Sales Representatives, Services
Sales representatives in the services sector sell products and services to businesses, organizations, and individual customers across diverse industries including manufacturing, wholesale, and emerging markets like solar energy. These professionals evaluate customer needs, negotiate pricing and contract terms, and provide detailed product information to help clients make informed purchasing decisions. They typically work in the field visiting client sites, though some positions may involve office-based sales activities and customer relationship management.
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🤖AI Resilience Assessment
AI Resilience Score
Score 2/6: high AI task exposure indicates this career is being transformed by AI
How we calculated this:
54% of tasks can be accelerated by AI
+2% projected (2024-2034)
EPOCH score: 16/25
📋Key Responsibilities
- •Negotiate prices or terms of sales or service agreements.
- •Prepare and submit sales contracts for orders.
- •Visit establishments to evaluate needs or to promote product or service sales.
- •Maintain customer records, using automated systems.
- •Answer customers' questions about products, prices, availability, or credit terms.
- •Quote prices, credit terms, or other bid specifications.
- •Contact new or existing customers to discuss how specific products or services can meet their needs.
- •Emphasize product features, based on analyses of customers' needs and on technical knowledge of product capabilities and limitations.
💡Inside This Career
Sales representatives in the services sector spend their days building relationships and solving problems for clients across diverse industries. A typical day might begin with reviewing client accounts and market data, followed by phone calls to prospects or existing customers to discuss their needs and challenges. Much of their time is spent conducting site visits, whether that's touring a manufacturing facility to assess equipment needs, meeting with business owners to evaluate service requirements, or consulting with clients on complex technical solutions. These professionals often travel within their territory, moving between client locations, trade shows, or company offices.
The work involves a blend of analytical thinking and interpersonal skills as representatives prepare detailed proposals, conduct product demonstrations, and negotiate contracts. They collaborate closely with internal teams—working with engineers on technical specifications, coordinating with logistics on delivery timelines, or partnering with customer service to ensure client satisfaction. Much of their success depends on understanding both their products and their clients' industries deeply enough to identify opportunities and present compelling solutions.
Documentation and follow-up activities round out their responsibilities, including updating customer relationship management systems, preparing sales reports, and maintaining ongoing communication with prospects through various stages of the sales cycle. Representatives often attend industry conferences, participate in training sessions on new products or services, and engage in continuous learning to stay current with market trends and competitive landscapes. The role requires adaptability, as each client interaction presents unique challenges and opportunities that demand customized approaches and solutions.
📈Career Progression
What does this mean?
This shows how earnings typically grow with experience. Entry level represents starting salaries, while Expert shows top earners (90th percentile). Most workers reach mid-career earnings within 5-10 years. Figures are national averages and vary by location and employer.
📚Education & Training
Requirements
- •Entry Education: Bachelor's degree
- •Experience: Several years
- •On-the-job Training: Several years
- !License or certification required
Time & Cost
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Find jobs and training programs for sales representatives, services- Median salary: $77K/year
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💻Technology Skills
⭐Key Abilities
🏷️Also Known As
📑Specializations
This career includes 3 specialized roles with different focuses and compensation levels.
| Specialization | Median Pay | AI Outlook | O*NET Code | Find Jobs | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $99,710 | 🟠 | 41-4011.00 | View details | ||
| $99,710 | 🟡 | 41-4011.07 | View details | ||
| $65,630 | 🟠 | 41-4012.00 | View details |
🔗Related Careers
Other careers in sales
🔗Data Sources
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