To elaborate on the term ‘sale’, the definition ‘exchange of a commodity or a service for money’ is a pretty good description. The sale of various commodities has always existed and there have always been salesmen, who travelled around and visited different cities to sell their goods. However, it wasn’t until the 19th century that different roles in sales were formed, as the trade in insurance took off.
Insurance used to be sold by different salesmen who would knock on the doors of families and sell them through different subscriptions. After a while, as the number of customers started to grow, it was realised that it was difficult to get new customers as all the salesmen were busy visiting the families who had subscriptions. That’s when they realised they needed to have different roles within the company: collectors who took care of all the subscriptions and producers who acquired new customers.
In recent years, sales have changed radically again, as society has become digitised and everyone now owns a smartphone or computer. People can now be reached via social media and email, and the sales profession can now also be pursued from behind a screen or a phone handset, without having to go door-to-door as in the past.
What does a sales agent do?
A sales agent helps to sell a company’s goods or services, to find new clients and to increase the company’s revenue. A sales agent is the face of the company and promotes their goods. This can be done by visiting customers or other businesses, or by telephone or other computer-mediated communication.
As a sales agent, you will have to find new customers, explain and demonstrate different products, and answer questions about the products or services offered by the company. A sales agent must achieve certain objectives for a company, such as
- Acquiring new customers
- Ensuring that the company retains its loyal customers
- Achieve agreed sales targets and results
- Responding to customer enquiries
- Carrying out market research
- Building and maintaining relationships with customers
Qualities that a good sales agent should have
- Be an active listener
- Self-confidence
- Empathy
- Adaptability
- Communication skills
- Organisational skills
- Ambition
- Charisma
- Patience
Benefits of working as a sales agent abroad
Flexible working hours
Working as a sales agent doesn’t always mean sitting in an office or at your desk all day. Many times you may need to consult with the company’s customers or go out to acquire new ones. It also depends a lot on your role and the company you work for but often you have a lot of freedom to organise your day the way you want as long as the job gets done.
Good salary and performance-based bonus
Sales agents tend to have a good starting salary to begin with and then there is usually a performance-based bonus if you sell well. Sometimes the job also comes with a company car or mobile phone, and you will also be reimbursed for various travel expenses.
The opportunity to work in another country
Working abroad can be a positive and fulfilling experience. In addition to the opportunity to discover and see another country, you can also gain work experience that you wouldn’t usually get if you only worked at home.
Working as a sales agent in another country can be an educational and different experience that also gives you the chance to mature as a person.
You can work in a multicultural environment
Many international companies abroad offer sales agent jobs in a multicultural environment, with colleagues from different countries around the world. In this way, you will gain experience in an international company and learn to work with colleagues from different countries and cultures.
You optimise your social skills
Every day that you work as a sales agent, you’ll practice your communication skills while becoming a better listener and seeing things from others’ perspectives.
You do not need to have any specific training
Working as a sales agent does not really require any specific training. It is of course a great advantage if you have worked in sales before and if you are an empathetic and outgoing person, but it is definitely not a requirement and anyone can work as a sales agent abroad.
Varied working day
If you like variety and don’t want to do the same thing every day, a sales agent job could be for you. Every day is different and you’ll meet new people all the time, and maybe even travel frequently with your company. What’s more, there are always new products or updates being developed that you need to keep on top of, so your working day is definitely varied.
Most often, full relocation packages are included
If you choose to work abroad for a large international company, they’ll usually offer you a relocation package, which usually includes an apartment, private health insurance, a good salary, training and education, free language lessons and free flights to your home country.
A perfect job for the sociable person
Working as a sales agent abroad means you will interact with different people you don’t personally know every day. This could be face-to-face or over the phone. If you enjoy communicating with other people and are good at human relations, you will thrive. It’s worth mentioning that being a sales agent isn’t all about talking to people and selling, sometimes there are days when you’re just sitting at your computer.
You have the opportunity to learn a new language
If you work for an international company, you will most likely speak English in the workplace, but in your free time and everyday life, not everyone around you may speak English (this also depends on the country you work in), so you have the chance to learn a new language and polish your English skills.
Disadvantages of working as a sales agent abroad
Stressful job
Working as a sales agent can involve a lot of stress. You work to achieve certain targets and in some cases you may even have performance-related pay. There is also generally a lot of competition among different companies with similar products, so it is a great advantage if you are stress-resistant or have learnt to manage stress effectively.
Living abroad and not knowing anyone can be lonely
When you move abroad (even if it’s only for a short period), you have to start all over again. You’re in a completely different country, far away from your family and friends, and you don’t really know anyone here. You may also not always get along with your work colleagues as they have a completely different background from yours.
Updates and new products
You often have to attend various training programmes to learn new sales techniques and marketing strategies, while also having to keep up to date with new products and services. This can lead to exhaustion and stress.
‘It takes all sorts to make a world’
Most people will be happy to work with you and you will certainly meet many nice people in your new job, but as with everything in life, there are also some less pleasant aspects of being a sales agent. There will always be people who don’t want to talk to you or who are not easy to communicate with, and you will also meet people who don’t want to listen to you or buy from you. Patience and good judgement are required.
If you are working as a sales agent abroad, there is a good chance that you will be sitting in an office making phone calls
If you’re working as a sales agent abroad, it’s highly likely that you’ll be sitting in an office making phone calls to people in other countries, at least initially. If you are hired to work with Swedish customers, you will have to call people in Sweden to sell different products or services by phone or online. In the beginning, the job can feel a bit monotonous and boring, but if you’re good at it, you’ll always have the opportunity to make a career and advance.
Handling complaints and solving problems
As well as selling, you’ll also have to deal with complaints and resolve issues, which can lead to frustration at times. The best solution is to keep calm and remember that it’s nothing personal. Attending different courses and trainings can also help you to communicate more easily with other people and improve your social skills.
Different countries where you can work as a sales agent
Nowadays, you can choose from a number of European countries that employ sales agents who can work on site. Some of these countries are:
- Work in Greece
- Working in the United Kingdom
- Work in Portugal
- Work in Romania
- Work in Malta
- Work in Spain
- Working in the Czech Republic
This often involves contacting various potential customers by telephone and selling various goods or services. Many companies are also looking for native speakers (including Swedish) for various target markets in Europe and around the world.
Working as a sales agent gives you the opportunity to work both as an employee for a particular company or to work freelance, if you wish, once you have built up a network and already have some regular customers.
‘Great salespeople are relationship builders who provide value and help their customers win’ – Jeffrey Gitomer
In this article, we’ve taken a closer look at the job of a sales agent and what it means to work in sales abroad. We’ve looked at both the pros and cons of the job and what qualities a good sales agent should have.
Working in sales is a rewarding and varied job, but it can also be demanding and stressful. If you have what it takes and you think it might be a job for you, there are many career opportunities in Europe.
