Telephone Sales Representative Job Description

Because telephone sales reps conduct most of their work over the phone, they can work in the office or at home.

Sales is a crucial component to any business’ marketing strategy. When selling a new product or service, telephone sales representatives are the professionals who educate, promote and sell products to prospects and customers. Sales representatives target both consumers and organizations, and can work for one company or several depending on whether they're employed by a corporation or an independent sales firm.

Function

Telephone representatives inform, assist and persuade customers, companies and organizations to purchase products and services from their company. For example, telephone sales representatives working for a retailer may call customers to renew their service contract or upgrade to new software. Representatives explain product features and pricing, as well as policies and procedures in terms of exchanges, returns and renewals. These professionals also cancel sales contracts, collect customer feedback, enter contact information into internal databases and report on sales activities.

Work Environment

Telephone sales representatives typically work a 40-hour week; however, it is common for representatives to work part-time schedules due to the flexibility of their job. Because they primarily work over the telephone, sales representatives can work in the office, at home or on the road. They usually receive commission pay for the number of products they sell or customers they enroll. As a result, the job can be stressful due to sales targets and quotas that must be met monthly, quarterly and annually.

Skills

It is imperative that telephone sales representatives have good telephone etiquette and oral communication skills. Candidates should be amiable, friendly, professional and confident when speaking with prospects and customers over the phone. Computer skills are required, since telephone sales workers use internal databases and other company systems to record and track contacts and customer information. Telephone sales representatives should also be patient, dedicated and goal-oriented.

Salary

The average telephone sales representative salary is $29,000 per year, according to a June 2010 Indeed.com report. Salaries for these workers vary due to factors such as region, employer size, industry, commission rates and experience level. For example, Indeed.com states that sales telephone reps in New York City earned $34,000 per year during the same period.

Potential

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) predicted in its “Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2010-11 Edition” that jobs for wholesale and manufacturing sales representatives will increase seven percent through 2018. This growth will be due to economic expansion and the introduction of more products and services in the marketplace. In addition, the BLS stated that job opportunities will be greatest in independent sales firms, which help companies maintain low overhead costs.

References

• True Green: Inside Telephone Sales Representative
• Indeed: Telephone Sales Rep Salary
• Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2010-11 Edition