How to Be Sales Training Instructor - Job Description, Skills, and Interview Questions

Jun 26, 2022 / 5 Minutes Read / By Albert

How to Become

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Motivating sales teams to reach their goals is an important task for any Sales Training Instructor. The right training and guidance can cause a sales team to increase productivity and revenue, resulting in improved customer satisfaction, higher profits, and greater job satisfaction for employees. A successful Sales Training Instructor will understand the needs of the sales team and tailor their training to meet those needs.

They will be able to evaluate the performance of the team and identify areas where development or improvement is needed. By providing the team with the necessary tools, they can create an effective sales process that leads to success.

Steps How to Become

Obtain a Bachelor's Degree. A bachelor's degree is the minimum requirement to become a Sales Training Instructor. Focus your studies on areas such as marketing, business management, or communication.
Gain Relevant Work Experience. Having experience in the sales industry is essential for becoming a Sales Training Instructor. Look for positions in sales, customer service, and other related fields.
Become Certified. Earning certification can help you stand out from the competition when applying for positions. Consider becoming a Certified Professional Salesperson (CPS) or Certified Sales Trainer (CST).
Develop Your Presentation Skills. Being able to communicate effectively and engage with a crowd is important for a Sales Training Instructor. Take classes or workshops to refine your public speaking skills.
Create a Portfolio. Show potential employers your experience, certifications, and any other relevant qualifications. Create a portfolio that showcases your skills and expertise.
Find a Position. Search for open positions as a Sales Training Instructor. Network with professionals in the sales industry, attend job fairs, or apply online.

An effective sales training instructor must possess excellent communication skills, be organized and knowledgeable about the product or service they are teaching, and have the ability to motivate and engage learners. With these qualities, the instructor can provide an effective learning experience that will equip participants with the knowledge and skills necessary to become skilled and competent in sales. By understanding the fundamentals of sales, such as communication strategies, product knowledge, customer service techniques, and sales techniques, trainees can increase their chances of success.

Participants will then be able to apply their newly acquired knowledge and skills to their own sales scenarios and have a better understanding of the needs of their customers. As a result, they will be able to close more deals and increase their sales productivity.

You may want to check Executive Instructor, Computer Instructor, and CPR/AED and First Aid Training Instructor for alternative.

Job Description

Develop and deliver training programs to sales teams.
Design and implement sales training materials, including course outlines, handouts, exercises, and assessments.
Provide classroom instruction, online training sessions, and one-on-one coaching.
Evaluate participants skills and knowledge before and after training programs.
Monitor and track performance metrics of sales teams.
Identify areas of improvement and recommend strategies to increase sales productivity.
Collaborate with sales managers to develop strategies for better sales execution.
Work with marketing teams to create materials that increase sales success.
Analyze customer feedback and develop strategies to address customer concerns.
Stay up-to-date on the latest industry trends and technologies.

Skills and Competencies to Have

Knowledge of adult learning principles
Excellent presentation and facilitation skills
Strong organizational and time management skills
Ability to identify and use appropriate visual aids
Ability to create engaging, interactive activities
Knowledge of sales process, strategies and techniques
Knowledge of sales psychology and customer behavior
Proficiency in using technology to deliver training
Ability to diagnose and address individual sales challenges
Knowledge of sales assessment and evaluation tools
Ability to motivate, inspire and evaluate team performance
Strong communication and interpersonal skills
Experience in coaching, mentoring and providing feedback

Having a strong background and expertise in sales is essential for a Sales Training Instructor. The ability to understand and explain complex concepts, as well as provide practical advice and guidance to sales teams, is the most important skill for a successful Sales Training Instructor. The ability to communicate effectively with a wide range of audiences is also essential, as well as the ability to motivate and inspire sales teams.

Lastly, the ability to incorporate technology into sales training sessions is becoming increasingly important, as technology-driven sales solutions become more prevalent. A Sales Training Instructor must possess a diverse set of skills in order to be successful in their role, as it requires knowledge of both sales and training.

