How to Become a Sales Advisor

Overview of the Sales Advisor Role

The role of a Sales Advisor is to help customers by advising them which product would be best suited to their needs. There are many industries in need of Sales Advisors from retail to real estate and hospitality.

A Sales Advisor will need to be approachable and friendly when speaking with customers to maximise sales potential. They must also be knowledgeable about the products they are selling and share detailed information with the customer.

Though Sales Advisor roles are usually customer-facing, these roles also extend to call centre jobs and outbound calls to new and existing customers.

Dress Code

A Sales Advisor will usually dress in business casual clothing. They should look neat and respectable, wearing well-fitting clothing such as dress pants, button-down shirts or blouses and closed-toe shoes.

Sales Advisor Responsibilities

Sales Advisors build customer relationships and help customers through all phases of a sale. They are responsible for providing detailed information about products and services so that the customer knows that they are buying what is right for them.

Sales Advisor Tips

Develop strong communication skills and have confidence when you speak to customers, as this will help them feel at ease with you. It is important to have a good knowledge of the company and its products so that you can discuss whatever the customer needs and give them clear advice.

Be sure to display enthusiasm to keep customers engaged and give them a pleasant sales experience.

Qualifications and Skills of a Sales Advisor

Becoming a Sales Advisor relies on interpersonal skills and your ability to communicate well. This is important for having the correct product knowledge, and to negotiate with buyers.

Communication & Interpersonal Skills

A customer will come to you when they need advice on a purchase and as a Sales Advisor, it is your job to provide the best service for them using active listening skills to understand their needs.

Communication is key in this role, as you need to be confident when speaking to customers to improve their experience. Be positive and enthusiastic in your responses and do not crumble under pressure, as this can affect sales quotas and productivity.

Persuasion & Negotiation

Depending on the industry that the Sales Advisor is in they might need to negotiate prices or persuade a customer to use a different product or service if it is better suited to their needs. 

Sometimes there will be opportunities to haggle prices or add services as a package. A Sales Advisor must know how to navigate situations where they can utilise these services or persuade a customer to choose a product that might be better in their price range. 

Service/Product Knowledge 

Product knowledge is essential for a Sales Advisor, as a customer usually chooses to speak to the Advisor when they need help. Having excellent service and product knowledge will help the customer choose what is best for them and increase the likelihood of a sale.

Understand the customer’s needs by listening to what they want and confidently speaking to them about the service or products the company supplies. This is how Sales Advisors build a good relationship with their customers.

Duties of a Sales Advisor

A Sales Advisor's role is to assist customers through the sales process from start to finish including transactions. They must also be able to manage stock levels and meet sales targets.

Assisting Customers with Transactions

Once the customer has chosen what they like it is up to the Sales Advisor to process their transaction. For this, they will need good numeracy and money-handling skills so they can process transactions confidently. Some transactions will contain large sums of money, and there are usually protocols to follow for these sales. The Advisor will need to understand these protocols and follow them correctly. 

Sometimes sales will involve payment plans, which will also involve the bank. It is the duty of the Sales Advisor to give the customer all the information they need to make these transactions a smooth process. 

Managing Stock Levels 

Depending on the industry the stock that the customers choose will be on shelves or in display cases, the Sales Advisor will be able to recognise when this stock needs to be replenished and how to do that while still being attentive to customer needs. 

It is important to follow correct health and safety regulations while managing stock, making sure that everything is put in a safe place where it cannot cause injury to staff or customers. 

Meeting Sales Targets 

Some Sales Advisor roles rely on commission, so it is important to meet targets wherever possible. The most important role of a Sales Advisor is to provide the best service to the customer and in turn this will help meet sales targets. 

Sales targets will usually be shown at the beginning of a shift or displayed for the staff to see, this helps to increase productivity, and meeting sales targets is important for career progression. 

Sales Advisor Career Progression and Advancement 

Sales Advisors can look to progress into Team Lead or Management roles if they choose to do so. This requires transferable skills that they will learn during their time as a Sales Advisor. 

Advancing to Team Lead or Manager Roles 

To advance to Team Lead or Manager roles, a Sales Advisor must accumulate experience in their role. They must also be capable of showing leadership skills within their role by helping other employees or mentoring new Sales Advisors. 

It is also important to increase your communication skills and consistently meet or surpass sales targets. 

Transferable Sales Advisor Skills 

There are many skills that a Sales Advisor can use in other work sectors. Having strong communication skills, active listening skills and teamwork skills are needed in all jobs. 

It is also good to improve your leadership capabilities or computer literacy to move into higher roles. Work on time management, problem-solving and organisation to have an all-round skill set that can help you push into other industries and roles. Use our Sales Advisor CV template to help you find the right industry for your skill set.

FAQs on Becoming a Sales Advisor 

Which Industries Employ Sales Advisors? 

Sales Advisors are employed in many industries including retail, healthcare, finance, hospitality and many more. 

How Much Does a Sales Advisor Earn? 

The average yearly income for a Sales Advisor is in the range of £20,000. There can also be additions such as bonuses and commissions that can increase this amount. 

What Does a Sales Advisor Do? 

A Sales Advisor’s job is to give customers advice on their purchase and potentially help them find something else better suited to their needs.