How to write an Outside Sales Representative job description

Your job description is the first touchpoint between your company and your new hire. With millions of people searching for jobs on Indeed each month, a great job description can help you attract the most qualified candidates to your open position. To get you started, here are some tips for creating an effective job description.

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A great job title typically includes a general term, level of experience and any special requirements. The general term will optimize your job title to show up in a general search for jobs of the same nature. The level of experience will help you attract the most qualified applicants by outlining the amount of responsibility and prior knowledge required. And if your position is specialized, consider including the specialization in the job title as well. But avoid using internal titles, abbreviations or acronyms to make sure people understand what your job posting is before clicking.

Outside Sales Representative
Senior Outside Sales Representative
Outside Sales Representative (Healthcare Industry)
Outside Sales Representative (Part-Time)
Outside Sales Associate

A great job description starts with a compelling summary of the position and its role within your company. Your summary should provide an overview of your company and expectations for the position. Outline the types of activities and responsibilities required for the job so job seekers can determine if they are qualified, or if the job is a good fit.

Our growing business is an Outside Sales Representative to increase sales in our Midwestern United States territory. The successful candidate will be responsible for establishing contact with existing customers, identifying new opportunities, and following up on potential leads. The Outside Sales Representative will also monitor industry trends in order to identify emerging markets and develop plans to utilize those markets to expand revenue. If you have prior experience in outside sales and a desire to expand your career, we want to hear from you.

The responsibilities and duties section is the most important part of the job description. Here you should outline the functions this position will perform on a regular basis, how the job functions within the organization and who the job reports to.

Generate sales reports each week and submitting them to management
Utilize all available resources to reach out to prospects and attempt to turn those prospects into customers
Collaborate with the management team to improve marketing materials and expand the company’s marketing presence in the Midwestern territory
Attend industry trade shows to accumulate new leads and make productive contact with existing clients
Update client information in the company contact database
Stay on top of industry trends to identify potential opportunities for company growth

Next, outline the required and preferred skills for your position. This may include education, previous job experience, certifications and technical skills. You may also include soft skills and personality traits that you envision for a successful hire. While it may be tempting to include a long list of skills and requirements, including too many could dissuade qualified candidates from applying. Keep your list of qualifications concise, but provide enough detail with relevant keywords and terms.

Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration or related field required
4+ years’ outside sales experience
Must be willing to travel up to 50 percent of the time
Strong computer skills and understanding of spreadsheet software
Self-motivated and comfortable working with little to no direction
Excellent interpersonal communication skills

Job Description Examples

Need help writing a job description for a specific role? Use these job description examples to create your next great job posting. Or if you’re ready to hire, post your job on Indeed.

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How to write an Outside Sales Representative job description

Outside Sales Representative job title

Examples of Outside Sales Representative job titles

Outside Sales Representative job summary

Example of an Outside Sales Representative job summary

Outside Sales Representative responsibilities and duties

Examples of Outside Sales Representative responsibilities

Outside Sales Representative qualifications and skills

Examples of Outside Sales Representative skills