Automotive Technology Instructor, Instructor Pilot, and Technical Instructor are related jobs you may like.

Frequent Interview Questions

What experience do you have in sales training?
How have you prepared for and conducted successful sales training sessions?
What strategies have you used to help learners retain and apply what theyve learned?
What approach do you take to creating sales training materials?
How do you adjust your training to accommodate different learning styles and levels of experience?
How do you stay up-to-date with the latest trends and developments in sales training?
How do you handle difficult or unmotivated learners?
What methods do you use to assess the effectiveness of your training sessions?
What do you believe are the key elements of successful sales training?
How have you used technology to enhance your sales training sessions?

Common Tools in Industry

Presentation Software. Used to create visual aids such as slideshows, graphs, and charts. (e. g. Microsoft PowerPoint)
Learning Management System (LMS). A software platform used to manage and deliver training to employees. (e. g. Litmos)
E-Learning Software. Used to create interactive courses or modules to be used in training. (e. g. Adobe Captivate)
Collaboration Software. Used to facilitate communication between participants and instructors during training sessions. (e. g. Slack)
Video Conferencing Software. Used to facilitate online meetings and training sessions. (e. g. Zoom)
Virtual Classroom Software. Used to facilitate online training sessions with audio, video, and other interactive features. (e. g. Adobe Connect)
Screen Recording/Sharing Software. Used to record and share computer screens for virtual training sessions. (e. g. TechSmith Snagit)
Assessment Software. Used to create and deliver tests and surveys to measure training effectiveness. (e. g. Qualtrics)

Professional Organizations to Know

American Society for Training & Development (ASTD)
International Association for Continuing Education and Training (IACET)
Association for Talent Development (ATD)
National Speakers Association (NSA)
Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA)
International Society for Performance Improvement (ISPI)
Sales & Marketing Executives International (SMEI)
National Association for Professional Sales Education (NAPSE)
International Institute for Facilitation (INIFAC)
American Society of Training Directors (ASTD)

We also have CPR Instructor, Personal Trainer/Fitness Instruction, and Instructor Trainer jobs reports.

Common Important Terms

Sales Methodology. A set of procedures, techniques, and terms used to guide sales activities and help sales teams achieve their desired goals.
Sales Process. The process of selling a product or service, from identifying potential customers to closing the sale.
Prospecting. The process of researching and identifying potential customers for a product or service.
Lead Generation. The process of creating and nurturing relationships with prospects to turn them into customers.
Cold Calling. Making unsolicited sales calls to potential customers.
Objection Handling. Responding to customer questions or objections in order to move forward with the sale.
Closing Techniques. Techniques used to turn a prospect into a customer by creating urgency, offering incentives, and asking for the sale.
Follow-up Strategies. Strategies for staying in contact with customers after the sale and maintaining relationships over time.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: What qualifications are necessary to become a Sales Training Instructor? A1: Generally, a Sales Training Instructor should have a Bachelors degree in Education, Business, Communication, or a related field. Additionally, a minimum of 5 years of experience in sales training and/or instructional design is typically required. Q2: What knowledge and skills should a Sales Training Instructor possess? A2: A Sales Training Instructor should have a comprehensive understanding of sales techniques, strategies, and best practices. Additionally, they should be able to effectively communicate information to participants and have excellent problem-solving and organizational skills. Q3: What methods do Sales Training Instructors use to deliver courses? A3: Common methods used by Sales Training Instructors include lectures, demonstrations, role-play activities, simulations, and group discussions. Q4: How long are Sales Training Courses typically? A4: The length of Sales Training Courses can vary widely depending on the specific topics being covered and the level of experience of the participants. Generally, courses range from 2-4 days in duration. Q5: What is the average salary for a Sales Training Instructor? A5: According to PayScale, the average salary for a Sales Training Instructor is $55,533 per year.