what is a telesales executive?
When you are a telesales executive, you sell your company's products over the phone. Your primary goal is to boost revenue through telephone sales. That means you should be a good negotiator with a deep understanding of the product features. Aside from selling products, you drum up advertisements and inform customers of available discounts.
Apart from generating income through sales, telesales executives manage client accounts and maintain good relationships with customers. It is your job to remind clients to renew their orders or inform them of current deals. The management monitors your calls and pitches since large sums of money are often in play, making a significant difference in the company's annual revenue.
what does a telesales executive do?
Many people often confuse telesales with telemarketing, but they differ. Telesales executives aim to encourage repeat business and support field sales representatives by setting up appointments. On the other hand, telemarketing takes a broader scope by using phone calls to build interest, produce leads and get customer feedback. Telemarketers create sales prospects while telesales executives convert the prospects into sales and repeat buyers.
Would working as a telesales executive suit your persuasion and negotiation skills? Then read on to find out what competencies and qualifications you need to thrive in a telesales executive role.
average salary of a telesales executive
The average salary of a telesales executive is £18,719 per year, according to ONS. However, some earn as low as £16,000 annually, while others earn over £24,000. Apart from the basic salary, many companies provide lucrative bonuses for achieving targets or bringing in big clients. You will also receive allowances and numerous benefits.
how to increase your salary as a telesales executive
The amount you earn as a telesales executive depends on many factors. For instance, the geographical location can increase or reduce your salary due to regional pay gaps. Working in London boosts your compensation package compared to working in small cities. The industry sector also influences your pay and affects the bonuses you receive. If you are a telesales executive for financial or insurance products, your compensation package is higher than telesales agents in customer services.
You will earn more in a company that provides commissions if you close multiple deals or generate additional leads. If the commissions are uncapped, your salary will increase significantly. Educational qualifications also increase your salary by boosting your chances of promotion to specialised sales roles with better wages.
types of telesales executives
As a telesales executive, you can perform general duties in telesales or specialise in specific areas such as:
- outbound telesales executive: as an outbound telesales executive, your job is to contact potential customers by phone and create interest in your employer's product. You also reach out to the leads generated to close deals or assist them with the purchase process.
- inbound telesales executive: when you are an inbound telesales agent, your role is to receive calls from prospective clients who want additional information on the products you sell. Existing customers can also call to place an order or make inquiries about a purchase.
working as a telesales executive
Get a clear picture of working as a telesales executive by discovering the career's daily tasks and work schedule.
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telesales executive job description
Specific tasks of a telesales executive depend on the industry sector, but some of the typical duties include:
- lead generation: as a telesales executive, you utilise data provided by telemarketers to generate leads for field sales teams. Your job is to contact potential clients and build awareness of your client's products or call existing customers to inform them of new product releases and promotions. You also receive phone calls from people responding to advertisements and direct marketing. Your task is to follow a script and qualify leads that are likely to buy.
- direct sales: when you are a telesales representative, you target previous customers for repeat business. You can also promote direct sales by persuading promising leads to make a purchase.
- assisting customers in placing orders: it is your job to process orders for your customers. Taking orders allows you to cross-sell and offer additional products to customers based on their buying habits. When you handle orders, the sales team can focus on selling in the field.
- creating sales reports and managing accounts: when you are a telesales executive, you create and manage an individual account for each customer. You also generate a daily activity report that shows the number of leads, customers and sales.
- customer service: after closing a sale, it is important to make a follow-up phone call to the customers to ask if they are satisfied. The feedback should be documented to assist in improving the company's services.
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work environment
As a telesales executive, you are likely to work at a call centre or the sales department of a large company. You will spend your office hours on your desk answering telephone calls and preparing reports. The work environment is competitive since the job is target driven such as sales representative jobs, and the work culture requires you to look professional and smart. Some companies allow telesales executives to work from home or remotely. However, you have similar targets as the employees who work from the call centre.
