Sales Jobs in the United Kingdom

Sales Jobs Overview

Sales jobs are found across many industries, including finance, medical, manufacturing, travel, IT, and real estate. Individuals working in sales jobs are responsible for presenting and selling a company's products and services. Sales professionals can also generate leads, negotiate contracts, meet sales goals, and close deals while ensuring customer satisfaction. A career in sales can be highly rewarding, with many opportunities for earning potential and professional advancement.

Sales roles are often entry-level, yet they can develop into advanced career opportunities such as sales manager, account manager, or sales director. A career in sales may be suitable for university graduates or people looking for a side hustle since it provides flexibility and the potential to work from home. If you are ambitious, resilient, and skilled in the art of persuasion, then a job working in sales could be an ideal fit for you.

Your role and job tasks will vary greatly depending on the sector, employer, and level of responsibility. Typical sales job duties may include:

• managing customer enquiries and issues
• contacting new and existing customers
• delivering sales presentations to promote new products
• meeting sales targets
• negotiating contracts
• preparing company reports

You could find yourself working in a sales office or in a call centre. If you don't enjoy sitting behind a desk, you could find yourself on the road selling products or services to other businesses. Some companies may allow you to work from the comfort of your own home.

If you are interested in exploring other types of sales jobs you may want to consider:

• real estate jobs
• telemarketer jobs
• lease jobs

Sales Jobs Education and Skills

You won't need any formal qualifications for most entry-level sales positions, although you may need some GCSEs, including English and maths. In many instances, your personality traits and aptitude for the job may be looked upon as more important than professional qualifications. Some companies may hire those with little to no experience and provide on-the-job training.

For specialised jobs involving the sale of medical equipment, pharmaceutical products, computer software, or engineering, you may be required to hold a related technical degree. A business administration, marketing, or computer science degree may also be preferred.

Depending on the type of sales jobs you are applying to, you could opt for a Level 3 IT technical salesperson higher apprenticeship, Level 4 Sales executive higher apprenticeship, or Level 6 Business to business sales professional degree apprenticeship. You could also earn an apprenticeship in marketing, retail, or customer service to gain helpful experience for attaining this role.

You may want to consider becoming a member of a professional organisation such as the Institute of Sales Management (ISM.) Here, you can earn industry recognised ISM qualifications at Levels 2-6 of the Qualifications and Credit Framework (QCF.)

Employers typically look for candidates with core skills such as:

• excellent communication
• flexibility and adaptability
• customer service
• presentation and negotiation skills
• self-confidence and resilience
• ambition and persistence

Update Your Sales CV

As a sales professional, your CV is your first opportunity to sell yourself to a potential recruiter. Take the time to tailor your CV towards the sales industry, making sure to list all your sales qualifications, soft skills, and achievements. Remember to incorporate relevant keywords and phrases from the job description. Monster has lots of CV templates to peruse, including specific sales job CV examples.

Many applications for sales jobs will require a cover letter, and this is your chance to detail past accomplishments and why you will make an excellent fit for the company. Read our cover letter tips for advice on writing a commendable letter.

Preparing for Your Sales Job Interview

During an interview for a sales position, a hiring manager will be looking for confidence, enthusiasm, and strong sales skills. This is your chance to sell yourself and show off your ability to persuade. You may want to prepare a sales pitch to demonstrate how well you would sell the company's products. It's crucial to research the company beforehand to understand its mission and values. Also, be prepared to talk about the core skills you have to offer, such as product pitching, customer service, or marketing. We have some helpful sales interview questions and answers to prepare you for your big day.

How Much Can I Earn from a Sales Job?

The average sales job salary within the UK varies significantly depending on the level of the position, the industry, and the job location. A sales supervisor can expect to earn an average salary of £21,320, whereas a sales director can expect an average salary of £80,080. Do take into account that many companies will operate on a commission-based structure. You could make a salary plus bonus, salary base plus commission, or commission only, so it's essential to find out beforehand. To find out what you can expect to make in your preferred area of sales, use an online salary calculator.

Learn About Companies You Could Work for

Many UK companies are hiring for sales job positions. You can research them through our company profiles page and find jobs that may interest you. Here you will find:

• company size
• recent job openings
• benefits and culture

Begin Your Search for Sales Jobs

Take the next step in your sales career by creating a free profile with Monster. From here, you can upload your CV, apply to sales jobs, connect with recruiters, receive regular job updates, and much more.