Last Updated On 20 Oct, 2020

How to Become a Sales Associate

About Sales Associate

A Sales Associate is a person responsible for selling services and goods while offering outstanding customer service. He is also responsible for dealing with all types of customer questions relating to the product and service provided by the company. A Sales Associate performs an important role in the overall customer experience by ensuring store maintenance and helping with sales. He also helps the customers with refunds, returns and resolves common complaints. A Sales Associate is usually a direct link between a company and its customers. He also acts as consultants for customers needing an expert’s advice when purchasing specialized, technological, or novelty items. 

Responsibilities of a Sales Associate

Check some major responsibilities of a Sales Associate provided below.

  • Handling returns of merchandise

  • Assessing customers needs and providing assistance and information on product features

  • Ensuring high levels of customer satisfaction through excellent sales service

  • Greeting customers in a friendly and polite manner

  • Educating customers about current advertisements as well as promotions 

  • Assisting customers with requests in-store and on the phone

  • Selling and promoting a wide range of products to the customers

  • Resolving the queries of customers related to products and services provided by the store

Eligibility to become Sales Associate

Candidates aiming for a career as a Sales Associate are required to meet some requirements set by the company. They can check the table provided below to know the eligibility criteria to become a Sales Associate. 

Education Required

  • Candidates must have completed a Bachelor’s degree in business management or sales management

  • Some of the companies also hire candidates who have completed a Diploma in Sales

  • They should have a good understanding of sales principles and marketing strategies

Skills

Provided below are some skills required for Sales Associate

  • Attention to Detail

  • Time management Skills

  • Communication skills

  • Teamwork

  • Leadership skills

  • Interpersonal Skills

  • Strong decision-making 

  • Excellent analytical skills

Work Experience

  • Candidates should have at least 1 years of work experience in sales.

Certification

  • Some of the certification available for a Sales Associate are Certified Sales Leadership Professional (CSLP) and Certified Professional Sales Person (CPSP) 

Courses to Become a Sales Associate

The table below will help you know some of the programmes you may pursue in order to become a Sales Associate. The table also contains some of the well-known colleges for sales management. Candidates can apply to any of these institutes by filling our Common Application Form

Course

Total Fee (Approx)

Top Colleges for Sales Management

Bachelor in Retail and Sales Management

INR 37,000 to INR 3.80 lakh

B.Com in Sales and Marketing

INR 10,000 to INR 2.50 lakh

MBA in Operations Management

INR 1.00 lakh  to INR 9.00 lakh

PGDM in Operations Management

INR 45,000 to INR 4.00 lakh

MBA in Sales Management

INR 50,000 to INR 10.00 lakh

Types of Job Roles Sales Associate

The job roles of a Sales Associate varies depending upon his job profile. All the professionals working in Sales are divided into two categories namely Business-to-Customers (B2C) and Business-to-Business (B2B). Those working in the Business-to-Customers (B2C) will be responsible for selling the products directly to the customers and those working in the Business-to-Business (B2B) will be responsible for selling products on a large scale to other smaller businesses. There are many job profiles available for a Sales Associate. Some of them are listed below.

If you want to know more of the employment opportunities available for a Sales Associate, you can ask questions on the Collegedekho QnA region. In addition, you can give our Career Profiling Test to know which profile or career is right for you.

Employment Opportunities for Sales Associate

Almost every sector requires a Sales Associate to promote and sell their products. A Sales Associate can look for the sector that suits his interests and then he can apply for a job in that sector. Some of the major job sectors where a Sales Associate can apply for a job are Education, Consultancies, Retailing, Advertising, Insurance and Finance. Besides this, he can also apply for a job in an IT company. The information below will help you know the employment opportunities available for a Sales Associate. 

Employment Opportunities for Sales Associate

Top Recruiting Agencies for Sales Associate

Some of the major recruiting companies for Sales Associate are listed below.

  • Vodafone

  • Coca-Cola India

  • Cadbury

  • Microsoft

  • PepsiCo

  • Sony India

  • Bharti Airtel

Planning to choose Sales Associate as your career?

Pay Scale/Salary of Sales Associate

The table provided below will help you know the average salary of a Sales Associate. You can check the table to know the average salary for all levels of Sales Associate. 

Profile

Starting Salary per annum (in INR)

Mid Level Salary per annum (in INR)

Senior Level Salary per annum (INR)

Sales Associate

1,41,000

2,55,000

5,19,000

Sales Manager

2,47,000

4,78,000

1,00,000

Regional Sales Manager

4,81,000

9,00,000

15,00,000

Salary of Sales Associate

 

Books & Study Material to Become Sales Associate

Here are some recommended books for Sales Associate

  • The Psychology of Selling: Increase Your Sales Faster and Easier Than You Ever Thought Possible by Brian Tracy

  • Sales Management Simplified by Mike Weinberg

  • Cracking the Sales Management Code: The Secrets to Measuring and Managing Sales Performance by Jason Jordan and Michelle Vazzana

  • 52 Sales Management Tip's- A Sales Manager Guide by Steven Rosen 

  • The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by R. Stephen Covey

Pros of becoming a Sales Associate

  • You will be meeting different kinds of people daily

  • Many employment opportunities are available for a Sales Associate

  • This profile will help you improve your presentation skills

  • You will earn an extra commission/ bonus apart from your permanent salary

Cons of becoming a Sales Associate

  • Work experience of 1 year is required for a successful career as a Sales Associate

  • You should have good communication skills

  • The working schedule of Sales Associate is not fixed. Sometimes they will have to work during the weekends also

  • Sales Associate is also responsible for helping customers and resolving their problems related to the product

Do you think this is the right career choice for you?

Take our test and find out if it suits your strengths.

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FAQs about Sales Associate

Is work experience required for a career as a Sales Associate?

Yes, you should have a work experience of 1 year in sales for a career as a Sales Associate.

What is the eligibility criteria to become a Sales Associate?

You must have completed a bachelor’s degree in sales management in order to become a Sales Associate. The eligibility criteria will vary from company to company

What are the pros of a career as a Sales Associate?

You will earn some additional bonus/ incentive apart from your fixed salary while working in the sales department. Besides this, this profile will help you improve your presentation skills.

Can I know some of the courses to become a Sales Associate?

Some of the courses to become a Sales Associate are B.Com in Sales and Marketing and PGDM in Operations Management

What are the top recruiters for Sales Associate?

Some of the major recruiters for a Sales Associate are Vodafone, PepsiCo, Sony India, Coca-Cola India and Axis Bank.

What skills are required to become a Sales Associate?

Some of the skills required to become a Sales Associate are Communication skills, Teamwork, Time management skills, Leadership skills and Interpersonal Skills.

What are the employment opportunities available for a Sales Associate?

Sales Associate can apply to Education, Consultancies, Retailing, Advertising and Insurance sector.

What job profiles are available for a Sales Associate?

Some of the job profiles available for a Sales Associate are Regional Sales Manager, Zonal Business Manager, Sales Manager and Business Manager

What are the responsibilities of a Sales Associate?

Sales Associate is responsible for promoting and selling goods and services to the customers. He is also responsible for educating customers about the latest promotions.

What is the average salary of a Sales Associate?

The average salary of a candidate who has a working experience of more than 3 years is INR 1,41,000. His working experience increases with experience.

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