How To Find Work From Home Based Sales Jobs

Some industries are more naturally suited to this style of work than others, but you might be surprised at how many telecommuting opportunities are available in nearly any field.

If you work in sales and want to shift from working in an office to working from your couch, you’re in luck — there are a plethora of remote sales jobs out there.

You aren’t the only one who thinks this would be a nice setup, though, so you’ll likely have quite a bit of competition for these positions. While your sales qualifications are vital to helping you stand out from the crowd, you’ll also need to showcase your soft skills to prove that you would be a successful home-based employee.

Skills You’ll Need for a Remote Sales Job

Employers have learned from experience that not every employee can successfully work from home, no matter how technically qualified they are for the position. As a result, they’ll want to see that you also have these skills before they hire you for a remote role:

1. Self-motivation. No matter what type of job you have, working from home requires great amounts of self-motivation and independence.

   Not having your boss looking over your shoulder can be nice, but it also means you have less accountability and motivation to start on time and work diligently throughout the day.

   To be effective in a remote sales position, you’ll need to be able to work independently and motivate yourself to get and keep going every day.

2. Communication. When you’re working from home, you can’t just pop over into your coworker’s office to ask a question or explain something. You’ll have to rely on texts, emails, and phone calls, which can make it difficult to communicate effectively.

   This is especially true for positions that are entirely remote, because your coworkers probably haven’t had the chance to get to know you in person. It’s much easier to read the subtext in a written message from someone you know well than it is with one from someone you’ve never talked to face-to-face.

   You’ll also need to be comfortable over-communicating, since your email is only one of hundreds that your boss, colleague, or client will receive in any given day.

   Get comfortable following up on requests and rereading your emails before you send them to make sure your message is clear, and pay close attention to complicating factors such as time zones when scheduling meetings and due dates.

3. Ability to learn new technology. Remote work is heavily reliant on technology, so when you get a new job that allows you to work from home, you’re going to need to learn the programs your employer uses to do this, as well as the software that you need to use to actually do your job.

   While most companies won’t expect you to have used every program out there, they will expect you to be able to pick it up quickly and without much help.

4. Dependability. Just because you’re working alone in your home doesn’t mean you aren’t still on a team. Others will be counting on you to do your job well, so make sure you show potential employers that you won’t let them down.

   Remember that some conversations move more slowly when everyone is working from home, so be proactive and reach out for help as soon as you run into a problem. Even just letting your team or boss know that something has come up, whether it’s personal or professional, will go a long way in helping projects go smoothly.

5. Organization. Strong organizational skills are important to have for any job, but they’re especially important for a remote position.

   Being able to independently track quotas, client needs, and your coworkers’ schedules is vital to successfully working from home.

6. Time management. When you’re working from home, it’s important to establish and keep a routine.

   There isn’t a one-size-fits all standard for a routine like this, though. For example, you may not be able to start work at the same time every day because you have to take your kids to school at different times throughout the week, but starting as soon as you get home and end when you have to go pick them up is still a routine.

   The important thing is to establish boundaries around your work time so that you can get your work done and then be fully present during your hours off-duty.

7. Work-life balance. It may seem like working remotely is conducive to a good work-life balance, and it can be, but it’s also all too easy to let work take over your personal life when you don’t have an office to leave each day.

   This will quickly burn you out and damage your relationships, so it’s important to take steps to separate your professional life from your personal life.

   Set an end-of-work-day routine to help your brain switch from work to home mode, and refresh yourself by being intentional about spending time with friends, getting outside regularly, and taking time for your hobbies.

Equipment You’ll Need for a Remote Sales Job

The specific equipment you need to work from home in a sales position will vary by the company, and some will even provide it for you.

If they don’t, though, you’ll typically need a reliable phone, computer, and high speed internet connection, as well as the following:

1. A headset. You’ll likely be making a lot of calls, so a quality set of headphones with a microphone will allow you to talk hands-free without putting a permanent crick in your neck.

2. VPN. Some companies may require you to have a VPN to make sure that the data on your computer is safe, especially if you’re going to be working in more public places like coffee shops or hotels. Others may just want you to have secure, password-protected wifi at home.

3. A comfortable chair. You don’t need to break the bank for a perfectly ergonomic chair, but you do need one that you don’t mind sitting in all day. Even if you’re working from the kitchen table, having a good chair will make all the difference in the world.

4. A quiet workspace. You’ll need to be able to have a distraction free space where you can focus on your work. This is especially important if you live with other people (or pets), and some companies even require it.

5. Monitors. Having an extra monitor or two can make working from home significantly easier. It’ll make you feel more like you’re in a real office and save your eyes and neck from straining to see your tiny laptop screen.

6. External mouse and keyboard. These accessories can be surprisingly inexpensive, and they can do a lot to help your setup be more comfortable and efficient, especially if you’re working from a monitor.

7. Paper and pens. It may sound old-fashioned, but make sure you always have a pen and a notebook or pad ready for taking quick notes during phone calls or for jotting down a to-do before you forget it. Plus, switching to paper can be refreshing after a day of staring at a screen.

8. Something fun. You’re going to be spending a lot of time in your workspace, so it’s worth the effort to make it as comfortable and pleasant as possible. Add a houseplant, a fun desk toy, or a candle to help make your time there more enjoyable.

How Flexible is a Remote Job?

When you think about working from home, you might be envisioning total freedom to manage your work schedule how you want to.

While this can be true for some companies, others will want you to be at your desk from 9:00 – 5:00, or at least consistent hours each day.

When you’re in the final stages of interviewing for a remote job, it’s worth asking what their expectations are for this. Just make sure you word it carefully so that it doesn’t sound like you’re already planning to work the minimum amount required.

Companies That Hire for Remote Sales Positions

To help you get started on your job search, here are some companies that have quite a few telecommuting employees and have posted remote sales jobs.

1. Progressive. Progressive has a strong home-based workforce, and they have many remote sales positions across the United States. They do often want you to be located in the specific area they hire you to cover, but they are still remote.

2. Wayfair. This furniture company has a wide variety of telecommuting positions, including in sales and customer service. If you happen to speak German and English, they also have quite a few roles that require that skillset.

3. Sutherland Global. A consulting company that works with organizations such as Airbnb, DHL, and Petco to develop and improve their systems, Sutherland has a massive remote workforce around the world, including sales and customer service representatives.

4. Stryker. Stryker is a medical technology company, and they have many work-from-home positions available throughout the year. Their remote sales representative openings are specialized for each of their product categories, so you can find one that would be the best fit for you.

5. Gartner. Gartner is an IT consulting and research company that helps businesses make the most of their technology. They have a large number of remote jobs around the world, making it the perfect place to look for a home-based sales job.

6. Wyndham Destinations. This hotel and vacation company has many work-from-home customer service and sales representatives. Some of these positions require candidates to be near their headquarters in Orlando, FL, but there are some jobs that can be done from anywhere.

7. Nestle. Nestle Waters, Nestle’s bottled water division, is the United State’s largest bottled water brand, and they hire an army of remote sales and customer service representatives.

Author

Abby McCain

Abby is a writer who is passionate about the power of story. Whether it’s communicating complicated topics in a clear way or helping readers connect with another person or place from the comfort of their couch. Abby attended Oral Roberts University in Tulsa, Oklahoma, where she earned a degree in writing with concentrations in journalism and business.