Salesman/Sales Representative
Sells products, services and subscriptions and builds lasting customer relationships.
Overview
A Salesperson is responsible for selling products, services, and subscriptions, either in a shop or directly to customers on behalf of a company. They are also expected to establish, develop and maintain positive business and customer relationships.
Where they work
- Any Public and Private Companies selling a product or a service will employ salespersons
Work environment
You will be working in a shop or showroom or make home calls. You are not likely to handle a team. Local travel is not a part of this job role. You will have to work for 5 to 6 days a week and 10 to 12 hours every day. This may vary from company to company.
Opportunities for work exist for differently abled in this field.
Skills and interests
This career might suit you if…
- You like to sell thing
- You can comfortably talk with all kinds of people
- You like to try to persuade people
Eligibility and education roadmap
Please check the duration of the course during enrolment.
Route 1
- 1Complete 10+2 in the Commerce stream.
- 2Complete Bachelor's degree in Commerce/Marketing/Sales and Marketing/Accounts and Finance/Finance or similar subjects
Alternative route 2
- 1Complete Diploma in Marketing and Sales/Retail Management/Finance Management or any related subject
Alternative route 3
- 1Complete Bachelor's degree followed by a Master's in the same or allied subject.
Forms, exams and applications
Exam names above are as printed in the source card. Application windows, eligibility and syllabi change — always check the official notification for current dates.
Where to apply
The course is offered by the Department of Commerce. This list of institutes is indicative only.
Government institutes
- University of Lucknow, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh
- University of Mumbai, Mumbai, Maharashtra
- Osmania University, Hyderabad, Telangana
- University of Allahabad, Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh
- Devi Ahilya Vishwavidyalaya, Indore, Madhya Pradesh
- Bangalore University, Bengaluru, Karnataka
- The University of Burdwan, Bardhaman, West Bengal
- Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda, Vadodara, Gujarat
- Chhatrapati Shahu Ji Maharaj University, Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh
- Jai Narain Vyas University, Jodhpur, Rajasthan
Private institutes
Please check if the institute is affiliated and accredited before applying.
- J.D. Birla Institute, Kolkata, West Bengal
- St. Xavier's College, Kolkata, West Bengal
- Christ University, Bengaluru, Karnataka
- Chandigarh University, Chandigarh
- Birla Institute of Technology and Science, Pilani, Rajasthan
- Galgotias University, Noida, Uttar Pradesh
- Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore, Tamil Nadu
- Nirma University, Ahmedabad, Gujarat
- Amity University, Noida, Uttar Pradesh
- SAGE University, Indore, Madhya Pradesh
These institute lists are indicative examples from the source card, not a ranked or complete directory. Always verify accreditation on the institute's official website.
Career outcomes
Growth path
- 1Shop Assistant → Distributor Salesman → Wholesale Dealer → Stockist
- 2Salesperson → Sales Associate → Store Manager
Related careers to explore
Marketing Manager
Develops marketing strategy, runs market research and turns demand into sales.
Medical Representative
Promotes and sells a pharmaceutical company's products to doctors, hospitals and clinics.
Student action plan
What you can do this month
- Read this whole roadmap and note any subjects, exams or institutes you don't recognise yet.
- Talk to a teacher or school counsellor about how your current subjects connect to Commerce.
- Look for a school club, competition or online course related to leading.
- Shortlist 2–3 institutes from the list above and check their official website for current admission details.
- Save this career and compare it with 1–2 others you're considering.
Example from the field
RS Sodhi — Former Amul managing director, he served the company for 13 years. He has a Bachelor's in agriculture engineering from College of Technology and Engineering, Udaipur, and a postgraduate degree in rural management from the Institute of Rural Management, Gujarat. He started his career as a salesperson with Amul in 1982 and rose to the position of the managing director in 2010.
SourceThis profile is shared for training/educational purposes only, as printed in the source card.
Sources and update notice
- Career card source: Exploring Career Paths with Career Cards, Volume 1, printed page 155 (NCERT / UNICEF India / PSSCIVE Bhopal, First Edition, April 2025).
- Income source: https://www.payscale.com/research/IN/Job=Salesperson_%2F_Salesman_%2F_Saleswoman/Salary
- Last reviewed on this site: 2026-08-21
Eligibility, fees, exam patterns and admissions change often. Always verify current details on official institute, exam-body or government websites before making decisions.