A field sales executive is the liaison between the company selling a product or service and the customers buying it. In this position, you will be going to meet current and prospective clients on a face-to-face basis. Some people become a field sales executive as they move up the ranks of a company that sells products or services, while others become one through sales training courses and on-the-job training.
To become a field sales executive at the entry level, you will need to ask the companies you are interested working with about what their requirements are. Some companies require that you have a college degree, but not all require higher education to start out at an entry level. Other companies will accept any previous sales or customer service experience you have in place of a degree.
You can also register for and complete a sales program that will teach you sales techniques and tactics. Accredited courses typically offer a certificate of completion or certification once you've successfully completed them. Even if you have past experience in sales, one of these courses can be a good refresher, and you may even pick up on some new skills or techniques to make you a better sales executive.
If you have field sales experience, but want to become a field sales executive for a particular company, you should gather your sales stats and figures when submitting an application, resume, or heading out for an interview. Companies will want to know what specific sales territories you were responsible for covering and what type of product or service you sold. They'll also naturally be interested in your success rate.
Another way to become a field sales executive is to work your way up through the inside of the company. For example, if you have been working in the fulfillment department or marketing and sales department inside of the company, you should keep your eye out for positions opening that would allow you get into field sales. Moving up the ranks internally requires you to perform your current job to the best of your ability. You will also want to let your superiors know about your interest in moving through the ranks of the company, so that your manager and supervisor can do what they can to help you achieve your career goals.
