Learning how to find remote sales jobs is confusing, because sales pay works differently from most jobs and many listings hide the real numbers. You need to know which roles exist, how base pay and commission fit together, and how to prove you can sell before you apply. This guide explains each step, with honest timelines and no income promises.
In this guide
- What remote sales jobs look like
- Step 1: Pick your sales role and industry
- Step 2: Build the skills and proof employers want
- Step 3: Prepare a numbers-led CV and LinkedIn profile
- Step 4: Search the right job boards
- Step 5: Apply and track your applications
- Step 6: Prepare for remote sales interviews
- How remote sales pay works
- What it costs and how long it takes
- Common mistakes
- Risks and scams to watch for
- Frequently asked questions
What remote sales jobs look like
Remote sales work means selling by phone, video call, email, and chat, instead of face to face. You will talk to customers, answer questions, follow up on leads, and keep records in a CRM system. A CRM, short for customer relationship management, is the software where a sales team stores customer details and tracks each deal.
| Role | What it involves | Who it suits |
|---|---|---|
| Sales development representative (SDR) | Finding and qualifying new leads for the sales team | Beginners who are confident on the phone |
| Business development representative (BDR) | Much the same as an SDR, often in larger firms | Beginners who want a first sales role |
| Inside sales representative | Selling by phone and video to customers who contact the firm | People who like talking and closing deals |
| Account executive | Running the full sale, from first call to signed deal | People with some sales experience |
| Account manager | Looking after existing customers and growing their orders | People who build long term relationships |
| Customer success manager | Helping customers use a product well so they renew | People who like solving problems and teaching |
| Remote closer | Closing high value sales on video calls | Experienced sellers with a strong record |
An SDR or BDR role is the best entry point for most beginners, because employers hire for attitude and train the rest. Note that outside sales is not a remote role, because it involves travel to meet customers in person, so do not confuse the two. B2B sales means selling to businesses, while B2C sales means selling to individual customers, and the skills and the pay differ between them.
Step 1: Pick your sales role and industry
Start with one role and one industry, not five of each. Employers hire people who understand their customers, and a focused application shows that you do.
First, choose between B2B and B2C. B2B sales usually has longer cycles, larger deals, and more research, while B2C sales is faster, with more calls and quicker decisions. If you like building relationships over weeks, B2B may fit. If you like fast conversations and quick results, B2C may fit.
Next, pick an industry you can learn about. Software, education, health care, and financial services all hire remote sellers, and each one has its own language and rules. Read ten job adverts in your chosen industry and write down the products, the customers, and the skills that appear again and again. This gives you a real list to learn from.
Then, be honest about your start point. If you have never sold before, aim for an SDR or BDR role, because those are the entry points employers actually hire beginners into. If you have retail or customer service experience, say so, because it shows you can talk to customers and handle pressure. Our guide to how to get a remote customer service job explains how that experience transfers to sales.
Step 2: Build the skills and proof employers want
Sales employers hire for proof, not for certificates. They want to see that you can talk to people, follow a process, and keep going after a "no". You can build that proof before you have a sales job.
Practise the core skills in daily life. Learn to ask open questions, listen for the real problem, and explain a product in plain words. Record yourself on a practice sales call and listen back for filler words, long pauses, and unclear answers. This simple exercise improves most beginners more than any course.
Learn one CRM system. Salesforce and HubSpot are the two most common, and both offer free learning resources online. If you want a deeper start, read how to learn Salesforce online. You do not need to be an expert, but you should know how to log a call, update a deal stage, and follow a pipeline, which is the list of deals a seller is working on.
Build proof that you can sell. If you have sold anything before, even in a shop or at a market, write down what you sold, how many customers you served, and what changed because of you. If you have no sales history, run a small project, such as selling a product for a local business online, and record the results honestly. A short sales project with real numbers beats a long list of courses with no proof.
Step 3: Prepare a numbers-led CV and LinkedIn profile
A sales CV must lead with numbers. Employers in the research for this guide said the same thing in different words: show your results first, and keep the rest short.
Under each job, list what you achieved with numbers where you can. For example, "Booked 25 meetings a week for the sales team" or "Handled 40 customer calls a day with a 90 percent satisfaction score" tells an employer far more than "Good communicator". If you have no sales numbers yet, use numbers from other work, such as customers served, targets met, or problems solved.
Keep the CV to two pages. Start with a short summary that names your target role and your strongest proof, then list your experience with numbers, then your skills. Add a line about remote readiness, such as your home setup, your time zone, and the tools you use. Our guide on how to write a CV for remote jobs walks through the full format.
On LinkedIn, use a clear headline such as "SDR | Remote | B2B Software Sales". Write a short summary that says what you sell, who you help, and what you are looking for. Record a short video introduction if the board or the employer asks for one, and keep it under one minute. See how to get hired for remote jobs on LinkedIn for the full steps.
