A sales associate is one of the surging professions in which holds 10% of the country's GDP and 8% of its employment. Sales associates deal with the customers or clients in providing them with basic details about the product or services and guiding them to buy the appropriate thing that they need.
To become a Sales Associate, one must have a UG, PG or Diploma Degree in the field of Marketing or Business. Candidates must have passed 10+2 from any recognised board with at least 60% aggregate.
Some of the top colleges that offer courses to become a Sales Associate are IIM Lucknow, IIMB, IIMA, XLRI and many more. Admission is purely based on entrance basis and the average fee to pursue such a course ranges from INR 50,000 to INR 4 LPA.
The average salary of a sales associate is INR 12,103 to INR 31,364 per year. The overall growth of 2% is expected from 2019-2029 which is quite slower than most other jobs. Stronger employment growth is expected for the sales associates working in independent sales agencies. There is a trend of online shopping which is increasing the scope of sale associates over virtual media.
Quick facts for sales associate
| Industry | Retail and marketing |
| Eligibility | UG, PG or Diploma Degree in the relative field. |
| Average Starting Salary | INR 3,00,000 - INR 1,547,500 per year |
| Job Opportunity | Sales Manager, Regional Sales Manager, Business Development Manager, Zonal Business Manager, Business Manager, Sales Order Manager, International Sales Manager, and Territory Manager. |
3.1 How to become Sales Associate after 12th
4.1 BCom Marketing
5.1 USA
5.2 UK
5.3 Canada
5.4 Australia
What does a Sales Associate do?
A sales associate's responsibility includes assisting a customer with the buying process. They solve any inquiries of the customers and handle complaints related to the product or the buying process.
Some of the other duties are mentioned below.
- A sales associate educated with knowledge of the product makes him capable enough to handle customer issues.
- They try to increase sales by providing maximum customer satisfaction, thus meeting the sales goal of the store.
- A sales associate helps to find the right product and services for the customer by closely working with them and understanding their need and demand for the particular service or product.
- They aim at improving the sales by implementing different methods such as changing the store design and planning marketing activities.
How to be a Sales Associate
These are some of the common steps to become a sales associate. The steps include:
Decision Making
After passing out 10+2, students must do thorough research in the field of sales associates. They should be well aware of the expenses, career prospects, and other related issues to launch a successful career as a sales associate.
Subject Choices
There are no specific subjects to choose from to make a career as a sales associate. Although, getting a bachelor's degree in business will give the student an overview of the subjects. Internships and training make the student specialized as a sales associate with the necessary skills.
Entrance Exam Preparation
To become a sales associate, a candidate has to graduate in business administration and do further education with a specialization in sales and marketing. National level entrance exams such as CAT, MAT, GMAT, XAT, and many other exams are conducted every year, based on which a candidate is admitted.
Selecting Colleges
There are some of the top colleges which are recommended to pursue a career as a sales associate. Interested students must go through all the materials online and offline to choose their college based on faculty, placement, ranking, internship, and training. Selecting the proper college is very important in the process of career-making.
After Qualifying Exam
Once the candidate has qualified for the entrance exam and meets the specified cut-off marks, he/she is called for a group discussion and personal interview which varies accordingly in different colleges.
Getting Work Experience
It is necessary to get at least 1-year work experience in sales to pave the path towards becoming a successful sales associate. There are also certain diploma and certificate courses such as certified professional sales person (CPSP) and certified sales leadership professional (CSLP) which can be fruitful to brag about a job as a sales associate.
Types of Sales Associate
Sales Manager
They are responsible for making the product and the services available to the customers. They work on determining the price, sales, marketing strategy, promotions, public relations activities, advertising, product development, and many more. They handle sales representatives by assigning them their goals, conducting training, and allocating sales territory. The average pay scale of a sales manager is INR 20,00,000 - INR 25,00,000 annually.
Zonal Business Manager
A person needs to have an MBA or PGDM degree to become a zonal business manager. The duty of a zonal business manager is limited to the zone or the area where is working. They are responsible for the growth and development of the company, facilitating profits, and conducting marketing and sales-related activities in the area. The entry-level salary of a zonal manager is INR 8-10 LPA which may increase up to INR 15-30 LPA as senior-level salary.
International Sales Manager
An international sales manager should possess an MBA or have completed BBA in sales or business management with minimum job experience. They target increasing the profit and sales globally by training and directing a sales team. They aim at finding sales opportunities, new business, and international clients. The average pay scale of an international sales manager is INR 4,01,000- INR 15,00,000 per annum.
