Getting a Remote Sales Job: Your 2024 Guide

For sales professionals interested in working from home, recent trends are encouraging. Remote work, including remote sales jobs, is more available than ever.

Work-from-home sales jobs are also getting a boost in numbers due to the increase in tech jobs, many of which offer remote or hybrid work models. When companies target global clients, it doesn’t matter where the sales team is based.

Learn how to make a start in remote sales, including the credentials and equipment you’ll need, and some sales job roles you can pursue.

Is it possible to work in sales remotely?

Yes! Sales is primarily a business of making and strengthening client relationships, which can’t always happen in an office. Those who work in outside sales visit clients for face-to-face networking. For inside sales jobs, professionals send emails and make phone calls. You can do this work from almost anywhere. 

Salespeople are typically self-motivated individuals, primarily when working for commission. Your boss likely won’t have to worry about whether you’re doing everything possible to land a deal.

Some companies have sales teams that must collaborate to achieve goals, and for remote positions, it’s no longer necessary to schedule meetings in an office conference room. Current technology makes this easy, even when your teammates are located across the globe. 

Some of the most powerful productivity tools are apps you can use from anywhere, such as:

• Share Karo: Share files

• Kaagaz Scanner: Scan notes and documents with your phone

• Tasks: Stay organised with lists and calendars

• Trello: Project and task management 

• Asana: Collaborative workspace

The rise of remote work and opportunities available

Companies all over India have embraced remote work opportunities in the wake of the pandemic. In addition to providing a strong work-life balance that keeps employees happy, employers are able to recruit people without geographic boundaries and bolster the diversity and skills of their workforce. 

Remote sales roles

Technological improvements and the attitude towards remote work have increased the number of work-from-home home sales jobs. Take a look at some specific sales jobs that you can do remotely. 

*All salary data sourced from Glassdoor as of November 2024.

Sales manager

Average annual salary (India): ₹9,00,000 [1]

A sales manager is responsible for planning, directing, and coordinating the distribution of products or services to the customer as well as establishing sales territories, goals, and training programmes for sales representatives. In this role, you will analyse sales statistics to determine requirements for the company.

Telemarketer

Average annual salary (India): ₹179,568 [2]

A telemarketer uses a sales script to call potential customers and offer products and services. You’ll need an in-depth understanding of your company’s work and will be responsible for answering questions about pricing and shipping. Whilst these positions were once based in a call centre, they’re now commonly remote.

Advertising sales manager

Average annual salary (India): ₹10,00,000 [3]

Whether the distribution is local, national, international, or even just online, publishers make money through advertising sales. As an advertising sales manager, you find new clients and maintain strong relationships with businesses looking to connect with their customer base. You'll typically work with a sales team to manage advertising campaigns from the idea phase to selling advert space and time to customers.

Affiliate marketer

Average annual salary: ₹300,000 [4]

Online retail companies often collaborate with affiliates—or influential people on social media—who share content with a large audience to advertise their products and services. In the role of an affiliate marketing manager, you will identify and recruit appropriate partners, track their effectiveness, and resolve any concerns that may arise during the process. 

Credentials for landing a remote sales position

The same skills, experience, and qualifications you need for an in-office sales position are necessary for remote sales work. However, equipment and additional skills can help you stand out from the competition and succeed once you’re hired. 

Skills

You’ll need workplace and technical skills for these positions. Some skills that employers seek in a remote sales professional are:

• Communication

• Resilience

• Product knowledge

• Time management

• Negotiation

• Digital proficiency 

• Cultural awareness

Experience

Like in-person sales positions, the level of experience you need for remote sales jobs will depend on the job. You can pursue entry-level positions requiring no experience, such as advertising sales, customer service, or travel agent. If you have experience in sales, you can seek remote jobs such as sales engineer, securities sales agent, or sales manager. 

You can also demonstrate your abilities by completing online training programmes and listing them on your resume. On Coursera, professionals interested in effective sales techniques could work towards the Salesforce Sales Development Representative Professional Certificate, for example. 

HubSpot Academy offers the Sales Training: Inbound Business Strategy course on Coursera as part of its Sales Training for High Performing Teams Specialisation. Another HubSpot Academy offering, Sales Training: Building Your Sales Career, could also help you grow your skill set and confidence when applying for remote sales jobs.

Equipment

It’s essential to create a dedicated workspace in your home or wherever you will work remotely. This should include the following:

• Computer 

• Natural light source

• Ergonomically correct chair and desk that help with posture and comfort

• Headphones to block out noise and distractions whilst making calls

• Excellent internet connection

• Phone and phone plan that allows for a high number of calls

You’ll also need to master the apps your company uses, along with video conferencing software, collaboration platforms, and communication tools.

Qualifications 

Along with the right skills and experience, some companies may request a degree or certifications in the field. You’ll also need to know best practices used in the industry for generating leads remotely. Demonstrate to potential employers that you’re comfortable with a personalised outreach strategy that includes appropriate follow-up techniques, and learn CRM tools to keep track of the different clients and their needs.

Additionally, you will want to practise using video presentation software. This allows you to reach many potential customers and even collect customer data. To show you’re qualified for the remote sales position, you’ll need to be helpful whilst also knowing how to close a deal.

How to find a remote sales job

Many tasks for remote sales positions are done over the internet, so it’s a good idea to start there when looking for a remote sales job. However, that’s not the only way to find a work-from-home sales job that’s right for you.

Search remote working websites.

Companies that offer remote jobs in India include Amazon, Altran, ADP, and Byju’s, but you can also search platforms that list remote opportunities, like: 

• FlexJobs

• We Work Remotely

• Landing.Jobs

• Remote.co

• Remotive

Ask your current employer.

If you already have a sales position that you enjoy, your boss may be willing to allow you to transition to remote or hybrid work. Many companies are willing to be flexible, especially when you can demonstrate your value through new clients and sales reports. 

Network.

Building relationships can help you get new customers in sales as well as find a new job. Start with your friends and colleagues to effectively use your social and professional network for leads. See how you can help them before asking for help, and be patient with the process. You may need to follow up a few times before a job opportunity presents itself.

Highlight relevant skills on your resume and LinkedIn profile. 

Consider updating your LinkedIn profile and resume with the skills required for remote sales jobs. LinkedIn is a powerful tool for researching potential customers, making connections, and creating recommendations. This can help with sales as well as finding a remote position.

Browse the “jobs” tab on LinkedIn to see advertisements too. You can also filter jobs for remote-only work.

Benefits of working remotely 

Below, find some benefits to consider when looking for a remote sales role.

It widens your search area.

If you live in a location that does not have openings for sales positions that interest you, expanding your search to remote work will allow you to apply to companies located anywhere. You can look for part-time or full-time work.

It allows you to work from home.

If you juggle personal responsibilities such as raising children or caring for elderly parents, working from home can provide a level of flexibility that may alleviate stress.

You’ll have no commute.

Depending on where you live, you could be saving time by not driving to and from the office. According to The Economic Times, Indians spend an average of 59 minutes commuting one way to work a total of nearly two hours per day [5]. This is significant time you can save by working from home. 

You can enjoy greater work-life balance.

The flexible work schedule often associated with remote work may allow you to improve your work-life balance. When working in remote sales, you can enjoy your life whilst also getting the job done.

Get started in remote sales

Even if you’re an experienced sales professional, you’ll still benefit from additional training to let employers know that they can trust you to excel remotely. Enrol in GitLab’s How to Manage a Remote Team on Coursera to learn best practices for working at home and create a foundational strategy for success.