How to Write an Effective Sales Job Description

Are you frustrated by the lack of sales at your company? You may need to shake things up and hire savvy new sales reps who can make things happen. But recruiting sales talent can be a considerable challenge, and you have no time to lose! At the same time, rushing to fill a sales position could lead to a poor match, underperformance, and, ultimately, churn. 

Most sales job postings sound the same, with generic descriptions, standard terminology, and industry cliches, and they do not personalize the position or the company. As professional sales recruiters will tell you, it’s crucial that your listing stands out from the competition to appeal to the best salespeople in your industry.

This guide shows you how to create a compelling and precise sales job description that attracts qualified candidates who are an excellent fit for your organization.

How Do You Describe a Sales Position?

An effective sales job description captures the essence of the role, attracts top talent, and aligns with your company’s objectives. It should include an engaging job title, a summary, detailed responsibilities, required qualifications and skills, and insights into the company’s culture and values.

Craft an Engaging Job Title

Candidates will be quickly scanning many job listings, and this is the first piece of information they’ll see. It isn’t enough to say “Sales Representative.” Try to include seniority level, responsibilities, and specializations without making the title too long. Providing details in the title will directly target the candidates you seek. For example, a sales manager, sales director, and sales associate have different roles and seniority levels. Specializations such as “West Coast Regional Sales Manager” or “B2B Sales Associate” are also helpful in attracting the best candidates. Don’t be too creative; you might miss those doing a simple search. Accuracy and specificity are most important.   

Provide a Descriptive Job Summary

What should be included in a sales job summary? This quick snapshot of the position and the type of candidate you’re looking for should be three to four sentences. Sprinkle in some company characteristics, such as “Large, well-established manufacturing company looking for…” or “Fun and feisty high-growth startup in need of…” A brief business description gives candidates additional insight to see if your company interests them and will help draw them in to keep reading. Include essential sales job qualifications and desired traits to describe your ideal candidate in an easy-to-read paragraph.

List Job Duties and Responsibilities

The job duties and responsibilities should be listed and easy to scan. Ensure that the sales job responsibilities are accurate by asking a sales representative or sales manager for a list of what they do on a typical day. This might include software fluency, how often they travel, and whether the job involves lead generation or cold calling. Be as specific as possible to make your job post unique and focus on precisely what your organization expects from this person.  

Indicate Required Qualifications and Skills

Ask your hiring manager and current employees with this role what they would look for in a candidate applying for the position. Specify required versus desired skills and qualifications. Be realistic and reasonable with the prerequisites. Include hard skills (e.g., computer skills, data analysis) and soft skills (e.g., critical thinking, detail-oriented).

Share Company Culture and Values

Include a brief description of your company’s values and its culture. It makes your job posting unique. It also gives the candidate a good idea of the company they’re applying to. Is it a small business or a large corporation? Is the company committed to diversity and environmental sustainability? Providing this information will attract the right type of sales professionals for the position and your organization and help you retain them. 

Attracting Top Sales Professionals

How do you make a sales job description appealing to top talent? Illustrate how your exciting career opportunity aligns with their ambitions and values. Show how your company enhances the employee experience. Write in a casual, friendly tone, and make the description engaging. Explain how they could make a difference in the company. Highlight career development opportunities. Offer a competitive compensation package. Consult a recruiting agency to help you craft the perfect job description and reach the right people.

Crafting a compelling sales job description doesn’t have to be a daunting task. At Culver Careers, our sales recruiters can help create a job posting that captivates top sales talent.