Looking for a new job as a field sales representative? Building a field sales team? Whether your goal is to build a career in sales or make your living managing a remote sales team, here's everything you need to know about becoming or managing a field sales representative.
- What Is a Field Sales Representative
- Field Sales Representative Job Description
- Field Sales Representative Salary
- Field Sales Representative Education Level, Experience, and Qualifications
- Field Sales Representative Job Listings
What Is a Field Sales Representative?
Field sales, or outside sales, is the process by which companies visit leads and sell to them in person. Field sales representatives typically work for B2B and wholesale organizations whose sales processes rely on relationship-building and long-term contracts.
Field sales reps are especially effective with these long-term accounts, since they can visit customers on a recurring basis to perform maintenance, place replenishment orders, or take any other initiative necessary to keep the client happy and maximize profitability.
Field Sales Representative Job Description
Job Brief:
Seeking an experienced field sales representative to attract new clients, win new accounts, and maximize profitability within his or her sales territory. Candidates will work prospects through the entire sales cycle, including developing new leads, educating prospects, and turning interested shoppers into long-term customers.
Responsibilities:
- Close new deals at a high rate
- Build relationships with existing customers
- Cultivate new leads within the sales territory
- Travel throughout the territory and visit customers on a recurring basis
- Manage multiple accounts simultaneously
- Maintain records of all sales leads and/or customer accounts
- Represent the brand during all customer and prospect interactions
- Educate customers on how products or services can benefit them financially and professionally
- Monitor the company’s industry competitors, new products, and market conditions.
Field Sales Representative Salary
The average salary for a field sales representative nationwide is $43,688, according to Glassdoor. However, pay varies widely depending on a rep's location. For example, field sales representatives in Boston average $55,000 a year, while reps in Los Angenes make just under $50,000.
Data from Glassdoor's anonymous salary reports.
Field Sales Representative Education, Skills, and Experience
Qualified field sales representatives should have a high school diploma, and typically hold a bachelor's degree in business, communications, marketing, economics, or a similar field.
At many companies, however, skills and experience outweigh education when it comes to qualifying candidates, especially because product expertise is typically learned on the job. Here's a list of some of the most important skills and qualities for field sales representatives:
Qualities of Effective Field Sales Representatives:
- Comfortable on the phone
- Competitive attitude
- Conversational/interpersonal skills
- Sharp sales chops
- Able to work independently
Field Sales Representative Job Listings
If you feel outside sales is right for you, find a variety of job openings for this positions on Monster, Indeed, and LinkedIn.