Regional Sales Manager
It is one of the top-level profiles in the department of sales and marketing. They manage a sales team and look after the important works related to the sales of the product or brand in a particular region. An MBA in sales and marketing is required in this position. The year of experience is of significance while being appointed as the regional sales manager. The average expected salary of a regional sales manager is INR 12-15 LPA.
How to become a sales associate in India
A sales associate should possess some skills of good interaction; he/she would get further opportunities to polish their communication throughout their career by meeting new people every day.
The candidate should not just depend on academic qualifications; he/she must start working part-time or engage themselves in internships. It should be noted that the work experience of the candidate adds to the growth of the career as a sales associate.
School-level preparation
- The candidate should focus on getting 50% with commerce stream in their 10+2, which is one of the eligibility criteria.
- Some of the colleges conduct their entrance exam based on the syllabus of the school.
- Go through the sample question papers of the previous year and practice aptitude, general knowledge, and time management. The questions are generally basics from class 9th and 10th.
- Entrances are conducted after the board's exam so students have the time of some months to prepare for it.
- The student has to complete 120-150 questions within 2-3 hours, which makes the exam speed-based and all about time management.
- Practice regularly and learn tricks to qualify for the exam.
How to become a sales associate after 12th
The candidate must be well aware of the pros and cons of the chosen career. He/she must be focused on the steps that bring them closer to their aim.
UG Level Preparation
- Go through thorough research about the colleges and the specializations they are offering
- Prepare yourself for the entrance exam with the help of the previous years' question papers which is available offline and online
- If the candidate passes the entrance exam, he/she will be called for group discussion or a personal interview.
- If the candidate is selected, they will be asked to submit their documents for verification.
- Admission to the college is granted if the above steps are followed.
PG Level Preparation
- After passing BBA, the candidate should start preparing for national level exams such as CAT, MAT, GMAT, XAT, etc.
- Counseling will be done based on the ranking of the candidate in the entrance exam.
- Group discussion and personal interviews are conducted by the respective institute to further elaborate the admission process.
- On the selection of the candidate, he/she has to present the academic and professional certificates for verification. Thus, getting admission to the University.
Courses to Become a Sales Associate
A candidate willing to become a sales associate must opt for academic courses which will educate them about the skills and techniques of basic commerce. Some courses give practical knowledge as well as an internship where students can work in a company and gain experience.
BCom Marketing
BCom Marketing is a 3 year UG course that prepares students for professional careers in the field of marketing and related fields. This course emphasizes the techniques and methods of managing and planning for marketing and sales.
Admission Process
- BCom admissions are based on the minimum qualification based on marks scored by a candidate at the Intermediate Level.
- However, there is no central examination for such courses but some universities and colleges admit students to the course based on their marks in national or state level entrance exams .
Eligibility Criteria
- The candidate has to pass their qualifying examination from a recognized board with 50% marks in the qualifying exam.
- The candidate should also have a commerce stream in their boards' exams.
- The eligibility criteria differ from college to college.
BBA Sales and Marketing
BBA Sales and Marketing is an UG course that helps students to learn how to use the marketing process, through which the organisation plans, can control, analyze and implement programs.
Admission Process
- Students willing to get admission in this stream can apply to BBA Sales and Marketing colleges by offline and online means.
- They can either reach the official website of the institute or to the admission office of the institute to fill the admission application form.
- They are required to fill the application form required and upload all the necessary documents which are asked in the form.
- Some colleges conduct their entrance exams followed by interviews for the admission process.
- However, most of the colleges provide direct admission based on the score of the 10+2 examination.
Eligibility Criteria
To get admission in the BBA course with specialization in retail and sales management, the candidate needs to:
- Pass 10+2 with at least 50% from a recognized board
- Qualify for the entrance exam of the college (if any)
Entrance Exam
| Exam Name | Conducting Body | Mode of Exam |
|---|---|---|
| GATA- Goenka Aptitude Test (GATA) | GD Goenka University | Online |
| SPJET- SP Jain Entrance Test | SP Jain School of Global Management | Online |
MBA in Operations Management
MBA Operation Management is a 2 year PG course that studies planning, organizing, and supervising the production, manufacturing, and supplies of other services.
Admission Process:
- Although each institute has its own admission process, There are some of the common entrance exams such as GMAT, CAT, MAT, NMAT, SNAP which need to be qualified to get admission in MBA with operations management as a specialization.
- The University releases a combined University level cut-off score through which a candidate is admitted according to their rank and merit.
- A candidate can also get admission through management quota which is an expensive process.
Eligibility Criteria
To get admission in MBA operation management, the candidate has to:
- Completed bachelor’s degree from a recognized University with any stream
- An aggregate of 45-50%
- A cut-off score of 80-90 in any national level entrance examination. the cut-off marks differ according to the reserved category.
