Inside sales associates operate in a sales office creating relationships and selling products or services to potential customers via telephone, Internet, or (less often) via mail. They are able to work with lists of contacts created through computers or other methods and then call those on the list to try and make sales. In most cases they use written scripts that explain the advantages of the product or services they sell to potential customers. In many cases inside sales associates are employed in call centers with numerous other employees who are trying to make sales.
The most important skill every salesperson should possess can be a skill to effectively communicate. In the course of their entire daytime, sales representatives have to deal with a variety of customers, and all of them must be convinced to buy their items or products. It is essential that the inside sales representative is able to quickly and efficiently deal with customer issues and concerns. A capacity to keep an upbeat and positive attitude, even after rejection is crucial for this job. Computer skills of a basic level are also essential to inside sales representatives, too.
Most of the time inside sales associate jobs require a minimum of a graduation from high school or equivalent, and the training is provided in the workplace. A college degree could be beneficial or preferable depending on the product or services that are being advertised and allows associates to address customers' concerns in a professional manner.