Career profile · Business
Sales Representative
Career summary
A sales representative sells a company's products or services to customers. You might visit shops and businesses, phone customers, or show a product in person. Your job is to find buyers, explain what you sell, take orders and keep customers happy so they buy again. Reps work in many fields, from food and hardware to medicine and machines.
You do not need a university degree to start. Employers set their own entry rules. Many ask for matric, and a few prefer a diploma. Most sales jobs need no professional registration, but selling some financial products, such as insurance, can bring an extra exam and training.
Some sales reps earn a basic salary plus commission, so your pay depends on your sales. Many field jobs expect a driver's licence and a car, either your own or the company's. The job suits people who enjoy talking to others, can handle hearing no, and stay motivated without a boss watching.
A Day in the Life
Most reps sell in the field, driving between customers. Inside sales reps do similar work by phone or video from an office. This is a day for a field rep.
Plan your calls — You check your call list, your targets and any orders waiting. Many field adverts expect a set number of customer calls or store visits every day, so planning your route saves time.
Visit customers — You visit shops, clinics or businesses. You check how your products are displayed and priced, talk about new stock and take orders. In technical jobs you may also demonstrate the product.
Win new customers — You also look for new buyers by cold calling and walking into stores that do not yet stock your products. Many will say no. The few who say yes can become regular customers.
Drive between customers — Field reps spend hours on the road, in their own car or with a car allowance. Some jobs mean long trips within a province, and a few go into other African countries.
Capture the day's work — You log calls, orders and photos in the company's CRM, which is a customer record system, and send in your orders. You may also follow up customers who are late with payment.
Choose this career if…
- You genuinely like people
- You keep your cool when someone is rude to you
- You push through when it gets hard
- You can work without someone checking on you
- You do what you said you would do
- You can handle being away from home for long stretches
- You are comfortable with numbers
Qualification
On-the-job training with an employer
Employers set their own entry rules, and many ask for matric. They train you on the job.
National Occupational Certificate: Sales Representative
Mixes study, practical skills and a big workplace part (85 of 155 credits). Entry is an NQF 3 qualification, at least three years of wholesale and retail sales work, or recognition of prior learning (RPL).
SAQA ID 121792 · NQF 4 · 155 credits
Higher Certificate in Marketing Management
A starting qualification in marketing. Several institutions offer a higher certificate in marketing. Each institution registers its own SAQA ID, so IDs differ.
SAQA ID 121176 · NQF 5 · 120 credits
Diploma in Marketing Management
A 360-credit marketing diploma at NQF 6, for matric learners who qualify for diploma study. Each institution registers its own SAQA ID, so IDs differ.
SAQA ID 99021 · NQF 6 · 360 credits
Bachelor of Commerce in Marketing Management
A 360-credit NQF 7 degree for matric learners with a Bachelor's pass. Some institutions do not accept Mathematical Literacy, and others ask a higher mark than for Mathematics. Each institution registers its own SAQA ID.
SAQA ID 96745 · NQF 7 · 360 credits
The NQF 4 certificate has its own entry rules
The National Occupational Certificate: Sales Representative asks for an NQF 3 qualification, at least three years of sales work in wholesale and retail, or recognition of prior learning (RPL) for access. SAQA currently lists no accredited providers.
Salary
Commission means pay that can change
Some sales jobs pay a basic salary plus commission. In a slow month your commission can be small. Before you accept a job, ask what the basic salary is and exactly how commission is worked out.
Matric Requirements
Pass type you need
- On-the-job training with an employer: Matric not required
- National Occupational Certificate: Sales Representative: Matric not required
- Higher Certificate in Marketing Management: National Senior Certificate at Higher Certificate level
- Diploma in Marketing Management: National Senior Certificate at Diploma level
- Bachelor of Commerce in Marketing Management: National Senior Certificate with a Bachelor’s degree pass
Mathematical Literacy can limit the BCom route
Some universities do not accept Mathematical Literacy for a Bachelor of Commerce, and some private institutions accept it only at a higher mark than Mathematics needs. If you may want a degree later, think carefully before you drop Mathematics.
Mathematics or Maths Literacy?
Worth knowingGrade 10 and 11 · still reversible
This week, decide which route you want. Some BCom degrees do not accept Mathematical Literacy, so check the entry rules of the institutions you like. If you are unsure, keep Mathematics. Whichever you choose, work on your English and learn spreadsheets, because reps use English all day and some use spreadsheets.
You take Mathematics
- Keeps the Bachelor of Commerce in Marketing Management possible, if you reach the mark each institution asks for.
- At some institutions, meets the maths rule for marketing diplomas at a lower mark than Mathematical Literacy does.
You take Mathematical Literacy
- May close the Bachelor of Commerce in Marketing Management, because some institutions do not accept Mathematical Literacy for it and others ask for a higher mark.
- Keeps the National Occupational Certificate: Sales Representative open, because its SAQA record sets no maths rule.
- Leaves marketing diplomas to each institution's entry rules, because the SAQA record sets no maths rule. Check before you choose.
Best School Subjects
Essential
- English · Home Language or First Additional Language. Needed for marketing diplomas and for talking to customers all day.
Strongly recommended
- Business Studies · Teaches selling, marketing and how businesses make money.
Also useful
- Mathematics · Some universities need it for the BCom route. Check each institution's entry rules.
- Accounting · Helps with quotes, discounts and reading a customer's account.
- Economics · Helps you understand prices, demand and competition.
- Computer Applications Technology · Some reps use spreadsheets or CRM software to keep sales records.
Practical Requirements
FAIS regulatory exam (RE5) for selling financial productsRequirement
Being appointed as a representative of an authorised financial services provider to sell financial products. It does not apply to other sales jobs. This applies only if you sell financial products, such as insurance, for an authorised financial services provider. You must pass the RE5 exam before you are appointed, and meet the qualification and training rules in the Fit and Proper Determination. Exam exemptions (s25(b)) cover Category I provider staff appointed only for Long-term Insurance subcategory A, Friendly Society Benefits, simpler Tier 2 products, or scripted Tier 1 sales that meet set conditions. Other sales jobs do not need this exam.
Required by law · Determination of Fit and Proper Requirements for Financial Services Providers, Board Notice 194 of 2017 (GG 41321, 15 December 2017), ss 22(b), 23, 24, 25(b), 26(1) and (6), 29 and Table A (made under s6A of the FAIS Act 37 of 2002), as amended by GN 707 of 2020 (GG 43474, 26 June 2020)
Many field jobs ask for a licence and a car, yours or the company's
Many field adverts make a driver's licence a job rule, and ask for your own reliable vehicle or give a car allowance. Check this before you apply. Running a car is a real cost.
Alternative careers
Related careers. Each has its own entry requirements — check every one separately.
Travel Agent
Sells trips and bookings to travellers.
Career Ladder
- Sales Representative · On-the-job training with an employer. The National Occupational Certificate: Sales Representative (NQF 4) is for people with an NQF 3 qualification or at least three years of sales work in the wholesale and retail industry.
- Senior Sales Representative · Experience as a sales representative
- Key Account Manager · Key account experience. Some employers prefer a degree or diploma in sales, marketing or business.
- Sales Manager · Experience leading a sales team
- National Sales Manager · Senior sales experience. Some employers prefer a degree or diploma in sales, marketing or business.
Last reviewed November 2026. We work hard to keep this information accurate, but details can change — always verify before making a career decision. Tell us something is out of date.