Course Admission: Important Tips
How to Apply for the Exam
- Keep track of the important dates on the official website of the college.
- Fill in the online application form and submit it before the closing date.
- Admit cards will be released for the entrance exam.
- Provide valid pieces of information in the application as any error during verification can lead to the cancellation of the candidature.
- Scan photos and signatures and keep them handy while filling up the form.
- Without the payment of the application fees, the application process is not complete.
How to Prepare for the Exam
- Solve model question papers of last year which are easily available online.
- Revise the syllabus of 10+2 commerce as most of the questions are based on the school syllabus.
- practice to solve more questions in less time as time management is a very important factor in the entrance exams.
- Do not try to learn the topics that you are unaware of. Revise the tough topics that you have learned and gradually go toward the easy topics. Do not try to cover the whole syllabus as it will be a waste of time.
- Practice the chapters that are important and carry maximum marks.
- The syllabus for the b.com entrance exam is accountancy, maths, business studies, basic computer questioning, current affairs, verbal reasoning, and logical reasoning. There will be MCQ and negative markings in the exam.
- The candidate can refer to verbal and non-verbal reasoning and quantitative aptitude by RS Agarwal along with reading newspapers and current affairs.
How to become a sales associate abroad
The demand for a sales associate is increasing in places like the UK, us, Australia, and Canada. The qualification to become a sales associate abroad differs from industry to industry. Foreign institutes allow completing the course along with specific work experience which attracts students globally.
US
- Educational requirement: a bachelor's degree, high school degree, associate degree or diploma degree is necessary along with work experience to become a sales associate.
- Admission process: GMAT and TOEFL scores are accepted in the colleges based on which the candidates are admitted.
- An average salary of a sales associate in the united states is rs 1,69,678 per month
Top Colleges in US
| College Name | Average Fees (per year) |
|---|---|
| Central Michigan University | INR 9.6 lakhs |
| Florida State University | INR 31.7 lakhs |
| Georgia State University | INR 17.2 lakhs |
| Nova Southeastern University | INR 13.7 lakhs |
| Western Kentucky University | INR 21.1 lakhs |
| Weber State University | INR 16 lakhs |
| University of Toledo | INR 17.5 lakhs |
| Kansas State University | INR 15.8 lakhs |
| Clemson University | INR 16. 1 lakhs |
| Baylor University | INR 29 lakhs |
UK
- To become a sales associate in the UK, one can go for over 50 colleges that offer courses in the same domain.
- Educational requirement: you can get the job of sales associate in the UK by acquiring level 2 certificates or diploma in retail skills or level 3 diplomas in retail skills sales professional. Other than this you can get into the job by applying directly, volunteering, or through an apprenticeship.
- Admission process: to get into the colleges of the UK which give the course for sales associates, you need to have 2 or more GCSEs in grade 9 to 3 or an equivalent for a level 3 course. One can also have 4 or 5 GCSEs in 9 to 4 for level 3 courses.
- An average salary of a sales associate in the UK is rs 21,97,583 per year.
Top Colleges in UK
| College Name | Average Fees (per year) |
|---|---|
| Imperial College London | INR 55.3 lakhs |
| University of Warwick | INR 41.8 lakhs |
| University of Manchester | INR 35.7 lakhs |
| University of Edinburgh | INR 33 lakhs |
| Cranfield University | INR 39.6 lakhs |
| University of Sunderland | INR 15.5 lakhs |
| Regent College, London | INR 18.6 lakhs |
| The University of Arizona | INR 33.7 lakhs |
| University of Oxford | INR 31 lakhs |
| University of Cambridge | INR 21.9 lakhs |
Canada
- Over 70 colleges offer courses in the field of sales and marketing and help students in becoming a Sales Associate.
- Educational requirement: the candidate should carry a GMAT and TOEFL score along with a graduate degree. MBA schools in Canada generally require a GMAT score ranging from 500-600.
- Admission process: it is recommended to apply for the institute in Canada 15-18 months before the commencement of the session as the admission process is quite lengthy. The documents that are needed during admission are academic records, standard admission tests, bank statements, financial documents and work experience, letters of recommendation, admission essays, and visa documents.
- The average salary of a sales associate in Canada is rs 26,10,038 per year.
