Top skills for sales representative candidates
1. Communication skills
Included in 42.03% of sales job postings
Communication skills are the key to successful sales. Skilled sales professionals adapt their communication style to build rapport with diverse clients, actively listen to identify needs and present solutions persuasively. Clear and compelling communication fosters trust and drives positive outcomes.
Employers seeking candidates with these capabilities should include keywords like “exceptional verbal and written communication skills” or “proven ability to convey product value effectively” in job descriptions.
Evaluate these skills through tailored interview questions, writing samples and role-playing exercises simulating sales scenarios.
2. Sales skills
Included in 32.05% of sales job postings
Lead generation, needs qualification, solution presentation and deal closing are important skills of a salesperson. Find applicants with a strong grasp of sales by using phrases like “proven track record in sales” or “demonstrated ability to close deals effectively” to attract suitable candidates.
Evaluate sales expertise through behavioral interview questions, reviewing past sales data and conducting simulations mirroring your company’s sales process.
3. Customer service
Included in 26.71% of sales job postings
Exceptional customer service means promptly addressing inquiries, skillfully resolving issues and building long-term customer relationships. What’s more, focusing on customer care strengthens brand loyalty and encourages repeat business.
Employers looking for these sales skills can include terms like “strong customer service and interpersonal skills” or “passionate about delivering exceptional customer experiences” in job postings.
Assess customer service aptitude through scenario-based interview questions, customer satisfaction surveys from previous roles and role-playing exercises.
4. Microsoft Office
Included in 11.96% of sales job postings
Microsoft Office suite allows sales professionals to use Excel for data analysis, Word for proposal creation and PowerPoint for compelling presentations.
Hiring managers sourcing tech-savvy candidates should include this skill in job descriptions, using terminology like “proficient in Microsoft Office” or “experience using Microsoft Office in sales”. You can assess Microsoft Office skills through practical tests, reviewing candidates’ work samples and incorporating questions about specific software features into the interview process.
5. Microsoft Excel
Included in 10.68% of sales job postings
Microsoft Excel proficiency enables sales professionals to transform raw data into actionable insights. This involves analyzing sales trends, forecasting performance and managing pipelines effectively.
Find data-driven candidates by highlighting this skill in job postings with terminology such as “advanced Microsoft Excel skills” or “expertise in using Excel for sales analysis and forecasting.”
Assess Excel proficiency with a skills test, work sample review or targeted interview questions focused on using Excel for sales tasks.
6. Computer skills
Included in 9.37% of sales job postings
Fluency in core computer skills enables efficient email communication, seamless CRM navigation and proficient document creation. Technical knowledge helps sales employees get up and running faster, adapt to new technology and work efficiently.
Source sales reps with strong technical aptitude by adding keywords such as “proficient in Salesforce” or “strong working knowledge of CRM software” to their job descriptions. Use practical tests, skills assessments and interview questions about software experience and tech capabilities when assessing candidates.
7. Management
Included in 8.54% of sales job postings
Sales professionals with strong management skills demonstrate the ability to inspire teams, set strategic goals and provide comprehensive sales support. Confidence often comes with management experience and is indispensable for sales reps at all levels.
Find sales reps with leadership potential by mentioning this competency in job postings, including phrases such as “proven sales management experience” or “demonstrated success in leading and motivating sales teams.”
Measure management capabilities through behavioral interview questions that explore leadership style, team-building strategies and past successes in sales leadership roles.
8. English
Included in 7.58% of sales job postings
Excellent written and verbal English skills are a must for clear communication with customers, colleagues and other stakeholders. This includes crafting persuasive emails, proposals and presentations.
Employers who prioritize articulate candidates should include this skill in job descriptions with terms like “strong written and verbal English skills” or “able to communicate effectively in English”.
You can analyze a candidate’s English language proficiency by asking for a writing sample, reviewing communication materials and paying close attention during interviews.
9. Time management
Included in 6.80% of sales job postings
Sales professionals wear many hats, from client outreach to proposal creation. They must multitask effectively, manage time efficiently and meet key deadlines.
Find organized, results-driven candidates by including this skill in job postings. Try using keywords such as “excellent time management skills” or “proven ability to manage multiple projects at once.”
Practical exercises, scenario-based time management questions and references from past roles can help hiring managers assess time management capabilities.
10. Marketing
Included in 6.21% of sales job postings
A basic understanding of marketing principles empowers sales professionals to uphold your brand identity while communicating with clients. Marketing skills help them refine messaging, identify the best leads and effectively collaborate with marketing teams.
