Working Life

While English is the global business language, many multinational companies need sales staff who can communicate with their clients in their own language. In relation to sales jobs in Ireland, the most in-demand Languages include German, Dutch, French, Russian and Nordic languages.

Essentially, sales representatives are concerned with promoting their employer's business, obtaining orders for company products or services within their allotted areas and, maintaining liaison with customers to ensure satisfaction. They also give information about new prices, offers and products.

Many of the multinational employers in Ireland are in the ICT or Tech sector, but sales staff with additional language skills can work within a broader range of sectors, such as insurance and finance as well as a host of service organisations such as transport companies and international hotel groups.

They may be required to travel abroad and they may have to make daily or weekly reports of their activities to the Sales Manager.

This occupation is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests:

 Enterprising

Enterprising people like situations that involve using resources for personal or corporate economic gain. Such people may have an opportunistic frame of mind, and are drawn to commerce, trade and making deals. Some pursue sales and marketing occupations. Many will eventually end up owning their own business, or in management roles in larger organisations. They tend to be very goal-oriented and work best when focused on a target. Some have an entrepreneurial inclination.

 Social

The Social person's interests focus on interacting with the people in their environment. In all cases, the Social person enjoys the personal contact with other people in preference to the impersonal dealings with things, data and ideas found in other groups.

Many will seek out positions where there is direct contact with the public in some advisory role, whether a receptionist or a counsellor. Social people are motivated by an interest in different types of people and like diversity in their work environments. Many are drawn towards careers in the caring professions and social welfare area, whilst others prefer teaching and other 'informing' roles.

 Linguistic

The Linguistic's interests are usually focused on ideas and information exchange. They tend to like reading a lot, and enjoy discussion about what has been said. Some will want to write about their own ideas and may follow a path towards journalism, story writing or editing. Others will develop skills in other languages, perhaps finding work as a translator or interpreter. Most Linguistic types will enjoy the opportunity to teach or instruct people in a topic they are interested in.

For Sales Representatives (languages), employers often prioritise the proficiency of the desired language. Specific qualifications can be useful, but the recruitment process will typically include some form of language skills test, either verbal, written, or both.

Relevant course subjects include International business studies and linguistics. Work experience in sales, retail and customer service roles will also be highly relevant.

There are often excellent opportunities for progression within sales. Sales executive is often seen as a ‘step up’ from sales representative, and some businesses employ account managers for key clients.

You can look for supervision and management roles when you have built up some experience as a sales rep. You will also develop transferrable skills which open up a wider range of career opportunities in retail, business and marketing for example.

Both experience and qualifications can help you progress and there are courses in languages, business and marketing, for example, at all levels in the education system, from further education courses to undergraduate and postgraduate degrees.

Sample Education and Training Pathways
A number of courses are available throughout the country that focus on learning and skills that may be useful for this career. The examples and links below may guide you in your research. 

Further Education (FET)
Further Education & Training (FET) Courses are delivered by local ETBs, ranging in duration from several weeks up to 20 months. Courses are designed to meet the labour market needs and often include a large element of work experience.

Example search terms include: sales, marketing, digital marketing.

Search for FET Courses

PLC Courses (FET)
PLC courses are full-time courses, one or two years duration, with awards at Level 5 and 6 on the NFQ. They are offered nationally in Schools and Colleges of Further Education.

Example search terms include: sales, marketing, digital marketing.

Search for PLC Courses

Apprenticeships: 
Apprenticeships are structured work-based training programs that combine on-the-job training with classroom instruction. They run from 2 – 4 years and are open to individuals of all ages, including school leavers, those seeking a career change, and existing employees who wish to upskill.

Examples: Sales, Auctioneering, Property Services.

Search for Apprenticeships

Higher Education CAO (Undergraduate) 
Higher Education courses at Levels 6 to 8 on the NFQ, delivered in Universities and Technological Universities & Institutes. Courses run from 2 – 5 years and places are allocated on a points-based system, processed by the Central Application Office.

Example search terms include: business, sales, marketing, languages.

Search for CAO Courses

Salary Range (thousands per year)* €30k - €80k

Salaries vary based on employer, location, experience, duties, on target earnings, and role.

Data Source(s):
Brightwater / CPL / Morgan McKInley/ Sigmar/ Azon/ Excel/ Clark/ Osborne

Last Updated: July, 2024

Note: The following information relates to occupations that include: Sales accounts and business development managers.

This information has been derived from the Solas National Skills Bulletin (2023).

Employment levels remained unchanged between 2021 and 2022 for this occupation. Employment was spread across many sectors with none large enough to report. Like business sales executives, the ICT sector appears to be the main beneficiary of employment permits issued in 2022 for this occupation. The difficult-to-fill mentions in the Recruitment Agency Survey related to sales/marketing managers and lead category managers.

Employers (Skills for Growth and Spotlight on Skills) identified sales account managers, key account managers and business development managers as being difficult to fill; key skills in demand included project management, relationship management and presentation skills. Nonetheless, the number of job adverts has fallen. Although employment levels remained stable, digitalisation and new business processes are likely to impact on the skills mix required for these roles.

• Marketing Institute of Ireland (MII)

  • Marketing House, South County Business Park, Leopardstown, Dublin 18
  • (01) 295 2355
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here

• The Executive Institute

  • 30 Upper Fitzwilliam Street, Dublin 2,
  • (01) 662 6904
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here