Sales Executive
Also advertised as: Account Executive, Business Development Executive, Field Sales Executive, Inside Sales Representative, Sales Consultant, Sales Development Representative
Wins new business by finding prospects, understanding their needs and closing deals.
What the job involves
Sales executives generate revenue. You research and contact prospects, qualify what they need, present a solution, handle objections and close. Performance is measured openly, and strong performers earn well early without a degree.
Typical responsibilities
- Prospect and qualify new leads
- Run discovery calls and demonstrations
- Prepare quotes and proposals
- Negotiate and close deals
- Maintain accurate CRM records
Common employers
- Software firms
- Manufacturers
- Media owners
- Business services
- Wholesalers
Pay, hours and working environment
Typical pay
£24,000 – £30,000 a year
With experience
£40,000 – £70,000 a year
Typical hours
37.5 to 40 hours
Working environment
Office, remote or on the road
Remote working
hybrid
Demand for this work
high
Pay ranges are indicative guidance drawn from advertised UK vacancies and published careers information. They are not an offer, and actual pay varies by employer, location and experience.
Skills and qualifications
Core skills
- Negotiation
- Objection handling
- CRM discipline
- Commercial questioning
- Resilience
Transferable skills you may already have
- Upselling in retail or hospitality
- Building rapport quickly
- Working to targets
Requirements employers ask for
- Negotiation
- Objection handling
- CRM discipline
- Commercial questioning
- Resilience
- No formal qualification required
- Driving licence for field roles
Useful but not essential
- Upselling in retail or hospitality
- Building rapport quickly
- Working to targets
- Level 4 Sales Executive apprenticeship
- ISM qualifications
Helpful qualifications
- Level 4 Sales Executive apprenticeship
- ISM qualifications
Licences and checks
- Driving licence for field roles
Ways into this career
A degree is only one route. Where an apprenticeship, work-experience or qualification route exists, it is listed here alongside the academic option.
Apprenticeships and work-based routes
- Sales Executive (Level 4)
- Experience route — Build evidence in a related role, then move across using your recorded achievements.
- Apprenticeship route — An apprenticeship lets you earn while you train towards this role.
Degree and college routes
- Related subject: Business
- Related subject: Marketing
- Related subject: Any
Where this career can lead
next
Senior Account Executive
next
Sales Manager
next
Business Development Manager
The good parts and the hard parts
What people enjoy
- Commission raises earnings quickly
- No degree barrier
- Results speak for themselves
What people find hard
- Targets reset every month
- Rejection is constant
Common questions
- Do you need a degree to become a sales executive?
- No. As well as degree routes, this career can be entered through an apprenticeship or by building experience and qualifications on the job. not_required
- How much does a sales executive earn in the UK?
- Typical advertised pay runs from £24,000 to £30,000 a year, rising towards £70,000 with experience. Figures are indicative guidance rather than an offer.
- What skills transfer into this career?
- Skills that transfer well include Upselling in retail or hospitality, Building rapport quickly, Working to targets.
Related careers
Account Manager
Looks after existing client relationships, renewing contracts and spotting growth opportunities.
Business Development Manager
Wins new customers and business partnerships to grow a company's revenue.
Telesales Executive
Sells products or services to customers over the phone, often working to daily call targets.
Where this information comes from
- National Careers Service
- Institute for Apprenticeships
Last reviewed 14 September 2026.
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