A business representative handles sales for a company. Business representatives work in practically every industry, from retail to wholesales to automotive. They represent their business and its products and services, and hold important roles in keeping the cash flowing.

Basics

Business representatives greet clients, identify their wants and make recommendations. They often provide a demonstration of a product, and make the customer aware of special deals, discounts, rebates and warranties.

Skills

Business representatives must be passionate about customer service, and be experts in their company’s products. They should be professional, courteous, motivated and energetic, as well as possess the necessary math skills to track sales.

Education

Depending on industry, business representatives may not need more than a high school diploma. Some, on the other hand, are required to possess a bachelor’s degree, often in subjects such as marketing and, of course, business.

Prospects

Employment of sales representatives is expected to remain steady. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, salespersons in the retail and wholesales industries are projected to see their jobs grow by 8 and 7 percent, respectively, through 2018.

Earnings

Sales representatives earned anywhere from nearly $27,000 to more than $63,000 per year in June 2010, according to PayScale.com.