Top Colleges in Canada
| College Name | Average Fees |
|---|---|
| York University | INR 31.4 lakhs |
| Fanshawe College | INR 8.5 lakhs |
| University of Calgary | INR 20 lakhs |
| McMaster University | INR 29.7 lakhs |
| Queen’s University | INR 56.4 lakh |
| McGill University | INR 36 lakhs |
| Western University | INR 67.4 lakhs |
| University of Alberta | INR 21.1 lakhs |
| University of Toronto | INR 32.2 lakhs |
| University of British Columbia | INR 30.9 lakhs |
Australia
- There are various top colleges that offer courses to become a Sales Associate in Australia.
- Eligibility requirement: students need to have a bachelor's degree with a minimum score of 60%, a good IELTS score, and a GMAT score of 590 on average.
- Admission Process: other than submitting the grades, the candidate has to submit a resume and write an SOP which is crucial to the admission.
- The annual salary of a sales associate in Australia is rs 27,68,979 per year
Top Colleges in Australia
| College Name | Average Fees |
|---|---|
| The University of Melbourne | INR 63.1 lakhs |
| The University of Sydney | INR 50.9 lakhs |
| Monash University | INR 34.6 lakhs |
| Australian National University | INR 27.3 lakhs |
| University of new south wales | INR 25.4 lakhs |
| University of Queensland | INR 23.9 lakhs |
| University of Adelaide | INR 24.3 lakhs |
| University of Western Australia | INR 21.5 lakhs |
| Macquarie University | INR 21.2 lakhs |
| Griffith University | INR 16.7 lakhs |
Benefits of a Career as a Sales Associate
- Salary: the average salary of a sales associate in India is Rs 2,58,551 per year. The range of salary differs in different industries. The employee can also earn extra incentives or bonuses depending on his amount of work.
- Job security: the job of the sales associate is all safe and secure for the people who are capable of meeting the said target and bring good numbers in the sale. For people who lack the forte of selling things, the job is highly risky to sustain.
- Higher studies: a sales associate profile has the highest education of MBA, which will bring a good job opportunity for the candidate in the field of sales associate.
- Unique experience: sales associates meet lots of people every day which improvises their interactive skills as well as their personality. The job is completely target-oriented and customer satisfaction is to increase the numbers.
Skills required to be a Sales Associate
Some of the skills required by the candidate to become a sales associate are:
- Excellent analytical skills
- Interpersonal skills
- Strong decision making
- Time management skills
- Attention to details
- Communication skills
- Teamwork
- Leadership skills
Salary of Sales Associate in India
The average sales associate salary in India is Rs 19,533 per month which may lead up to INR 3,45,856 per year depending on the gradual increase in the working years.
Average Annual Salary
| Name of Organization | Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Govt | INR 3.5 LPA |
| Private | INR 4 LPA |
Specialization Wise
| Specialization | Salary (per year) |
|---|---|
| Customer service | INR 2,55,985 |
| Sales force | INR 2,93,317 |
| Marketing communication | INR 2,90,734 |
| Customer relations | INR 2,78,339 |
| Retail | INR 2,48,866 |
Gender Wise
| Gender | Salary |
|---|---|
| Male | INR 3,00,000 |
| Female | INR 2,80,000 |
Experience Wise
| Experience | Salary (per year) |
|---|---|
| Fresher | INR 2,50,851 |
| Experienced | INR 4,89,796 |
After doing sales associate
Higher education
Candidates can opt for higher education degrees like MBA, MPhil, and Ph.D. after completing their bachelor's degree. Higher education makes the candidate eligible for a higher post in the field of sales associate. MBA with a specialization is very useful in the field of sales and retail.
Jobs
After doing a BBA or MBA in sales and marketing, a student can directly become a sales associate in any company. As the profession is more likely to bloom with job experience rather than mere education. One should aim at getting placed in a renowned company as a sales associate after doing the course.
How to be a Sales Associate FAQs
Ques. Is there any distance learning course for sales associates?
Ques. Is math compulsory in the courses related to sales associates?
Ques. Is a sales associate a good career?
Ques. What are the top companies in India hiring for sales associate jobs?
Ques. Do sales associates need to travel?
Ques. What is the time duration of work for a sales associate?
Ques. What are the different certifications to become a sales associate?
- Certified sales manager
- Certified marketing and sales analytics professional
- Professional certificate program in marketing and sales management
- Consumer buying behavior course by swayam
- Customer experience management with salesforce training
- Sales skills for today: an introduction to entrepreneurial sales
Ques. What are the qualities that a sales associate must have?
Ques. What are some of the disadvantages of becoming a sales associate?
- Target based job which is stressful
- You represent the company. Thus, every minute of behavior with the customer can affect the company's outlook.
- Some people do not want to talk to a sales associate. uncouth, rude, and ignorant behavior can be expected from the customers.
Ques. What is the difference between the sales associate and sales representative?
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