How To Become an Account Executive

Steps to Become a Account Executive

1. Get your education in communications or business administration.

   The first step in starting your career as an account executive is obtaining your general education, such as a high school diploma or equivalent. This education is necessary to continue your education, such as a bachelor's degree, which many employers require. Some of the common majors for a bachelor's degree include communications, marketing, and business administration. You may wish to pursue a master's degree to open up more job opportunities with the possibility of higher pay.

2. Gain sales experience by being a sales representative.

   • Sales representative
   • Market research analyst
   • Customer support representative

3. Sharpen your communication and presentation skills.

   • Communication Skills. You must be able to communicate efficiently over the phone, via email, and in person. Practice asking for feedback, conveying your points clearly, and your listening skills.
   • Interpersonal Skill. Building relationships with clients and meeting their needs will be a part of your job as an account executive.
   • Sales Skills. You'll be able to sharpen your sales skills as you work, but it's important to master your technique so you can sell services and products to clients.
   • Presentation Skills. Strong public speaking skills will be useful.
   • Data Organization Skills. Word-processing software skills will track goals and other information and tasks, such as writing documents and contracts.
   • Customer Relationship Management Software. CRM software can help you track upcoming tasks, points of contact, and other stages throughout the sales journey.

4. Gain management experience.

   As an account executive, you'll typically spend some of your time overseeing various teams of sales representatives. Management experience will help you further enhance your skills and qualifications. You can try asking your current supervisor or manager for more work responsibility, registering for seminars, and signing up for any additional leadership training that may be offered at your current job.

5. Earn a certification in sales.

   To help you stand apart from the crowd and improve your skills, you can opt to get certifications as an account executive. One such certification is the Certified Professional Sales Leader credentialing from the National Association of Sales Professionals. Earning this certification requires you to complete a training session, as well as an exam.

6. Get a job as an account executive.

   • Following up with potential customers via phone, email, or in-person meetings.
   • Nurturing relationships with clients will help create the connections needed to meet your staple goals, meet your customers' expectations, and more.
   • Developing solutions for any problems will help you offer solutions to client issues.
   • Creating action plans and effective sales strategies.
   • Managing your sales team.