what is an internal sales representative?
An internal sales representative is a professional salesperson who usually works in the office and sells products and services. It is typically a supporting role, helping and providing support and service. As an internal sales representative, you work with existing customers, but you also try to find new potential customers. You receive orders, handle inquiries and follow up on deliveries. As the internal sales representative, you also support and assist the salespeople out in the field by checking delivery times, terms, agreements or other questions they need help with.
internal sales representative jobswhat does an internal sales representative do?
As a salesperson, you always need to know your market and identify a number of entry points that you believe could lead to business. Internal sales representatives also do this kind of research, but without having direct contact with potential customers in the first step. Companies need internal sales representatives to find new entry points, which in the long run should lead to sales and increased revenue.
If you work in remote sales, the computer, various platforms and systems are the tools that allow you to manage your tasks. In an inside sales team, you map out target groups, nurture and support existing customers, but also find new potential customers. Being skilled at gathering information, data and managing and interpreting it gives you a unique advantage if you aim to become a successful internal sales representative. As an internal sales representative, you need to understand your target group no matter which industry you are part of.
Would the role of inside sales suit your planning and coordination skills as well as your social ability to build contacts? Then read on to find out what skills and qualifications you need to succeed in a role as inside sales.
average salary as an internal sales representative.
The salary range for a role as an internal sales representative is between 27,000kr and 36,000kr per month, but it can be difficult to give an average salary, since the pay is sometimes based on a commission model. In some cases, the entire salary is commission-based and all sales you make determine how much your monthly salary will be. In other cases, it is a combination of a base salary and a commission supplement based on sales during the given period. Many employers see a commission model in some form as a good incentive for the internal sales representative to be more ambitious at work and try to upsell as much as possible.
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so this is how you can increase your salary as an internal sales representative
If you have a commission model that directly gives you a higher monthly salary, following your increased sales, then the effect of a higher salary is immediate, because your salary is based on how much you sell. But if you work as an internal sales representative without a commission model, with just a regular and fixed monthly salary, increased sales will not give you a higher salary.
However, if you can bring in more deals and higher revenues to the company in your role, you have better chances to negotiate a higher base salary. In addition, many internal sales representatives have different bonus systems alongside their base salary or commission model. These can be bonuses that are activated when you have made a certain number of sales or a total sales amount that reaches a certain value.
different roles of internal sales representative.
There are different types of internal sales representatives and it is the product or services you sell that determine which type of internal sales representative you are. There are companies active in many different industries and sectors, but if you are to divide internal sales representatives into two main roles, it is the following:
- Business to business (B2B): When you work as a B2B internal sales representative, you will be selling products or services to other companies or organisations. You need to do research to investigate the needs of potential customers. You get in touch via phone, email or other digital channels to try to sell the product or service. It is not uncommon that deals within business to business are considerably larger than if you sell to private customers. This means the sales process can be more extensive and it may require several contacts with the customer to close a deal.
- Business to consumer (B2C): Internal sales representatives who work with B2C focus on private individuals and end consumers. Most often, you reach out to private individuals by phone or other digital channels to try to sell the products or services. The goal is to quickly gain the person's trust before the call ends and the deal falls through. You also contact customers who have reached out themselves and shown interest in the company's products or services, where your job is then to explain the range and try to secure an order.
working as an internal sales representative.
The goal for an internal sales representative is to increase the company's revenue by contacting potential customers and trying to get them to place orders. You need to be persuasive and confident to keep the customers' attention but also earn their trust.
Below you can read more about tasks and colleagues as well as what the future prospects look like for the role of internal sales representative.
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job description for internal sales representative
- Identify potential sales opportunities: You need to constantly look actively for new potential customers for the company's products or services. You use the company's lists to find new entry points for sales. It's also not uncommon to use social media, by contacting people or companies who have shown interest in the products. You can also be active in other digital channels to increase awareness of the brand (brand awareness).
- Do research on potential customer accounts: You need to make convincing sales pitches to attract new customers. That’s why research on potential target groups is important so you can tailor your sales pitch. Relevant information to keep track of includes the customer’s annual revenue, needs, and current suppliers. With this information, you can map out what you can offer the customer and how you can compete with other companies.
- Building relationships with customers and clients: In the role of internal sales representative, you also take incoming calls and help customers place orders. You also make follow-up calls to previous customers to try to make additional sales. It is your job to build a strong relationship with the customers. After a deal is closed or an order is placed, you need to continue building the relationship so you can follow up with further sales at a later stage.
- Negotiate terms: When you have reached an agreement with a customer about a purchase, you need to negotiate the terms of the deal to make sure both parties are satisfied. You may need to offer discounts or various additional services to make the customer want to go through with the deal. You also document the agreement on volumes, amounts and other terms before you prepare the actual order and make sure the goods are delivered.
- Collaborate with the sales team: In your role as an internal sales representative, you identify potential customers and share these with other people in the sales team. You handle direct negotiations, but you can also work together with other people in the sales team when it comes to large deals or complex orders.
