Sales Jobs in Scotland

Sales staff are employed throughout various sectors in Scotland, including engineering, retailing, manufacturing, financial services, to name a few, selling their goods / products to individuals, or companies.

Sales are generally split into two categories – Business to Business (B2B) or Business to Consumer (B2C). The skill-set required (of the individual person) differs vastly as a different approach is required. You may be working on the phone, or meeting people face-to-face. Territory sales / Merchandising is another example used within the FMCG (Fast Moving Consumer Goods) market. An example of this could be a soft drinks firm; they will employ individuals to cover certain geographical areas of the country e.g. East of Scotland or Scottish borders. The individual will visit various outlets, cash and carries, corner shops supermarkets etc. to sell their products / goods. They will, likely, be managed by a Sales Manager who will be responsible for them reaching targets and covering all their ‘Territory’ prospects.

If you are looking to work within the Sales sector, you should decide, at the outset, if you want to do telephone work, face to face (territory) sales or have a job that involves travelling round the Country. Most of the organisations will have their Head Office either based in a City, or in an Industrial Estate just out-with the main City. Being able to communicate well and negotiate is of paramount importance in this sector as you will be target based and results will be analysed via conversions of sale. Having access to a car is usually required, or at least a driving license, based on the amount of travelling that can be required.

If you are entering the sales sector, you do not require any particular formal qualifications, but it is advisable to study either Business Management or study for a diploma, such as, the Institute of Sales and Marketing. Junior sales people can be office based carrying out their duty with telesales or cold calling. This involves sales executives phoning companies or individuals and selling their goods by telephone. Traditional industries using this method of selling include utility companies, banks and also energy saving products.

If you have sales experience, we recommend that you build up a ‘brag’ file, this is basically a file with your achievements noted, examples would be ideal. This will help you demonstrate at an interview of your sales competencies and abilities.

The sales sector employs both full time and part time employees. Part time sales positions can be ideal for mothers returning to work, or someone looking to work part-time. Recruitment Agencies can be a good source of these types of jobs with companies such as BT, Thomson, YELL, Dell etc.

Sales staff in most cases are paid a basic salary. This amount is normally bolstered by a commission or bonus which is achieved/paid if the sales agent hits his / her target. In contrast there are some sales roles which pay 100% commission and no basic salary. Jobs of this nature include sectors i.e. double glazing.

Sales people generally have to be enthusiastic and ambitious individuals who will have an appetite for hard work and are able to deal with rejection. Additionally senior sales roles such as sales managers will require the individual to be an effective motivator, listener and also be able to manage their own and their team’s time.

Sales roles are wide ranging and diverse in Scotland, and our site Scottishjobsonthe.net is a site which has a good selection of new sales jobs from junior level through to senior level.

Examples include:

• B2B Telesales Executive £18K

• Field Sales Manager £40K

• Inbound Sales Executive £16K

• Sales Manager £32K

• Senior Sales Executive £26K

• Trainee Sales Executive £12K

If you want to succeed in this sector, our advice is to be remarkable. If you approach your career in Sales with ethics and values, you will build up a good client base and they will, more than likely, recommend your services to other companies.

Scottish Jobs On The Net have a good relationship with employers and recruitment agencies in the Sales industry, bookmark this page and check regularly to see the top jobs available in Scotland.