Sales Representative
Sales Representatives help customers find the products they want. They also process payments and returns.
How to Write a Summary for a Sales Representative
- Mention your previous experience. What industries have you worked in (i.e., clothing, food, jewelry)? How many customers did you engage with on the average day?
- Describe your greatest strength. Are you friendly? Knowledgeable about your products?
- Explain what you’re eager to accomplish in the next stage of your career. Are you hoping to become a manager one day? Are you working towards a degree in business or a different field?
How to List Your Work Experience as a Sales Representative
- Use reverse chronological format. List your most recent jobs first, as this shows managers how you’ve gained experience in the industry.
- Use action verbs related to being a Sales Representative. Verbs are critical to demonstrating what you can do for the company. Review the following list for some powerful examples.
- Assisted
- Delivered
- Demonstrated
- Ensured
- Greeted
- Helped
- Identified
- Maintained
- Operated
- Provided
- Scanned
- Stocked
- Welcomed
- Worked
See our list of over 350 action verbs to find more.
Senior Level Work Experience as a Sales Representative
- Identified creative and fun ways to motivate employees, including team meetings with games about product knowledge and professionalism
- Lead 40+ employees and demonstrated the qualities of positive attitude and professionalism
- Trained and developed 26 team members on product inventory, customer service techniques, and payment processes
- Possessed a thorough knowledge of store services, including payment methods, safety standards, cleanliness standards and product availability
- Handled daily supervision of shifts for 40 employees, including scheduling, breaks, customer service, and operational flow
- Developed and maintained product selection and inventory levels by ordering from vendors when necessary
- Greeted customers warmly and immediately offered assistance
- Trained on cash register software, including merchandise returns, refunds, and gift cards
- Provided customers with information and features of the products
- Assisted customers with ordering products online when the merchandise wasn’t on the store floor
- Assisted and advised customers on product uses and complementary items
Junior Level Work Experience as a Sales Representative
- Welcomed customers into self-checkout and provided assistance as needed
- Scanned and bagged all customer items efficiently, neatly, and in compliance with safety standards and company best practices
- Worked efficiently to minimize customer wait time while maintaining guest service and accuracy
- Advised the customer on current and upcoming brand launches, store activities, and events
- Showed customers how to use Wallet and the other features and offerings within the App
- Returned customer items and followed register prompts without assistance
- Solved customer dissatisfaction independently while following company policies and procedures
- De-escalated any negative situations and recovered the customer shopping experience while following company policies and procedures
- Delivered easy and seamless service to all Order Pick Up, Drive Up, Registry, and Photo guests
- Maintained a clean, clutter free work area (including gathering abandoned items, baskets, and hangers)
- Stocked supplies during store open hours while still being available for the customer
- Said thank you after every customer interaction and ensured that every customer left the store satisfied with their shopping experience
- Demonstrated a culture of ethical conduct, safety, and compliance
Junior Level Work Experience as a Sales Representative (Continued)
- Answered customer questions about policies, services, and products
- Returned carts to store frontends and cleaned carts before giving them to customers
- Greeted customers and assisted them with locating products
- Operated cash registers while adhering to store policy on returns and coupons
- Returned unwanted merchandise to shelves and rotated stock as needed
- Ensured the immediate removal of damaged or expired wares
- Maintained effective merchandise presentation, including undamaged goods and appropriate point of sale displays
- Ensured cleanliness of departments and workstation
- Promoted various company products like extended warranties and store credit card offers
- Operated the cash register and rang up customer purchases throughout the day
How to List Your Skills as a Sales Representative
Sales Representatives need to be friendly towards customers and knowledgeable about their products.
- Customer Service Skills
- Interpersonal Skills (i.e., a friendly and outgoing personality)
- Math Skills
- Persistence
- Selling Skills
- Product Knowledge
- Time Management
- Team Collaboration
How to List Your Education as a Sales Representative
Sales Representatives do not require a degree, or even a high school diploma -- unless you’re interested in selling items like cars or jewelry. Management positions do require that you have a college degree in business, management, or a similar field. They receive on-the job training, either by senior employees or by the organization’s formal training program.
Requirements to be a Sales Representative vary by state but generally involve the following:
- High School Diploma, GED, or college degree (depending on the business and items you’re selling)
- Complete a background check
Certifications are not necessary, but can improve your resume:
- RISE Up Sales Certifications has different levels, ranging from entry-level employees to senior sales representatives. It helps sales representatives understand the basics of store operations, inventory control, merchandising, sales, and customer service
- Certified Inside Sales Professional (CISP) for sales executives and account managers
- Certified Professional Sales Person (CPSP) sales executives, CEOs and sales professionals. This certification helps professionals develop sales habits, create and use a "personal identity," and develop communications and influencer skills.
- Certified Sales Leadership Professional (CSLP) consists of e-learning courses, in-person workshops, an exam and role-related requirements.
- HubSpot Inbound Sales is for sales professionals who identify potential buyers, create strategies for reaching those buyers, and build custom presentations.
Find more information about certifications here.
Sales Representative Career Overview
Job Outlook
The job outlook for Sales Representatives is declining at 2% per year. In 2018 there were 4,768,900 jobs available.
Average Salary
Sales Representatives make $25,440 per year on average. However, salaries could be as high as $26.97/hour depending on experience and the company for which you work.
Top Paying Salaries by State
- $36,520 -- District of Columbia
- $35,520 -- Washington
- $34,230 -- Connecticut
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