To hire inside sales reps with marketing proficiency, add phrases like “understanding of marketing concepts and strategies” to job descriptions. Gain deeper insights into candidates’ marketing knowledge through interview questions and their marketing materials.
11. Microsoft Word
Included in 5.97% of sales job postings
Sales professionals often rely on Microsoft Word to craft compelling proposals, draft client communications and create sales reports. Proficient use of the software ensures clear, error-free and visually appealing documents.
Source candidates with strong Word skills using key terms such as “proficient in Microsoft Word” or “experience using Microsoft Word” when crafting job descriptions.
Ask candidates to complete practical exercises, such as taking a software assessment or providing samples of marketing materials.
12. Negotiation
Included in 5.87% of sales job postings
Successful negotiation is a cornerstone of sales, requiring confidence, strategic thinking and a focus on win-win outcomes. As a skill, it allows sales professionals to reach agreements that benefit the client and the company while making customers feel valued.
Prioritize candidates demonstrating “strong negotiation skills.” Analyze negotiation prowess by requesting detailed examples of successful negotiations from past roles, including the strategies used and the results achieved.
13. Organizational skills
Included in 5.75% of sales job postings
Juggling multiple leads, managing complex client relationships and meeting deadlines demands excellent organizational skills. Sales professionals who are skilled at managing their workload and maintaining accurate records are usually highly effective team members.
Consider using phrases like “excellent organizational skills” or a “proven ability to manage multiple priorities” in your job descriptions. Evaluate organizational abilities by asking scenario-based interview questions, assessing workflow processes or requesting references who can speak to their organizational skills.
14. Microsoft PowerPoint
Included in 5.24% of sales job postings
Sales reps with Microsoft PowerPoint skills can deliver engaging and informative presentations, pitch ideas to new clients or train junior sales team members.
Find candidates with strong presentation skills by using terms such as “advanced proficiency with Microsoft PowerPoint” or “experience creating persuasive sales presentations in PowerPoint” in job descriptions. Assess PowerPoint proficiency by reviewing presentation samples or through interview questions about developing presentations.
15. Bilingual
Included in 4.93% of sales job postings
Fluency in multiple languages opens doors to broader markets and strengthens client relationships. Bilingual sales professionals can effectively communicate with diverse clients, building trust and expanding sales opportunities throughout the global marketplace.
Looking for candidates with multilingual skills? Include this skill in job descriptions using specific language pairs such as “fluent in Spanish and English” or “bilingual in English and French.” Use conversation and translation exercises and ask for language proficiency certifications to confirm candidates have this skill.
16. Spanish
Included in 4.74% of sales job postings
Fluency in spoken and written Spanish is particularly valuable in markets with significant Spanish-speaking populations. It allows sales professionals to connect directly with clients, build rapport and secure sales in a wider market.
Target Spanish speakers with keywords like “fluent Spanish for sales” or “bilingual Spanish sales.” Go beyond simple conversation to assess fluency by requesting a written translation of a sales email or pitch or conducting a role-play simulating a client negotiation in Spanish.
17. Retail sales
Included in 4.18% of sales job postings
Retail sales experience builds a strong foundation, especially for customer-facing roles. It involves understanding customer needs, overcoming objections and driving purchase decisions.
Emphasize transferable retail sales skills with terms such as “customer-centric sales experience” or “previous retail sales success.” Use behavior-based interview questions to assess experience. Try asking candidates to describe a time they provided exceptional customer service or successfully persuaded a hesitant buyer.
18. Analysis skills
Included in 3.99% of sales job postings
Data-driven selling requires strong analytical skills to identify trends, forecast performance and make informed decisions. Sales reps with a fast, analytical way of thinking naturally deliver results.
Seek out candidates with strong analytical skills using targeted keywords like “sales data analysis,” “data-driven forecasting” or “experience interpreting sales metrics.” When it comes to measuring skills, mimic a real-world scenario to get the most accurate results. Provide candidates with a sample dataset and ask them to generate actionable insights and recommendations to improve sales performance.
19. Computer literacy
Included in 3.44% of sales job postings
A strong grasp of basic computer systems and software is an essential sales rep skill. The better your team is at using tech, the easier it will be for them to adapt to new software and systems moving forward. This includes proficiency in email, word processing, data management and internet research.
To find computer-literate applicants, target sales-specific tools using terminology like “proficient in CRM software” or “Salesforce experience.”
In interviews, simulate common tasks to measure literacy. Have candidates navigate your CRM, format a sales report in Excel or conduct online research to find potential leads.
