If you communicate well and enjoy setting goals then reaching them then a career as a Sales Executive could be for you.
Career Overview
As a Sales Executive you’ll be responsible for setting targets on company sales, and then doing your best to reach them. You’ll be responsible for sales growth, management and marketing oversight depending on where you work. You’ll need to do market research and then liaise with buyers.
Required School Subjects
You will need to have taken the following subjects at high school:
- Pure Mathematics
Recommended subjects:
- Business Studies
- Economics
Institution and APS
The following institutions are highly recommended for further studies:
- Rhodes University – APS of 45+
- University of Pretoria (UP) – APS of 26
- University of Witwatersrand (Wits) – APS of 39
- University of Western Cape (UWC) – APS of 30
- University of Johannesburg (UJ) – APS of 29
Required Qualification/s
You will need to study for a degree in marketing, commerce or business in order to become a Sales Executive. Experience in sales and marketing will also give you the edge you need.
Required Skills
You will need to have the following skills to succeed as a Sales Executive:
- an ability to work with people
- strategic thinking
- able to set goals and then reach them
- technical developmental and communication skills
- problem solving
- IT proficiency
- confidence
- positivity
- self-motivation
- ambition
- ability to work in competitive environments
- adaptability
- time management
- marketing
- ability to research
- management
Where you can work
As a Sales Executive, you will be able to work in the following areas:
- Fast moving consumer goods (food, drinks etc.)
- Advertising/ marketing companies
- Corporates big and small
- Financial firms
- Pharmaceutical companies
- Sale organisations
- Stores and shopping malls
Working Hours
Regular working hours would be between 40 – 45 hours per week but as a Sales Executive, overtime hours might be necessary.
Expected Salary
The average salary per year in South Africa as a Sales Executive is around R 246 000, according to PayScale.
What to expect
Here are a few things you can expect from a career as a Sales Executive:
- You may find yourself working under a lot of pressure, as sales can be competitive and deadline/ target driven.
- You might be required to travel.
- You’ll need to do your research and connect with the right market for the products you are responsible for.
- You would be required to liaise with various suppliers of products, manufacturers and clients themselves. Good people skills and confidence will go a long way.
- Expect to dress appropriately for work and continue to have a positive attitude and self-motivation.
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