Inside Sales Representative: Job Description, Salary, Duties & More (2024)

The Ultimate Career Resource For An Inside Sales Representative

The highly competitive field of Inside Sales has been growing for years, and it won’t stop now.

As time passes by, we will see even more inside sales representatives than before.

If you are also thinking of choosing this career path, you are in the right place.

Here is a complete career resource guide for you that will help you decide.

Inside Sales Representative Information

Official Job Title	Inside Sales Representative
Average Salary	$51,941
Stress Level	Average
Work/Life	Average
Job Satisfaction	Average
Career Advancement	Low

Inside Sales Representative Job Description

Here is a detailed job description of an inside sales representative to help you understand their responsibilities:

What Is An Inside Sales Representative?

An inside sales representative handles sales.

They are mainly responsible for selling products and services to customers.

The representative can do this via phone calls, emails, or online platforms.

What Does An Inside Sales Representative Do On A Daily Basis?

The daily tasks of an inside sales representative include developing new prospects and interacting with existing customers.

The primary aim of all the tasks is to increase the sales of the organization’s products or services.

Besides that, the representative will coordinate with field sales team members to ensure the fulfillment of goals.

Even the inside sales representative will conduct field visits and support customers via phone.

The inside sales representative will report back to the department manager or head by the end of the day.

Collaboration and support are a big part of the representative’s daily responsibilities.

Responsibilities, Duties, & Roles Of An Inside Sales Representative

The responsibilities, duties, and roles include communicating with customers.

That includes understanding customer needs and identifying any sales opportunities.

Besides that, the representative will answer all customer questions.

The inside sales representative is also responsible for keeping up with product or service information updates.

Another important duty is to create and maintain a database of existing and potential customers.

Finally, the representative is also responsible for researching new leads and achieving sales targets.

Inside Sales Representative Salary

Here is the inside sales representative salary, depending on where they are in their career:

Average Salary

The average salary of an inside sales representative comes to over $51,941 per annum.

However, the salary can vary significantly depending on many factors.

These include location, education, skills, experience, and certifications.

Starting Salary

The starting salary of an inside sales representative will usually be over $38,956 per annum.

Almost all inside sales representatives begin with this salary and work their way upwards.

Senior Salary

The senior salary of an inside sales representative is roughly more than $80,000.

As the representative has more experience, they will earn more.

How To Become An Inside Sales Representative

If you are looking to become an inside sales representative, here is everything you need to know about it:

The Entry Level: Certification, Training & Degree

It is possible to become an inside sales representative with a high school diploma or GED.

However, almost 66% of inside sales representatives have a bachelor’s degree.

Besides that, 4% of the representatives also have a master’s degree.

Certifications are a powerful tool, and you can get one to become an inside sales representative.

The top certifications you can have for this job include Certified Sales Professional, Sales Management, and much more.

It is best to research the certifications required by companies in your area.

Other Skill Sets, Requirements & Qualifications

It is crucial to have the right skill set to excel as an inside sales representative.

These include customer service, communication, outbound calls, meeting sales goals, CRM, product knowledge, and much more.

Having these skills is vital to executing the job efficiently.

How Long Does It Take To Become An Inside Sales Representative?

It will take you a few years to finish your bachelor’s degree.

Besides that, you also need to have some experience in the field.

For example, most companies ask for three to four years of experience in sales from inside sales representatives.

Is It Hard To Become An Inside Sales Representative?

No, it is not challenging to become an inside sales representative.

As long as you have the right skill set and experience, you will become a representative in no time.

Inside Sales Representative Career Paths

Are you still contemplating if becoming an inside sales representative is the right career path for you?

If you are, here is what you need to know:

The Inside Sales Representative Roadmap

The roadmap of an inside sales representative is straightforward.

The first step is to earn a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field.

You can also seek an internship during this time to enhance your resume.

Many inside sales representative jobs require experience in the role.

For example, you need to have experience in customer service or other sales departments to be right for the job.

So, after your degree, you can join a professional company to begin your career.

You can also obtain certifications along the way to keep up with the changing trends.

It will allow you to stay ahead of the curve.

That is a complete roadmap you will need for your journey.

Projections For Growth In Inside Sales Representative Jobs

The growth rate projection of inside sales representatives comes to 2%.

Progression in this field is slow, as it will take time to work your way up to senior positions.

You begin with an entry-level job, and after hard work, you might get a promotion.

During this time, it is crucial to obtain certifications to stay ahead.

In Summary: Is Inside Sales Representative A Good Career?

The sales field is highly competitive as more people are beginning to work in it.

It will be a great option if you have the people skills, passion, talent, and persistence to advance in this career.

If you want to make more money, you can also opt for other sales careers.

Working Conditions

Here is what you need to know about the working conditions of a typical inside sales representative:

Can An Inside Sales Representative Work Remotely From Home?

Yes, an inside sales representative can work remotely from home.

The tasks include communicating with customers via phone and researching and qualifying leads.

It also includes communicating with the field sales team and collaborating on everything.

How Many Hours Does An Inside Sales Representative Work?

An inside sales representative will work forty or more hours a week.

However, representatives are in constant contact with customers and field sales time.

Because of this, the calls can continue even after the workday ends.

Can An Inside Sales Representative Work Part-Time?

Yes, there are inside sales representative part-time jobs, but it is never this way.

That is because a significant portion of the job is constant communication.

So, even if the representatives officially work part-time, they will still work almost all day.

What Are The Average Vacation Days Of An Inside Sales Representative

On average, inside sales representatives get two to three weeks off from their work.

That is their official vacation time where they can relax and escape.

You might also receive more, depending on the company.

Alternative Careers & Similar Jobs to an Inside Sales Representative

Resume Tips

If you want to create an excellent inside sales representative resume, here are the top tips:

Ensure that you add all the education, training, and certifications
Make the resume ATS-friendly by using the right keywords and spreading them smartly
Always list your previous sales experiences
Add a summary or objective statement relevant to the position
Ensure that the formatting is flawless

Interview Questions

Here are some key questions you can ask inside sales representatives as an employer:

Q1. What role does social media play in the sales process?

Why it works: It will help you understand if the representative will incorporate this crucial tool in their process.

Q2. What questions would you ask to qualify leads?

Why it works: It will help you understand if they can qualify leads for your business.

Q3. Do you have experience with CRM tools?

Why it works: CRM is crucial for today’s sales process, which is why a representative needs to know how to use it.

Jobs Related To Inside Sales Representative

Some other jobs related to inside sales representative include:

Sales Agent
Sales Consultant
Technical Sales Representative
Customer Service Representative
Account Manager

For HR Manager: Tips For Hiring An Inside Sales Representative

As an HR manager, here are the top tips for hiring an inside sales representative:

Key Characteristics To Look For In An Inside Sales Representative

Here are some key skills to look for in an inside sales representative:

Familiarity and experience with CRM tools
Effective communication
Great people skills
Ability to research and qualify leads
Ability to maintain a positive relationship with existing and future accounts
Generating training plans and sales goals with business partners

Minimum Level Of Education & Experience

The minimum level of education for this job is a GED or high school diploma.

However, more than 60% of sales representatives have a bachelor’s degree.

The candidates also need to have a few years of experience and relevant certifications.