Sales Support

Education and Training: High school diploma preferred
Average Salary: $47,000
Job Outlook: Good

A sales support professional is an administrative professional who works directly with a sales department and provides administrative support to the sales team. Rather than selling directly to customers, the sale support professional will work with sales paperwork, including expense reports, proposals, sales progress reports, department database records, and sales account paperwork.

Sales support professionals are often hired by companies with regional sales offices or traveling sales representatives. In this case, the sales support professional may work remotely or from a centralized office location to coordinate the efforts of the sales team. The sales support professional must also be familiar with the computer system used by the company and may help troubleshoot minor issues with the systems.

Education and Training Requirements

A sales support professional usually needs a high school diploma or its equivalent, and some companies may require a higher education in administration or business. Sales support professionals must also have excellent computer skills in Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and similar programs.

Most sales support representatives are trained in house by the company that hires them. Training often involves giving professionals knowledge of the company’s policies and procedures. On the job training is often common, with a new sales support professional being trained by a more experienced professional.

Getting the Job

Sales support professionals are often hired straight out of professional or college programs. Simply fill out an application at companies that are currently hiring, or work as a sales rep before moving into a sales support position.

Job Prospects, Employment Outlook and Career Development

Job prospects for sales support professionals are dependent on the economy, to some extent, but high turnover rates in many sales environments mean that these jobs are often available. Job growth is expected to be average, but existing jobs may become available frequently for new sales support professionals.

Sales support professionals may go on to higher level administrative positions, including executive administrative positions. Many sale support professionals take their administrative skills into other industries or into different administrative positions.

Working Conditions and Environment

Sales support professionals may work remotely from home, but they most often work in an office environment. These professionals must deal with both customers and sales representatives, and they must communicate well and efficiently on the phone or online.

Sales support positions are not considered particularly stressful, and the hours that sales support professionals work will depend on their industry. For the most part, though, these professionals will work during normal business hours throughout the week, rather than working evenings and weekends.

Salary and Benefits

The average salary for a sales support professional is $47,000 per year, though they can be paid anywhere from $33,000 per year to $64,000 per year. Pay depends on experience, as well as on the industry and company a sales support professional is working for. These professionals are often eligible for sales commissions and bonuses, depending on the success of the sales team with which they are working. However, base salaries are often higher than for sales reps, who depend even more on commission for their earnings.

These full time jobs typically come with health benefits, retirement options, and paid time off. Sales support professionals are often eligible for sick days and personal days, as well, depending on the company with which they are working.

Where to Go for More Information

International Association of Administration Professionals
10502 NW Ambassador Dr.
Kansas City, Missouri 64195
(816) 891-6600
http://www.iaap-hq.org

National Association for Retail Marketing Services
2417 Post Rd.
Stevens Point, WI 54481
(715) 342-0948
http://www.narms.com

National Retail Federation
325 7th St. NW, Ste. 1100
Washington, DC 20004
(202) 783-7971
http://www.nrf.com