Getting a Remote Sales Job: Your 2025 Guide

For sales professionals interested in working from home, recent trends are encouraging. Remote work, including remote sales jobs, is more available than ever. Following the stay-at-home social distancing health mandates associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, many companies offer flexible schedules that include remote positions. These have remained as they have proved popular.

The rise in remote opportunities extends to work-from-home sales jobs due to the increase in software-as-a-service (SaaS) products and other new products and solutions. When companies target national and international clients, it doesn’t matter where the sales team has its base.

Explore remote roles focusing on sales and discover some examples, including salary and the credentials you need to apply for a remote sales job.

Is it possible to work in sales remotely?

Yes! Sales primarily involves 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, which you’ll need to be, particularly when you work for a commission. Your boss 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. Today’s technology makes this easy, even when teammates are from locations across the globe. Some of the most powerful productivity tools are online apps, such as:

• Zoom for video conferencing

• Slack for instant messaging

• Toggl for time tracking

• Calendly for scheduling

• LinkedIn Sales Navigator for lead generation

• Salesforce for customer relationship management software

The rise of remote working

In 2019, before the COVID-19 pandemic, an estimated 4.7 per cent of UK employees worked from home [1]. That number rose during the pandemic, although some (not all) companies returned to in-office work or hybrid schedules. In 2024, 14 per cent of workers in the UK worked remotely [2].

A search for "remote sales" UK jobs as of July 2024 results in the following number of job listings:

• Indeed: More than 600 [3]

• Reed.co.uk: More than 1,500 [4]

• Glassdoor: More than 1,100 [5] 

The industries that have led the way in this trend include:

• Finance

• Insurance

• Management

• Information technology

• Education

Sales roles that can be done remotely

Technological improvements and the attitude toward remote work have increased the number of work-from-home home sales jobs. Some specific positions that you can do remotely include: 

Sales manager

A sales manager plans, directs, and coordinates the distribution of products or services to the customer and establishes sales territories, goals, and training programs for sales representatives. These professionals analyse sales statistics to determine potential and inventory requirements for the company.

Average annual base salary (UK): £56,330 [6]

Telephone sales representative

A telephone sales representative, also called a telemarketer, uses a sales script to call potential customers to offer products and services. These professionals have an in-depth understanding of their company’s work and are responsible for answering questions about pricing and shipping. Whilst those working in these roles once reported to a call centre, it’s now common to work remotely.

Average annual base salary (UK): £24,254 [7]

Advertising sales agents

Publishers make money through advertising sales, whether the distribution is local, national, international, or online. An advertising sales agent must find new clients and maintain strong relationships with businesses looking to connect with their customer base. Remote work is a natural fit since video conferencing software allows you to lead the necessary presentations.

Average annual base salary (UK): £29,502 [8]

Affiliate marketing manager

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. The role of affiliate marketing managers is to identify and recruit appropriate partners, track their effectiveness, and resolve any concerns that may arise during the process. 

Average annual base salary (UK): £39,247 [9]

Credentials for landing a remote sales position

The same skills, experience, and qualifications 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 get the job. 

Skills

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

• Excellent organisation and time management 

• Ability to foster strong relationships with clients

• Good communication skills, both verbal and written

• Fast learner, so you can answer questions potential customers may pose

• Persistence to follow up whenever necessary

• Self-motivation 

• Proficient in technology, especially with apps like Zoom, Slack, and any customer relationship management software used by the company

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 sales administrator. If you have experience in sales, you can seek remote jobs, such as a sales engineer or sales manager. 

You can also demonstrate your abilities by completing online training programs and listing them on your CV SalesForce offers a Sales Development Representative Professional Certificate on Coursera for those interested in exploring tech sales. 

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

Equipment

It's essential to create a dedicated workspace at home or wherever you choose to work remotely. Equipment to consider for your workspace should include the following:

• Computer 

• Natural light source

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

• Headphones to block out noise and distractions whilst making calls

• Excellent internet connection

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

You’ll also need a mastery of the apps your company uses. Employers also expect competence with video conferencing software like Zoom, Skype, Google Meet, or Teams. 

Qualifications 

Along with the right skills, experience, and equipment, you’ll also need to know the 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. Learn customer relationship management tools to keep track of the different clients and their needs.

You’ll also want to practise using video presentation software. Create an agency for a mock presentation, focus on sharing value, and leave time for your potential customer to ask questions. To show you’re qualified for the remote sales position, you should be helpful and know how to close a deal.

How to find a remote sales job

Many tasks for remote sales positions happen 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 right for you.  

Search remote working websites

Start by searching reputable online job search websites for “remote sales.” For example, FlexJobs, a website specialising in remote work opportunities, lists national and international companies offering remote work in sales. 

Other online job boards worth browsing include:

• Glassdoor

• Indeed

• NoDesk

• Reed.co.uk

• Google For Jobs

• SimplyHired

• Weworkremotely.com

Ask your current employer

If you already work in a sales position 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

Relationships can get new customers in sales and help you get 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 CV and LinkedIn profile 

Consider updating your LinkedIn profile and CV to include the skill requirements for remote sales jobs. LinkedIn is a powerful tool for researching potential customers, making connections, and creating recommendations. It 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 only remote work.

Benefits of working remotely 

From broadening your opportunities to reducing your daily commute, flexible work arrangements offer various advantages. The following lists a few 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 a part-time or full-time job. 

Allows you to work from home.

If you have to balance personal responsibilities such as raising children or caring for elderly parents, working from home can provide a level of flexibility that can alleviate stress. According to Buffer, a fully remote technology and information company with employees across 20 countries, 61 per cent of workers have a very positive view of homeworking [10]. That positivity may stem from enjoying the comforts of home whilst earning a living. 

No commute.

Depending on where you live, you could be saving days by not driving to and from the office. Employees who telecommute can save an average of 4.6 hours a week by not travelling to work, according to Upwork [11].

Work-life balance

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

Get started in remote sales

Remote working has grown in popularity over the past few years, and as a result, the market offers more opportunities for those with the drive, skills, and desire. Even if you’re an experienced sales professional, you’ll still benefit from additional training to let employers know 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.