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work schedule
When you are a telesales executive, you work over 40 hours a week. While the job covers the regular 9 to 5 work routines, sometimes you have to work overtime, including evenings. Telesales executive positions are flexible, and you don't have to work full-time. You can get a part-time job or remote work. Large call centres operate 24 hours a day on a shift basis, and sometimes you work early morning or night shifts. Telesales executive positions do not involve travelling unless you are attending a conference.
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job outlook
Telesales executive is an entry-level position into a promising career in sales and marketing. The profession gives you multiple options for progression. You can focus on a particular field or take on a managerial position. It is easy to progress from a telesales executive position to the sales manager position. Besides, you retain your responsibilities and manage other sales executives. When you are a sales manager, the next step is to become a marketing manager and marketing director. Alternatively, telesales executives can choose a specific niche and become account managers or relationship managers in customer service.
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advantages of finding a telesales executive job through randstad
Finding your telesales executive job through Randstad provides important advantages such as:
- a wide variety of training and development opportunities
- an experienced contact person to provide help if needed
- a range of opportunities in your area
- get paid weekly or monthly, depending on the job
- temporary and permanent contracts
Want a permanent contract? A temporary job as a telesales executive is often a stepping stone to an attractive permanent job. Every year, thousands of people earn a permanent contract with great employers thanks to a temporary job found through Randstad. What's more, many companies recruit their permanent employees through Randstad too!
education and skills
Becoming a telesales executive does not require educational qualifications, but they can propel your career. Some of the entry routes into the career include:
- college: you need a few GCSEs with passing grades 9 to 4 in Maths and English since your work involves a lot of communication and numbers. You can pursue Business and Technology Education Council (BTEC) Level 2-3 in sales or City & Guilds Level 3 in sales. Telesales executives also complete diploma courses in business administration, finance and retail.
- degree: if you want to improve your competitiveness in sales, a foundation degree and undergraduate degree can boost your chances. For a telesales executive position, you should pursue a degree in marketing, sales or business management. It is possible to get a job in telesales with a degree in any field. For instance, a science degree gets you a telesales job in the sales department of a pharmaceutical company.
- work experience: as a telesales executive, you need work experience to convince your potential employer to hire you. Internships and volunteering work can showcase your skills and make you competitive.
skills and competencies
In telesales, your skills and passion will improve your career prospects. Some of the transferable skills you need include:
- communication skills: as a telesales executive, you need expertise in striking and maintaining meaningful conversations with prospective buyers. It is crucial to understand verbal cues and customer tone and adjust your voice to build rapport. Communication skills help you explain complex product features in simple terms. Being an active listener also helps you understand customers' concerns and adjust your services to boost satisfaction.
- interpersonal skills: when you are a telesales executive, you need emotional intelligence and empathy to create rapport over the phone. Collaborating with other sales agents also helps you increase revenue.
- negotiation abilities: as a telesales executive, you need to meet sales quotas. That means you persuade customers to buy your employer's products and convince current clients to order more. Your negotiation skills help you convince buyers to purchase your products and deal with complaints and customers' concerns.
- using telephone and computer systems: aside from taking calls, you need to be an expert in customer relationship management (CRM) software.
FAQs
FAQs about working as a telesales executive
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what are the duties of telesales executives?
A telesales executive persuades prospecting buyers to make purchases over the phone. They also follow up on leads provided by the marketing team.
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what is the salary in telesales?
The average salary of a telesales executive is £18,719 annually. However, you can earn up to £24,000 if you increase your qualifications and work experience. Some business sectors also pay more and provide better commissions and bonuses.
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is working as a telesales executive a good career?
Telesales is a promising career that opens opportunities in the sales and marketing profession. With additional qualifications, you can become a sales manager or account manager.
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how do I hire a telesales executive?
You can hire a telesales executive through an employment agency or post a job advert to receive applications. Use personality profiling to identify potential candidates and plan an interview.
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how can I be a good telesales executive?
You need transferable skills like communication and negotiation abilities to become a good telesales executive. With the skills and competencies, you can meet your sales quotas.
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how do I apply for a telesales executive vacancy?
Applying for a telesales executive job is easy: create a Randstad profile and search our job offers for vacancies in your area. Then simply send us your CV and cover letter. Need help with your application? Check out all our job search tips here!
