales executive earn?
The average salary for a sales executive are as follows:
Starting salary: £23,000
Average salary: £35,386.87
Experienced salary: £52,500
Glassdoor data suggests that the average salary for a sales executive in London is: £25,686
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10 ways to stay motivated when jobseeking in sales
To keep on track until your ideal account manager or field sales role is in the bag, it’s vital to stay focused and positive.
How do I return to sales after a career break?
There are numerous reasons why sales professionals might take a break from the profession, and return later in their life. There may be family commitments, a desire to work abroad for a while, or to try something different such as teaching or setting up an ecommerce business.
A key skill that will contribute to your success – Self Talk
Often self-talk happens without you even realising it and can be a subtle running commentary going on in the background of your mind. But what you say in your mind can determine a lot of how you feel about who you are, as a sales person or as a sales manager
Do hobbies help or hinder a sales CV?
Opinions are divided on whether there is any purpose to the ‘interests’ section of a CV. The traditional view is that your hobbies and pastimes show something of you as a person and demonstrate how rounded you are which could help in your sales job application.
I’ve tailored my CV but still can’t get a sales job interview
We all know how important it is for job applicants to tailor their CV or online application to the specific sales job, rather than send generic details about themselves. But increasingly – as more and more people apply for each advertised vacancy – those who apply for sales jobs they are fully qualified for, are finding that even this isn’t working in their favour.
Sales Advice: Preventing buyers’ resistance to sales people
What can sales professionals do to at least lower the resistance barriers to making a choice? We may not have caused that resistance ourselves, but we certainly have to face up to it every day. We have to do everything we can to minimise indifference and negative pre-disposition to our sales approach. What can we do to help prospects welcome us rather than resist us?
