What skills and attributes do I need to work in field sales?
LOVE being out and about? Like to meet new people? Keen to earn well over £100k?
Then check out a career in field sales.
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What do you do in a field sales job?
Also known as ‘territory sales’ or ‘outside sales, ’ it’s a traditional sales role in which you sell products or services face-to-face by meeting with customers in person.
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As a field sales rep, your job will be to find new customers, meet with potential customers to generate leads, encourage purchases and maintain relationships with existing customers.
Depending on what you are selling, you might even collect orders, ensure the correct products are available, and order more stock.
How much do field sales roles pay?
Like most sales positions, field sales tend to pay a basic salary and a high level of commission, so the more you sell, the more you earn.
Average pay packets can range from £28,000 for a first job to £140,000 for a top salesperson in a high-value industry such as tech.
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Average salaries are between £40,000 to £60,000, so well above the national average.
What skills and attributes do I need to work in field sales?
Sales is all about your personality.
It’s a people job where you connect with your customers and then influence and persuade them to buy from you.
You need to understand how to communicate with potential customers, instigate meetings by leading conversations, and then close the sale face-to-face.
It requires confidence and the ability to really research and understand the product you are selling, so you can answer any queries professionally.
In addition, you also need to manage the sales pipeline, so being organised and good at admin tasks is a distinct advantage too.
What qualifications do I need to get into a field sales job?
While there are no set qualifications for becoming a field sales executive, most entry-level jobs ask for GCSEs in English and Maths.
If you have related sales experience, no matter what field, that helps get your foot in the door too.
Sales roles in high-value industries such as pharma and tech may ask for a degree in a related field.
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For those looking to move up the career ladder to become a sales manager or director, you can study with the Institute of Sales Professionals at .