Employment Services sales representatives held over 694,000 wage and salary jobs in 1996. Other sales representatives worked for firms offering a wide range of other services, as the following tabulation shows. Some employers require services sales representatives to have a college degree, but requirements vary depending on the industry a company represents. Employers who market advertising services seek individuals with a college degree in advertising, marketing or business administration. Companies marketing educational services prefer individuals with a degree in education, marketing or a related field.
Many hotels seek graduates from college hotel or tourism administration programs.
Companies selling computer, communications, engineering and other highly technical services generally require a bachelor's degree appropriate to their field. Certification and licensing is also becoming more common for technical sales representatives. Employers may hire sales representatives with only a high school diploma if they have a proven sales record. This is particularly true for those who sell nontechnical services, such as linen supply, pest control, cleaning services, or funeral services. Applicants enhance their chances of being hired into these positions if they have taken some college courses.