If you’re drafting your sales representative job description, you shouldn’t just dive in without a few job market pointers. Your job description helps you receive resumes and applications from compatible professionals, so you want to makes sure it attracts the right kind of professional. To help you accomplish this goal, use the Sales Representative, Other job description sample below.
Sales Representative, Other Job Summary
As a sales representative for Jackie’s Furniture and More, you will be the first point of contact for new and returning customers. You’ll be responsible for helping customers find furniture that suits their needs, budget and taste. You may also be required to negotiate prices within parameters set by the company.
Sales Representative, Other Responsibilities and Duties
- Maintain updated knowledge of floor inventory, including furniture details and customization options.
- Initiate pleasant interactions with customers as they come onto the sales floor.
- Answer customer questions regarding furniture make, model, color options and related information.
- Aid customers in finding excellent matches for their needs.
- Negotiate prices within the company’s acceptable range for each furniture piece.
- Update professional skills and knowledge with professional publications, offered company trainings and participation in professional networks.
Qualifications and Skills
- Associate’s degree or equivalent sales experience
- 2+ years of sales or customer service experience
- Excellent interpersonal skills
- Highly motivated
- Ability to take rejection with a positive attitude
- Knowledge of effective negotiation tactics
Company Profile
At Jackie’s Furniture and More, we are dedicated to providing our local community with long-lasting furniture solutions. Even with large chain stores in the area, we’ve continued to thrive thanks to our equal commitment to customer service and exceptional quality. Our customers may not be able to put their furniture together with just a hammer and a screwdriver, but they also don’t have to worry about a wobbly bookshelf with a cardboard backing. Why? Our pieces are sturdy enough to last for generations.
Because we have such a high commitment to quality, we make sure every member of our sales team is just as dedicated to the customer experience. Every member of our staff is highly motivated and enjoys a good laugh. On those slow days, it always helps to have a great joke in your back pocket and during happy hour, we forget our competitive spirits and enjoy each other’s company. If you meet every challenge with your game face, we want you to be part of our growing sales team. To send in your cover letter and resume, email the documents to humanresources@jackiesfurniture.com.
Best Practices for Writing a Job Description
- As you write your job description, you might find you need to add or modify a section. When you do, just keep these best practices in mind to make sure your description is effective:
- Think like a candidate. If you’ve never been a sales representative, talk with some of your current team members. Ask them about their daily tasks, work environment and any other relevant information. Get a feel for the position and cater your job description accordingly.
- Keep the description short. This shouldn’t read like a training manual, so don’t feel like you should include every daily task or other minor details. Focus on the most important information and try to keep you description under 700 words. This should be plenty of room to say what is need without loosing the attention of your reader.
- Be specific. A vague job description is the easiest way to find your inbox crowded with resumes from under or over qualified candidates. If you are clear about what you expect and what can be expected from you, you’ll have a better chance at finding compatible hires.
- Use bullets. Paragraphs are needed in some sections, but if you can present information clearly using bullets, do so. Bullets are great for economizing space and organizing information in an easy to scan fashion.
- Proofread…again. Catching those little mistakes like misplaced commas or you’re instead of your can be a challenge. However, if you ask a colleague or a friend to read over the description, they’ll probably catch anything you miss. Remember if typos look bad on resumes, they probably won’t do you any favors with your job description.
Sales Representative Job Responsibilities
Successful sales representatives are confident and positive; they are persistent and eager to please. Saying no to resourceful sales reps doesn’t detract them from their goal; they simply try a different approach. When your company needs to add personnel to the sales department, be sure your sales representative job description adequately aims for the confident, resourceful candidates you’re hoping to attract.
Begin the posting by researching keywords associated with “sales representative.” “Sales” tops the search, followed by “business development” and “marketing.” Include these keywords in your sales representative job description so search engines find your ad faster.
In addition, focus the job responsibilities on the primary functions of a sales representative in your organization. You can find out more about the core duties by asking others who work in sales and marketing. Brainstorm together to compile a list of a salesperson’s top priorities, including practical items such as closing sales and intangible details such as providing top-quality customer service.
Here are some ideas for what to include in the sales representative job responsibilities:
- Oversee existing accounts and broaden the market area for increased sales and a wider profit margin
- Provide optimal customer service to retain the current client base and generate new interest
- Analyze market competition and recommend improved products and processes
- Present our product in a variety of venues for extensive exposure and marketplace advantage
Sales Representative Job Specifications
In the job specifications of the sales representative job description, you can identify the previously mentioned characteristics – confidence, persistence and resourcefulness – particular to successful sales representatives. Whereas the job responsibilities section focuses on the successful candidate’s functions in the workplace, the listed qualifications outline your company’s requirements for applicants who aspire to join your sales team.
In the sales representative job description, then, be bold about stating exactly what you hope an applicant will bring to the position. While a candidate’s persistence may be difficult to judge from an application, include in your specifications the merits that demonstrate persistence. For example, if you list “top 10 in regional sales in each quarter throughout the previous year,” you’re asking for candidates who’ve proven their persistence by consistently outperforming others in their region. When you present your requirements specifically, you’re more likely to receive resumes that match your desired qualifications for the new sales representative.
Here are some additional requirements you may choose to include in your sales representative job specifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in a field related to your company’s products or an associate’s degree and five years of experience as a sales representative preferred; will also accept a high school diploma and 7-10 years of experience
- Proven presentation skills at company-wide conferences
- Ability to open, pitch and close sales with confidence
- Top 10 in regional sales for four consecutive quarters