What Is a Sales Representative?

A sales representative promotes and sells products to customers on behalf of a company or organization. They pitch products to potential customers, present new ones to existing customers, and maintain existing customer accounts by ensuring a smooth sales process and customer satisfaction. Sales representatives generally must meet sales goals and report to their sales director. 

Sales representative jobs can be found in many industries, from technology to manufacturing. An inside sales representative works from within an office, whereas an outside sales representative travels to see customers. 

Many sales reps have flexible schedules, with work-from-home options in some cases. For people who enjoy working with others, sales representative jobs can be an attractive career choice. Sales representative jobs can be lucrative and rewarding for a motivated and self-confident self-starter.

How much is a sales representative’s salary?

According to Talent.com [1], the average base salary for a sales representative in Canada is $45,000. This doesn’t include bonuses or commissions, which can make up a significant portion of a sales representative's salary, depending on the products they sell or the company they work for. These salary averages vary widely since the commission earned depends on the product type and industry. Base salaries can also differ by the company's size, industry, experience, and other factors.  

Types of sales representatives

There are typically two types of sales representatives: inside and outside. An inside sales rep works from an office or their own home and contacts customers via phone or email. Outside sales reps are in the field, communicating with customers face-to-face.  

Sales representatives may sell various products, depending on the company and industry. Some types of sales representative jobs include: 

• Wholesale 

• Manufacturing 

• Scientific

• Technical 

• Medical/pharmaceutical  

• Retail

• Food products

How to become a sales representative

Though the path to becoming a sales representative can vary, here are a few tips to help you get started.

Seek entry-level positions first.

Experience in sales or customer service can help you become a sales representative, so seek out entry-level sales positions first. You can gain essential sales and customer service skills in an entry-level position. From there, you may be able to move to a role with a heavier focus on product knowledge. 

Gaining product knowledge

The product training you’ll need to become a sales representative is typically conducted by the company that hires you, though previous experience with similar products certainly helps. This is because each company generally has its own sales department with specific sales goals, target market, and unique products. 

Gain industry knowledge.

Consider the industry in which you’d like to work and research sales representative job requirements and products in that industry. Once you’ve gained experience in sales and customer service and know your target organization or company, you’ll be ready to craft a resume tailored to your preferred industry.

Consider a degree.

A formal degree is not required to become a sales representative, though some organizations may require degrees in related fields. Sales representatives with college degrees may have majored in marketing, business, or a similar field. 

Get certified.

Depending on the industry and product, companies may request sales representatives to obtain specialty certifications, additional off-site training, or manufacturer training. Some products require more in-depth knowledge and formal training. You can also shadow another sales rep better to understand the product(s) and sales process. 

Sales representative skills

A sales representative acts as a sort of bridge between a customer and a company. You need to have a thorough understanding of the product you’re selling and an understanding of the customer to whom you’re selling. It’s important to strike a balance with a customer where you can close a sale without being overly assertive. 

Job-specific skills

• Customer service 

• Product knowledge 

• Closing skills 

• Finding leads and networking

• Cold calling 

• Customer acquisition 

• Knowledge of sales pipeline 

Workplace skills

• Critical thinking 

• Communication 

• Confidence 

• Charisma 

• Good listener 

• Leadership 

• Negotiation

• Presentation skills 

Get started in sales.

Interested in a career in sales? Start building job-ready skills with the Sales Development Representative Professional Certificates from Salesforce on Coursera. Learn at your own pace as you prepare for high-demand roles in tech sales.