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work environment
As an internal sales representative, you mainly work at the office or from home if that is possible. If you work remotely, you are responsible for your own working hours, since you are the one who must meet the requirements and the sales targets you have set. In addition, some internal sales representatives have a performance-based salary, which motivates you to perform well. The computer and the phone are your most important tools to carry out your tasks, whether you are at home or in the office. Usually, you do not need to travel at all for work, and if physical meetings with the customer are required, other sales representatives take care of that.
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your colleagues
There are internal sales representatives at many different companies, and then there are also those who work at various sales agencies or call centres. These companies sell products or services for other companies. Which colleagues you get depends on which employer and role you have as an internal sales representative. If you work in-house at a company, it’s common that you work closely with others salesperson and sales managers. It’s also not uncommon for you to work closely with the marketing department administrators, sales assistants also accounting assistants.
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work schedule
As an internal sales representative, you often work at least 40 hours a week, and many successful internal sales representatives work even more than that. Sales is a highly competitive field that requires a lot of time and energy to succeed. Since a significant part of the salary for an internal sales representative is based on a commission model, there is an incentive to work overtime.
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future prospects
There are good career opportunities for those who choose to work as an internal sales representative. In many cases, internal sales representative is an entry-level job and a good way to learn sales. Many salespeople in other areas have started their careers as internal sales representatives, because it is a good school for learning sales techniques. If you have worked for a long time as an internal sales representative and gathered a lot of knowledge, you may become eligible for a job as a sales manager. For many sales companies and sales departments at larger firms, it is the work experience and sales qualifications that are relevant for the role and the job.
Internal sales representatives also have good opportunities to manage their own career, since the salary can be commission-based and the working hours are flexible. Many people see it as a positive thing to be able to adapt the job to their private life.
Some internal sales representatives choose to work with other roles in sales, such as account manager. Sales is still a part of the core business in many companies, which means that the need for internal sales representatives will continue to exist in the future.
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advantages of finding a vacant job as an internal sales representative via randstad
There are many advantages to finding an open position as an internal sales representative through Randstad.
- various development and career opportunities
- an experienced contact person who can assist you when needed
- many open jobs within your area
- full-time or part-time work depending on the job/assignment
Do you want a permanent position as an internal sales representative? A temporary or substitute job as an internal sales representative is often a good first step towards a permanent position. Every year, several people get a permanent job with employers thanks to a temporary job that has come through us at Randstad. In addition, many companies recruit their permanent employees directly through Randstad.
education and qualifications.
To work as an internal sales representative, you don't need any special educational qualifications. It's also not necessary to have a certain educational background to build a career in sales. It's more about being good at selling, having a good dialogue with the customer, and building trust. However, there are courses in sales and economics that can be beneficial for those who have higher ambitions than just being an internal sales representative. And who also want the opportunity to take on a managerial role in the future.
Vocational colleges offer programmes in sales and commerce, but also in economics. There are academic programmes at university and college level in economics or business administration, which can also be relevant for those who want to become an internal sales representative or salesperson. There are also private education options or courses for those who want to learn more about sales.
In the end, it’s personality and experience that matter most when learning the sales techniques that make someone a successful internal sales representative. That’s why practical knowledge and experience are very important for an internal sales representative.
knowledge and skills.
There are some important skills for inside salespeople.
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ability to listen
In the role of internal sales representative, you will communicate with customers remotely, often over the phone and email, and therefore you cannot read the customer's body language when you talk. This means you need to become skilled at listening and picking up signals, so you can adapt your sales technique and earn the customer's trust. Being a good listener is essential to get an idea of the customer's needs.
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organisational and planning skills
As an internal sales representative, it's not uncommon for you to handle multiple customers, deals, and customer accounts at the same time. That's why you need to be skilled at organising and planning your time so you don't make any mistakes that could cause deals to fall through.
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to be trustworthy
The ability to appear trustworthy and gain the customers' confidence is a central part of every sales job. It is especially important for those working as internal sales representatives, since contact with customers happens without physical meetings. Building trust, creating a good relationship with customers, and keeping your promises is important.
frequently asked questions about working as an internal sales representative.
Here are the most frequently asked questions about working as an internal sales representative.
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are internal sales representatives and telemarketers the same thing?
Yes, telephone salespeople are a type of internal sales representative. Some telephone salespeople work only with the phone as a tool to sell to private customers or companies, where they often sell products and services for other companies.
While most internal sales representatives working at a specific company use both the phone, the computer and other digital channels when they contact customers and sell their products or services.
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what does an internal sales representative mean?
An internal sales representative is a salesperson who works with sales via telephone, email, social media, live chat or other digital channels. The difference between an internal sales representative and other salespeople is that an internal sales representative does not have any physical meetings or encounters with customers.
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how do I apply for an open position as internal sales representative?
It's easy to apply for a job as an internal sales representative. Search among our vacant jobs in your area. Then send in your CV or your personal letter or apply via LinkedIn.
If you need help with your job application, you can read all our guides job tips here!
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