Sales jobs are diverse and rewarding.
Sales jobs are diverse and rewarding. They allow individuals to use their excellent communication skills to help people, but are highly competitive with little guarantee of job security. However, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), an individual may work more than 40 hours a week to make sales goals. An individual may work as a sales engineer, advertising sales agent, insurance sales agent or many other kinds of sales jobs.
Sales Engineer
A sales engineer, also called a technical sales support worker, advises customers and decides the designs and modifications of services and products. The sales engineer explains the benefits of technical or scientific products and services to customers by showing how the products work and why they're better than competitors' brands. The engineer persuades customers to buy products, negotiates sell price and accepts payments. Then the sales engineer sets up or modifies products to suit customers' desires. The engineer may work with customers after the sale by fixing any problems with the service or selling additional products to them.
The sales engineer must have detailed knowledge of products' functions and parts. According to the BLS, working in the sales engineering field requires a bachelor's in engineering or previous sales or technical experience or training. In 2008, according to the BLS, the sales engineer made a median income $83,100 a year.
Advertising Sales Agent
An advertising sales agent, also called advertising account executive, acquires new clients, works with existing clients and sells advertising space to clients. Typically, an advertising sales agent contacts potential clients through cold-calling techniques or by calling or going to companies without an appointment. The agent talks to individuals about promoting their businesses in print publications, websites, direct mail or radio advertisements. If the potential client wants to proceed, the advertising sales agent provides a formal proposal that includes details such as cost, sample advertisements, and how long the advertisement will run in the particular media. The agent also works with existing clients to sell more advertising space and answers any questions or concerns.
An individual only needs a bachelor's degree to enter the field, according to Careers State University. In 2008, the median wage for an advertising sales agent, according to the BLS, was $43,480 a year.
Insurance Sales Agent
An insurance sales agent seeks new clients, sells insurance products and offers advice to clients on insurance needs. The sales agent sells different types of policies such as life, disability, health or automobile insurance. Typically, the agent contacts prospective clients--whether individuals or businesses with employees--about their needs. These needs may be protecting employees' health, providing retirement money or covering property loss. The insurance sales agent also writes reports and keeps records about clients and their policies. Employers prefer applicants with a college degree. The agent must be licensed to practice. According to the BLS, in 2008 the median income for an insurance sales agent was $45,430 a year.
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