Sales is a very broad and lucrative career field. If you enjoy talking to people face to face, are willing to travel to meet potential customers and existing customers, and are self motivated, then you may be the perfect fit for becoming an outside sales associate!
Outside sales associates need a high level of ambition and must be able to work independently because they are not in an office setting most of the time. These individuals are usually traveling to potential customers’ homes or businesses in an effort to sell their products or services. It is important to be relationship-oriented and a great salesperson in order to obtain upsells from current customers.
Sample job description #1
Preferred qualifications
- Post-secondary education equivalent to a Diploma in Business Management or equivalent
- Outside Sales experience in either an industrial equipment rental or a welding equipment sales or rental environment (ideally construction, fabrication, and/or manufacturing sectors)
- Working knowledge of positioning equipment, welding applications, and equipment
- Must be performance driven and show a high level of accountability
- Forward thinking, proactive, detailed and results oriented, positive attitude, and self-motivated
- Ability to travel and be away from home 25-50% of the time
- Must have a valid Driver’s License
Essential duties
- Ensures a safe work environment by following health and safety guidelines
- Develops and increases end user customer base by effective communication, assessment of needs, and recommendations of solutions
- Performs onsite equipment demonstrations
- Makes application recommendations of welding and positioning equipment
- Develops long-term supply relationships through contracts and/or agreements
- Meets or exceeds rental and sales goals specified in the market area
- Represents the company at trade association meetings and Trade Shows to promote products
- Compiles lists of prospective customers for sales leads based on information from newspapers, business directories, trade journals, and/or other sources
- Maintains accurate and timely submission of sales call reports and expenses.
- Travel within designated territory up to 25-50% of the time, including some overnight travel
Required knowledge and skills
- Ability to develop and execute market/business plans
- Proven ability to develop new accounts and new business opportunities
- Requires high-quality presentation and negotiating skills
- Ability to work with a wide variety of people with different personalities and backgrounds
- Computer skills to produce effective spreadsheets, reports, documents, and presentations, as required. Knowledge of MS Office and Microsoft Dynamics CRM applications
Sample job description #2
The Outside Sales Associate will also build relationships with key vendors and suppliers while making joint sales calls. Large and profitable territories available with commissions that far exceed industry standards.
Expectations for the Outside Sales Associate
- Develop, maintain, and nurture relationships with key contacts at existing accounts
- Research and prospect for new accounts and opportunities
- Identify key contacts, corporate purchasing procedures
- Develop, build, and maintain long-term relationships
- Increase and build sales
Qualifications of the Outside Sales Associate
- Strong work ethic
- Comfortable working with people and building the sales relationship
- Strong organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills
- Ability to work independently as well as a team member
- Reliable transportation
Sample job description #3
The ideal candidate will be sales driven, express the desire to grow professionally and possess an interest in establishing a career in construction equipment outside sales. A successful candidate must be people-oriented, aggressive, sales driven, and a team player.
Job requirements
- Express an aggressive, dynamic personality, and excellent customer service skills
- Demonstrates professional business appearance at all times
- Maintains the qualities of a people-oriented, sales driven, self-directed, self-motivated, and determined individual with an entrepreneurial spirit
- Cold-calling and jobsite calls are required
- Proficient computer skills including MS Office Suite, smartphones, and tablets
- Must be able to identify and build prospects and business relationships in designated territory
- Possess reliable transportation and a valid Driver’s License
- Willing to accept on the job and formal training
Preferred qualifications
- Bachelor’s Degree
- Excellent communication and presentation skills
- Prior sales experience
- Strong business acumen with ability to generate solutions to customer issues and requests
Average salary and compensation
The average base salary for an outside sales associate is $62,000 per year in the United States. While only base salaries are reflected here, commissions and bonuses may greatly increase total compensation. Additionally, salaries will vary based on experience, company size, industry, and geographic market.
| Location | Salary Low | Salary High |
|---|---|---|
| Phoenix, Arizona | $58,450 | $79,100 |
| Los Angeles, California | $65,950 | $89,250 |
| Denver, Colorado | $55,000 | $74,400 |
| Washington, DC | $66,950 | $90,600 |
| Miami, Florida | $54,700 | $74,050 |
| Orlando, Florida | $50,500 | $68,300 |
| Tampa, Florida | $51,000 | $68,950 |
| Atlanta, Georgia | $53,500 | $72,350 |
| Chicago, Illinois | $61,500 | $83,150 |
| Boston, Massachusetts | $66,450 | $89,950 |
| Minneapolis-St.Paul, Minnesota | $53,000 | $71,700 |
| New York City, New York | $70,000 | $94,650 |
| Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | $56,950 | $77,100 |
| Dallas, Texas | $55,500 | $75,050 |
| Houston, Texas | $55,250 | $74,700 |
| Seattle, Washington | $64,000 | $86,550 |
| National Average | $50,000 | $67,600 |
Sample interview questions
- What is your favorite part of the sales process?
- What is your least favorite part of the sales process?
- What led to you getting into sales?
- Can you tell us about your sales experience?
- Sales can have its good and bad days. What do you do to regroup after a tough day?
- What is your process like when it comes to building rapport with prospects?
- What is your sales process like?
- Can you try and sell us this coffee mug?
- Why do you want to work for us?
- What skills would you say a sales associate needs to be successful?
- What are your career goals?