Advertising Sales Agents: Career & Application Guide

What do advertising sales agents do?

Sell or solicit advertising space, time, or media in publications, signage, TV, radio, or Internet establishments or public spaces.

This describes a U.S. occupation, not a live vacancy. Individual employers may use different titles and requirements.

O*NET reports these titles for this occupation. Compare the responsibilities in each posting before treating titles as equivalent.

Explain to customers how specific types of advertising will help promote their products or services in the most effective way possible.
Prepare and deliver sales presentations to new and existing customers to sell new advertising programs and to protect and increase existing advertising.
Obtain and study information about clients' products, needs, problems, advertising history, and business practices to offer effective sales presentations and appropriate product assistance.
Provide clients with estimates of the costs of advertising products or services.
Maintain assigned account bases while developing new accounts.
Recommend appropriate sizes and formats for advertising, depending on medium used.
Locate and contact potential clients to offer advertising services.
Draw up contracts for advertising work, and collect payments due.
Deliver advertising or illustration proofs to customers for approval.
Process all correspondence and paperwork related to accounts.

Check the employer’s requirements, location, schedule and any licenses against your situation.
Choose two or three tasks above that match the posting and your actual experience.
Build a resume evidence worksheet using the skills and software relevant to that employer.
Practice explaining your contribution, decisions and results before an interview.

Start with advertising sales agents as your target. You can change your role in the quiz and tell us your location and work preferences.