The Sales Executive

Sales executives sell products or services to customers. The products could be anything from food to IT equipment, from insurance to cars, from medicines to cosmetics. They may work for a national retailer, for a distributor of one or more specific products or for a manufacturer.

Sales executives sell either business-to-business, which means selling a product or service to another business, or business-to-consumer, which involves selling goods direct to the user.

When they meet a customer, they show catalogues or demonstrate their products, discuss prices and payment plans, suggest accessories, and advise the customer on after-sales service, guarantees and delivery schedules.

Sales executives need to keep records of their orders and invoices, usually on laptops or handheld terminals.

Working hours can be long and irregular, and usually depend on meeting targets for appointments or sales. Sales executives visit customers at their homes or work. The job involves a lot of driving, so a licence is essential in some jobs and an advantage in most.

Starting salaries are from around €18,000 a year and senior executives could earn, with commission, more than €50,000.

A sales executive should be:

• enthusiastic, ambitious and self-confident
• good at communicating with all types of people
• persuasive and good at negotiating
• able to take rejection
• able to work alone and on their own initiative
• interested in the specific products or services they are selling.

There is always a need for skilled sales executives and there are opportunities throughout Ireland and abroad.

There are no set entry qualifications, although most employers do ask for a minimum of Leaving Cert English and Maths or the equivalent. An increasing number of applicants have higher qualifications, and a degree or a Diploma in a subject related to sales, marketing or business may be useful.

Some people may move into a sales role after working in another job within the same company.

The Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM) and The Marketing Institute of Ireland offer entry level qualifications in sales.

Technical sales executives need a thorough knowledge of their products and markets. This expertise and experience may be backed up with an Diploma or a degree in a subject relevant to the products or services they sell.

Some people may start in the career on an Apprenticeship in sales or telesales.

<Most new sales executives receive training on their company’s products, organisation and sales methods. They may work with experienced sales staff until they become familiar with the product and area.

Promotion possibilities depend on sales results. Progression may involve taking on responsibility for a larger area or moving into sales management.

 

What is the work like?

Sales executives, sell products or services to customers. They are known by various other names, including field sales representatives (or reps), account managers and business development managers.

What they sell depends on the company they work for, but could be anything from food to IT equipment, from insurance products to cars, from medicines to cosmetics. They may work for a national retailer, for a distributor, a service provider or for a manufacturer.

Sales executives sell either business-to-business, which means selling a product or service to another business, or business-to-consumer, which involves selling goods direct to the user.

The main sectors are:

 

• consumer goods – selling fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG), such as food and drink, and durable products, such as domestic appliances
• pharmaceuticals – selling medicines to doctors, hospitals and retailers
• IT – selling equipment, software or services
• finance – selling pensions, insurance, mortgages and savings schemes
• technical – selling industrial, specialised or high-tech equipment, materials, components and technical services, often to industry. Technical sales reps often act as consultants between the customer and their own company’s design or production departments.

Business-to-consumer salespeople, also known as direct sales representatives, sell directly to individuals in their homes or businesses, demonstrating products or leaving catalogues for customers to choose from. They also take orders and deliver products.

Many sales executives specialise in selling one kind of product to shops and other retailers, who then sell these products on to their customers. When they meet a customer, they show catalogues or demonstrate their products, discuss prices and payment plans, suggest accessories, and advise the customer on after-sales service, guarantees and delivery schedules.

Their companies rely on them to collect information from customers on the products that sell well and any new products that might be needed in the future.

Sales executives need to keep records of their orders and invoices, the calls they make, and any money they take. This may be done on paper forms, although it is usually carried out on laptop computers or handheld terminals.

Hours and environment

Working hours can be long and irregular, and usually depend on meeting targets for appointments or sales. Administration work is usually carried out between appointments or at home at the end of the day. It may be possible to work part time.<

Sales executives visit customers at their homes, offices or factories. The job involves a lot of driving. If they cover a large area, they may spend most of the week travelling and staying in hotels. When not on the road, they are likely to work in the office or at home.

A driving licence is essential in some jobs and an advantage in most.

Depending on the employer, some overseas travel may be required.

Salary and other benefit

These figures are only a guide, as actual rates of pay may vary depending on the employer and where people live.

• Starting salaries may be from around €18,000 a year.
• Experienced sales executives may earn up to €35,000 a year.
• Senior sales executives could earn, with commission, more than €50,000.

Most sales executives get a basic salary plus commission. Advertised salaries are often shown as OTE (on-target earnings). This is the salary that it is possible to earn when all sales targets are hit. Many sales executives also receive a petrol allowance and a company car.

Skills and personal qualities

Sales executives should be:

• enthusiastic, ambitious and self-confident
• good at communicating with all types of people
• persuasive and good at negotiating
• able to take rejection
• smartly dressed and polite
• knowledgeable about their company’s products and those of their competitors
• able to work alone and on their own initiative
• able to plan a schedule and keep to it
• quick at calculations.

Interests

It is important for a sales executive to have an interest in:

• meeting and negotiating with new people
• the specific products or services they are selling
• achieving sales targets.

Getting in

Sales executives work for manufacturers and distributors in every sector, from foodstuffs and machinery to pharmaceuticals and printing services. Some are self-employed or work freelance, often on a commission-only basis.

There is always a need for skilled sales executives and there are opportunities throughout Ireland and abroad.

Many recruitment agencies specialise in sales, and there is a huge range of websites that advertise and recruit for sales jobs. Posts may also be advertised in magazines and newsletters relevant to particular product types, as well as local and regional newspapers.

Entry routes

There are no set entry qualifications, although most employers do ask for a minimum of Leaving Certificate in English and maths or the equivalent.

Some people may move into a sales role after working in another job within the same company. Experience of dealing with people in another role, such as customer service, can be an advantage.

 Training

Most companies provide training on their products, organisation and the sales methods they use. New sales executives usually work with experienced sales staff until they become familiar with the product and area.

They may also take a range of courses and qualifications in sales.

Getting on

Promotion possibilities for sales executives depend on their sales results. Progression may involve taking on responsibility for a larger area or moving into sales management. Some become national or key account managers, working closely with one or more large organisations and businesses.

There is a range of professional qualifications available to those who wanting to become sales managers. These are offered by organisations such as The Marketing Institute of Ireland.

Technical sales executives sometimes move into product development, research and production. There may be opportunities to work overseas.