20. B2B sales
Included in 3.21% of sales job postings
B2B sales require a specialized skill set to navigate complex deals and nurture long-term client relationships.
Find candidates who are comfortable with the complexity of B2B deals with terminology such as “enterprise B2B sales experience,” “complex sales cycles” or “proven track record in closing large deals.”
You can assess candidates’ experience by discussing sales strategies. Ask candidates to describe their approach to B2B lead generation or outline their strategy for closing a complex sale.
21. Microsoft Outlook
Included in 3.20% of sales job postings
Sales professionals rely on Microsoft Outlook for seamless email management, well-organized contact information and efficient scheduling. Target candidates who can leverage Outlook for sales-specific tasks with terms such as “Outlook for sales communication,” “managing sales calendars in Outlook,” or “experience using Outlook for CRM integration.”
Use practical simulations to assess proficiency. Request that candidates demonstrate how to create an email template, schedule a follow-up in Outlook or manage client contact information efficiently.
22. Leadership
Included in 3.04% of sales job postings
Whether to lead a team or take ownership of client relationships, strong leadership skills empower sales professionals to drive success. This involves setting ambitious goals, taking initiative proactively and communicating with knowledgeable assurance.
Home in on sales leaders with “sales leadership experience” or “demonstrated ability to inspire and mentor teams.” You can get a measure of leadership potential by asking candidates to describe their greatest achievement in leading a sales team. Alternatively, ask them to explain how they successfully navigated a team through a challenging sales situation.
23. Outside sales
Included in 2.65% of sales job postings
Outside sales professionals excel at field-based selling, building relationships face-to-face and generating leads outside the office environment.
Focus on initiative and adaptability with keywords like “field sales experience,” “self-starter with strong lead generation skills” or “proven success in outside sales.”
Explore their comfort level with travel and independent work to see how well-suited they are to outside sales. Perhaps ask them to describe a successful deal closed solely through their own initiative within a field-based sales role or how they stayed consistently motivated in a self-directed role.
24. Salesforce
Included in 2.40% of sales job postings
Fluency in Salesforce, a leading CRM platform, is a sought-after skill of a salesperson. It enables streamlined lead management, sales pipeline tracking and comprehensive reporting.
Employers looking for applicants with Salesforce expertise should use phrases such as “proficient in Salesforce” or “experience using Salesforce for sales management.”
Learn more about a candidate’s aptitude by using hands-on simulations involving typical Salesforce tasks, reviewing case studies demonstrating their Salesforce knowledge or examining work samples within the Salesforce environment.
25. Account management
Included in 2.23% of sales job postings
Account management is a vital sales representative skill for maintaining long-term client relationships, identifying upselling opportunities and maximizing customer lifetime value. Discover relationship-focused closers with keywords like “account management for client retention,” “ability to build long-term client relationships” and “strategic mindset for upselling and cross-selling”.
You can learn about an applicant’s account management prowess by requesting examples of long-term clients they managed successfully and discussing strategies for fostering client loyalty.
Other top sales skills in demand
Here are an additional 25 skills of sales representative that are common in sales job postings on Indeed:
26. Commercial driving: Included in 2.22% of sales job postings
27. CRM software: Included in 2.19% of sales job postings
28. Writing skills: Included in 2.19% of sales job postings
29. Business development: Included in 2.16% of sales job postings
30. Cash handling: Included in 1.81% of sales job postings
31. Basic math: Included in 1.74% of sales job postings
32. Product demos: Included in 1.69% of sales job postings
33. Project management: Included in 1.60% of sales job postings
34. Supervising experience: Included in 1.58% of sales job postings
35. Cashiering: Included in 1.55% of sales job postings
36. Loan processing: Included in 1.30% of sales job postings
37. Upselling: Included in 1.29% of sales job postings
38. Inventory control: Included in 1.18% of sales job postings
39. Sales management: Included in 1.18% of sales job postings
40. Quicken: Included in 1.17% of sales job postings
41. Hair styling: Included in 1.14% of sales job postings
42. Math: Included in 1.05% of sales job postings
43. Pricing: Included in 1.03% of sales job postings
44. Military: Included in 1.00% of sales job postings
45. Lending: Included in 0.88% of sales job postings
46. Contracts: Included in 0.87% of sales job postings
47. Hospitality: Included in 0.85% of sales job postings
48. Social media management: Included in 0.83% of sales job postings
49. Lead generation: Included in 0.83% of sales job postings
50. Merchandising: Included in 0.83% of sales job postings
¹Indeed data (US), January 2023 – Dec 2023
