What's the job of a sales rep like?

I've heard a lot about being a sales rep, but I'm unclear on the daily tasks. Is it mostly about closing deals or is customer service a big part too? Considering this as a potential job option after high school.

A sales representative's job can have a variety of components and their responsibilities can vary depending on the company and industry. However, their main objective usually centers around building relationships with potential customers to sell a product or service. This can involve presenting, promoting, and selling products/services, maintaining relationships with existing customers, reaching out to customer leads, and analyzing the territory/market's potential.

Generally, a significant part of a sales rep's day is spent communicating - this may be through phone calls, emails, or in-person meetings. They may often be on the road going customer-to-customer, especially for industries like pharmaceuticals or technical/scientific products.

However, the job isn't merely about closing deals. Customer service also plays a big part. Sales reps need to maintain relationships with their customers, understand their needs, and provide solutions to their problems. They might also help troubleshoot issues with a product or handle returns and complaints.

Negotiating, analyzing sales statistics, improving product displays in stores, and working with the marketing team to plan and implement promotional campaigns can also be part of their role.

It's important to note, however, that most entry-level sales roles usually require some level of higher education or experience, so it may be beneficial to explore an associate's or bachelor's degree, or get some experience through internships or part-time roles related to the field you are interested in selling in.

As with any job, there can be challenging parts, such as dealing with rejection, managing difficult customer relationships, or navigating competitive markets. But if you enjoy working with people, problem-solving, and potentially have a knack for persuasion, a sales rep role could be a rewarding option to consider!