Job sheet

Sales: job, missions and salary

Sales roles and responsibilities

The roles and tasks of a sales representative are extremely varied, ranging from finding new customers to building and managing relationships with existing ones. Here are some of the main responsibilities and tasks that are part of a sales rep's job:

  • Making contact with potential new customers and developing business relationships.
  • Establish long-term business relationships with existing customers.
  • Assess the needs and interests of current and potential customers.
  • Find innovative and creative ways to reach and retain target customers.
  • Plan and organize meetings and presentations with customers.
  • Listen to and understand customers' wishes and preferences, and find appropriate solutions.
  • Prepare commercial offers and presentations.
  • Negotiate contracts and rates.
  • Monitor sales and customer progress.
  • Write reports and sales documents with up-to-date data.
  • Respond to customer requests and questions.
  • Implement marketing and promotional plans for product or service.
  • Participate in meetings, trade shows and other promotional events.

In short, the roles and missions of a sales representative are essential to the development of the company and to achieving sales targets. The quality of a salesperson's work has a direct impact on the company's success.

Salary and career development for salespeople

Sales salaries vary widely, depending on the sector, position and years of experience. It ranges from the minimum wage to several thousand euros a month. Here's a list of gross annual salary evolutions according to years of professional experience for a salesperson in France:

  • 0 to 2 years: between 27,881 and 34,418 euros gross per year ;
  • 2 to 5 years: between 32,745 and 44,087 euros gross per year;
  • 5 to 10 years: between 38,975 and 54,655 euros gross annually;
  • 10 to 15 years: between 47,594 and 70,090 euros gross annually;
  • Over 15 years: between 56,431 and 87,615 euros gross annually.

Salespeople can also consider career advancement in the following professions:

  • Sector or product manager;
  • Marketing manager ;
  • Sales manager ;
  • Project manager.

These professions offer a wide range of career opportunities, better salary prospects and higher remuneration.

Advantages and disadvantages of the sales profession

Advantages
  • Great opportunities for remuneration and bonuses.
  • Opportunity to travel and meet new people.
  • Upward mobility: possibility of moving up the career ladder or even to another company.
  • Flexibility: possibility of working part-time and/or from home.
  • Work in a dynamic and stimulating environment.
Disadvantages
  • Long working hours and frequent travel can be exhausting.
  • The pressure of sales and targets can be intense.
  • Competition with other salespeople can be intense.
  • Customers can be demanding and hard to please.
  • Performance can be difficult to measure

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