A salesperson is someone who works in a retail or wholesale setting to sell goods or services to customers. A high school diploma or completion of the general equivalency development examination (GED®), as well as literacy and general arithmetic skills, are required for most sales positions. Some employers in the retail sales industry may require employees to take a salesperson exam to verify basic skills or assess their understanding of the industry. Individuals who sell real estate and insurance products in the United States are required by law to pass a salesperson exam in each state. As a result, the specific steps required to prepare for a salesperson exam are determined by the field of sales, the formality of the examination process, and the test-individual taker’s study needs.
The type of sales in which an employee intends to work has an impact on the amount of preparation required for a salesperson exam. In most industries, such as “big box” retail sales, salespeople are paid an hourly wage plus a small stipend based on how much testing they’ve done. Many of these tests include computerized instruction followed by questions about the company’s overall business policies, emergency procedures, customer service policy, and customer etiquette. Preparing for these types of tests entails scheduling time away from retail duties to take the test and reviewing any written materials provided during the company’s formal orientation, if one is offered. You must pay close attention to the written information and visual displays used during the instruction phase of each unit during the topic-by-topic computerized test instruction and evaluations.
Salespeople in industries like insurance and real estate are eventually paid entirely on the basis of their sales, and state law requires passing a formal salesperson exam. A real estate or insurance salesperson exam necessitates more preparation because it is more formal, more difficult, and requires successful demonstration of field knowledge in order to work independently. Many community colleges and vocational schools offer classes to assist aspiring insurance or real estate salespeople in reviewing material and taking practice exams in preparation for the actual exam. There are also numerous books, DVDs, and websites dedicated to assisting aspiring salespeople in their studies and preparation. Success depends on starting the study process early, regardless of how a salesperson chooses to study for their required exam.