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What is a sales leader and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
Quoted Expert
Joseph Hancock
introduction image

A sales leader manages a team of sales representatives to achieve revenue goals. They set and execute sales strategies, providing training and analyzing performance data to identify areas for improvement. Sales leaders also collaborate with other departments to ensure alignment with overall business objectives. They frequently communicate with clients and prospects to build relationships and close deals. A successful sales leader has a deep understanding of their industry and the ability to inspire their team.

What's a day at work look like for a Sales Leader?

J

Joseph HancockJoseph Hancock LinkedIn Profile

Research Professor, Program Director, Former Retail Operations Manager, Drexel University, Antoinette Westphal College of Media Arts & Design

New graduates will need to be self-disciplined and self-motivated. No one is going to hold your hand and tell you "get to work" or you will soon be looking for a new job. The new world may be one where you don't go to an office, but instead work right from home, scheduling appointments and doing your own calendar. My last years working for Target in a regional field position taught me that no one was going to motivate me each day, I had to motivate myself. Also, it can be lonely working from home as a new graduate, so find outside interests and ways to make friends. I am from the old fashion ideologies that getting a hobby is extremely important, and that hobby is not going to the gym or watching television. It includes something that enriches your life to be a better person in society.
ScoreSales LeaderUS Average
Salary
5.4

Avg. Salary $68,699

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability Level
9.4

Growth Rate 5%

Growth Rate 0.3%

Diversity
8.4
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.65%

Asian 6.92%

Black or African American 8.40%

Hispanic or Latino 17.74%

Unknown 4.64%

White 61.65%

Gender

female 59.31%

male 40.69%

Age - 42
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 42
Stress Level
9.4

Stress level is very high

7.1 - high

Complexity Level
5.2

Complexity Level is intermediate

7 - challenging

Work Life Balance
4.6

Work Life balance is fair

6.4 - fair

What are the pros and cons of being a Sales Leader?

Pros

  • High earning potential through commission and bonuses

  • Ability to travel for work and attend events

  • Potential for career advancement in the company

  • Ability to work independently and manage own schedule

  • Opportunity to be creative in sales strategies

Cons

  • Long hours, including evenings and weekends

  • Constant rejection from potential clients and customers

  • Difficulty in maintaining work-life balance

  • Possibility of burnout from high workload and stress

  • Difficulty in handling difficult clients or customers

Sales Leader career paths

Key steps to become a sales leader

  1. Explore sales leader education requirements

    Most common sales leader degrees

    Bachelor's

    53.7 %

    Associate

    18.6 %

    High School Diploma

    18.3 %

  2. Start to develop specific sales leader skills

    Skills
    ascdesc
    		Percentages
    ascdesc
    Product Knowledge10.35%
    Customer Service10.25%
    Sales Floor8.60%
    Store Management5.73%
    Loss Prevention5.52%
    Show more

  3. Complete relevant sales leader training and internships

    Accountants spend an average of 6-12 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New sales leaders learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a sales leader based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real sales leader resumes.

  4. Gain additional sales leader certifications

    Sales leader certifications can show employers you have a baseline of knowledge expected for the position. Certifications can also make you a more competitive candidate. Even if employers don't require a specific sales leader certification, having one may help you stand out relative to other applicants.

    The most common certifications for sales leaders include Certified Sales Professional (CSP) and Certified Management Accountant (CMA).

    More About Certifications

  5. Research sales leader duties and responsibilities

    • Manage to sales KPI's (including sales and expense budget numbers), assuring efficient and effective use of resources.
    • Manage all lead activity for a specific vertical sales territory, identifying opportunities and engaging appropriate field sales representatives.
    • Provide excellent customer service, operate cash register, offer product and pet knowledge.
    • Charge with training new associates for visual updates, stock processing, client experience, product knowledge, and POS.

  6. Get sales leader experience

    Generally, it takes 4-6 years to become a sales leader. The most common roles before becoming a sales leader include sales associate, assistant manager team lead and cashier.

  7. Prepare your sales leader resume

    When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your sales leader resume.

    You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a sales leader resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

    Choose From 10+ Customizable Sales Leader Resume templates

    Build a professional Sales Leader resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your Sales Leader resume.
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    Sales Leader Resume

  8. Apply for sales leader jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for a sales leader job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

    1. Browse job boards for relevant postings
    2. Consult your professional network
    3. Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
    4. Watch out for job scams

How Did You Land Your First Sales Leader Job

Zippi

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Average sales leader salary

The average Sales Leader salary in the United States is $68,699 per year or $33 per hour. Sales leader salaries range between $33,000 and $139,000 per year.

Average Sales Leader Salary
$68,699 Yearly
$33.03 hourly
More sales leader salary info

What Am I Worth?

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Sales Leader reviews

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A zippia user wrote a review on Mar 2020
Pros

Safety of the employees and opportunities to learn and leadership

Cons

Not to be listened by the employees

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Sales Leader FAQs

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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

Updated January 8, 2025

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