Becoming a Sales Executive

A sales executive is someone who sells their company’s services or goods to their existing customer and garners new customers. Sales executives work in many different industries such as:

• Pharmaceutical and healthcare industry
• Food and beverages
• Stationary and office supplies
• IT hardware and software
• Cleaning and sanitation supplies
• Financial services
• Industrial supplies
• Media supplies
• Clothes and apparel
• Toys
• Advertising

Roles and Responsibilities of a Sales Executive

• Researching and developing markets
• Developing and maintaining a client base
• Product presentation
• Listening to consumer requirements
• Making good sales
• Negotiating terms of the contract
• Maintaining contact with clients in person and via email and telephone
• Representing the company at trade shows
• Maintaining customer satisfaction
• Providing feedback to employers
• Attending team meetings
• Fulfilling ongoing training goals
• Reviewing sale performance to meet or exceed targets

A career in this field can be demanding but it does pay a good salary. If you want to become a sales executive, here are some things you need to know.

Get an undergraduate degree – in order to become a sales executive, the first thing you need in an undergraduate degree. The degree should focus on business, advertising or marketing. Alternatively, sale executives may have an undergraduate degree in a field related to the industry they intend to enter. For example, if you wish to become a sales executive for a pharmaceutical company, an undergraduate degree in science would be helpful.

Gains sales experience – before you can become a sales executive you need to have experience in sales. Companies hiring sales executives are generally looking for someone with at least five years sales experience. Though not all, most companies tend to prefer someone with sale’s experience in their particular industry, so bear this in mind when you start looking for entry level sales jobs.

Fulfill executive sales training – executive sales training is usually provided by the company. This enables them to be sure that members of their executive team know exactly how to follow their specific procedures. You may however complete executive training (such as an executive MBA) independently. This option shows initiative and ambition and will impress prospective employers.