What does a sales advisor do?
The goal of a Sales Advisor is to facilitate sales in every possible way. This means that sales advisors drive growth for the business they work for. In this role, candidates should be enthusiastic and people friendly. As the responsibility of sales advisors is to provide assistance and advice to customers, they contribute to meeting the sales target for the day, week or month. Arranging merchandise on shelves is also part of the job. This enables the creation of an attractive environment for customers. Outstanding sales advisors have a good understanding and knowledge of the products they are selling. This expertise combined with excellent communication skills ensures the finest customer experience.
Sales advisor skills and qualifications
In this role, candidates spend a lot of time on their feet and need to have a certain level of fitness to be effective at their job. Most of the work involves interacting with customers. Being naturally welcoming and caring towards customers will make all the difference. Below are some imperative skills for sales advisors to fulfil their roles effectively:
- Ability to deliver high customer service at all times
- Negotiation skills and persuasiveness
- Excellent verbal communication
- Ability to work with tight timelines and handle pressure
- Proactivity and attention to detail
- Ability to manage stressful situations and remain calm
- Understanding of how to work in a team and collaborate with others
Sales advisor experience requirements
In the customer service field, experience is key for successful candidates. Technical experience will be acquired through diverse training, whereas soft skills and experience refers to the interpersonal abilities of the candidate. It is generally preferred that candidates have proven experience in customer service or in a sales role. They should be familiar with handling cash registers and be tech savvy with computer systems. As with any customer service role, having excellent communication skills is a must. Outstanding sales advisors are able to find the right balance between being customer-oriented and applying an approach that drives results, all while being professional and displaying enthusiasm.
Sales Advisor education and training requirements
There are no formal qualifications required for sales advisors. Completion of secondary education, including GCSEs, is sufficient to get started in this role. This is a great entry-level job. As there are no formal qualifications required, experience is what will make the difference between candidates. Having worked in a previous customer-facing environment will bring more weight to a sales advisor’s candidacy.
Sales advisor salary expectations
Based on Indeed Salaries data, the average salary for a sales advisor in the United Kingdom is £22,339 per year. Sales advisors may combine a fixed salary with a variable that fluctuates based on their performance versus target. In addition, and as with many jobs, salaries vary depending on the product industry, the level of experience, the employer and the location.
Job description samples for similar positions
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Sales advisor job description FAQs
Can a sales advisor work remotely?
Some sales advisor roles are remote. A remote sales advisor communicates with customers to sell products or services via phone calls. These professionals’ responsibilities are the same as in-store sales advisors. Often, remote sales advisors make commission based on their sales performance.
What questions should be asked during a sales advisor’s interview?
Sales advisor is a polyvalent role requiring versatility. In particular, there are three types of questions that can be asked during a sales advisor’s interview. Operational questions aim at understanding how the candidate would behave in a certain situation. Role-specific questions mostly relate to the candidate’s experience, and behavioural questions aim at understanding the ability of the candidate to manage potentially challenging situations.
How to identify a good sales advisor?
An excellent sales advisor can be spotted by their energy, welcoming attitude and excellent interpersonal skills. The ideal candidate will be able to gain knowledge about the products or services being sold, as well as the company and its culture. They are able to easily pass this subtle messaging on to customers.
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