Sales Executive: Responsibilities & Career Outlook

In simple terms, sales executives help to drive a business forward by selling their products or services to customers. Sales executives are involved in sales that might be domestic, international or a combination of both. In India, with the rise of job opportunities in the telecom industry, sales executives are one of the most in-demand job roles. As a result, working in big companies is no longer a dream. As of January 2020, Jio Sales Executives are one of the most widely popular job vacancies. 

Apart from addressing potential customers and getting them on board, sales executives aim to sustain good relationships with existing clients as well as gain business opportunities wherever possible.

Duties & Responsibilities

The day to day duties and responsibilities of a sales executive might vary depending on the company they are working for. It is either a B2B structure or a B2C. However, in a general sense, a sales executive is responsible for the following everyday activities:

• Negotiate  price, costs, delivery, as well as specifications with buyers including managers

• Liaise with suppliers to monitor the development of existing orders

• Document sales and order information

• Send sales documents to the office, or enter data into a computer system

• Attend trade exhibitions, events, and other shows

• Encourage future buying trends to employers

• Analyze sales performance and meet targets

• Attend team meetings 

• Hear customer requirements and make a sale

• Support and evolve relationships with existing customers, either in person or via telephone calls and emails

• Conduct cold calls to arrange meetings with potential customers to prospect for new business

• Respond to incoming email and phone inquiries

• Be the contact between a company and it's existing as well as potential markets

• Negotiate the terms of an agreement and close sales

• Collect market and customer information

• Advice on anticipated product developments

• Discuss special promotions

• Formulate specific proposal documents

• Keep a track of the goods on display as well as in stock

• Produce accurate cost calculations and give customers quotations

Qualification & Skills

The job role of a sales executive is an area of work that is open to all graduates. However, a degree is some specific subjects might be an added advantage. For instance, a degree in business, management or marketing is the most highly preferred qualification. In addition, a degree in engineering and technology might also work. Some companies even prefer graduates in media studies. 

Educational qualifications are often less important than temperament, attitude, as well as abilities and other desirable attributes like:

• The flair to sell anything

• Excellent communication skills

• A positive, bold and strong-minded strategy

• Flexibility and the capacity to deal with rejection

• Ambitious and self-motivated to a high degree

• The ability to function both independently as well as part of a team

• Ability to flourish in a competing ecosystem

• Good with numbers

• Fluency in additional language will be a great addition

Career Scope

The field of a sales executive is highly performance-driven. As a result, increments and promotions are normally based on results. This means brisk progress and early promotion is normal for high performers. A great sales track record will generally result in a promotion to:

• Managing more comprehensive customer accounts

• Taking accountability for key products

• Working on national accounts, for instance, marketing to wholesalers

• Taking up the role of a sales executive trainer

• Taking up the role of a sales manager

• Being responsible for a team

Most big organizations have a promotion structure that involves sales executives being promoted to area sales manager, then to national sales manager and ultimately to sales director. Another opportunity is to move out of sales into training and education, or recruitment. Sales executives also have the option to switch to related careers, like advertising, marketing, or public relations.