Step 4: Search the right job boards
Remote sales roles are spread across general boards, remote-only boards, and company careers pages, so check a small set each day and set up alerts.
| Board | Best for | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| We Work Remotely | Remote-only roles across fields | The sales categories for remote listings |
| FlexJobs | Screened remote listings | The screening note, which saves time on scams |
| Remote.co | Remote roles with company profiles | The company page and the hiring note |
| Wellfound | Startup sales roles | The company stage and the pay range |
| Company roles and recruiter posts | The remote filter and the company page | |
| Working Nomads | A wide list of remote roles | The posting date, as old posts may be filled |
| Dynamite Jobs | Remote roles in small firms | The role detail and the time zone note |
We Work Remotely is a remote-only job board that lists live remote postings, and its sales categories are the relevant sections for sales roles. FlexJobs is a paid board that screens listings by hand and says it removes scams and junk posts. Also check the careers pages of software and service companies directly, because many post there first and never use a board. If a company sells a product you like, check its careers page even if it has no open role listed, and follow it for future posts.
Step 5: Apply and track your applications
Apply with a short, tailored note for each role. Lead with your strongest number, name the product or the customer type, and say why you want this company. A note that starts with a real result gets read, while a generic message gets ignored.
Track every application in a simple sheet. Record the company, the role, the date you applied, the link, and the next step. This stops you applying twice to the same role and helps you follow up at the right time. Follow up once, about a week after you apply, with a short polite message that adds one useful detail, such as a link to your video introduction. If there is no reply after that, move on.
Example only: a realistic application funnel
Example only: these numbers are not typical results, and they are a planning example, not a promise. Suppose you send 50 tailored applications for SDR roles. If 20 percent get a reply, that is 50 times 0.20, which equals 10 replies. If half of those replies lead to an interview, that is 10 times 0.50, which equals 5 interviews. If one in five interviews leads to an offer, that is 5 times 0.20, which equals 1 offer. Check the maths again: 50 times 0.20 is 10, 10 times 0.50 is 5, and 5 times 0.20 is 1. The point is simple. A steady flow of tailored applications, not one perfect application, is what leads to an offer. If your reply rate is much lower than this, your CV or your targeting needs work, not more volume.
Step 6: Prepare for remote sales interviews
Remote sales interviews test how you sell, not only what you know. Expect a screening call, a role play, and a final interview with the hiring manager. Prepare for all three.
For the role play, you will be asked to sell a simple product to the interviewer, or to handle a customer who says no. Practise with a friend first. Ask questions before you pitch, listen to the answers, and explain the benefit in plain words. Do not rush to close, and do not argue with a "no". Show that you can stay calm and curious under pressure.
For the final interview, prepare stories that show your results. Talk about a time you hit a target, won back an unhappy customer, or kept going after a hard week. Use real numbers where you can, and be honest about what you learned. Also prepare questions of your own, such as how the team sets targets, how long the ramp period is, and how new sellers are trained. A ramp period is the time a new seller gets to learn the product and build a pipeline before full targets apply, and it is often about three months for SDR roles. See how to pass a remote job interview for the wider steps.
How remote sales pay works
Sales pay has three parts, and you must understand all three before you accept an offer. Base salary is the fixed pay you get each month, whether you sell or not. Commission is the extra pay you earn when you close a deal, usually a percentage of the sale. Quota is the target you must hit, such as a number of meetings booked or a value of sales each month.
A common structure is a base salary plus commission, with an on target earnings figure that shows what you would earn if you hit your quota. On target earnings is a planning figure, not a promise, because it depends on hitting the target every month. Some roles are commission only, which means no base salary at all, and those carry the most risk, especially for beginners. Ask for the full pay plan in writing before you accept, including the commission rate, the quota, the ramp period, and when commission is paid.
Check the offer with a simple checklist before you accept. What is the base salary, and is it paid monthly? What is the commission rate, and when is it paid? What is the quota, and how many sellers on the team hit it last quarter? How long is the ramp period, and what training is given? What are the working hours and the time zone? What tools and leads does the company provide? What is the contract type, employee or contractor, and what does that mean for tax and benefits in your country? If the employer will not answer these questions in writing, that is a warning sign.
Example only: how base pay and commission fit together
Example only: these numbers are not typical results, and they are a planning example, not a promise. Suppose a seller has a base salary of 3,000 USD per month and earns 5 percent commission on sales. In a month where the seller closes 20,000 USD of sales, the commission is 20,000 USD times 0.05, which equals 1,000 USD. The total pay for that month is 3,000 USD plus 1,000 USD, which equals 4,000 USD. Check the maths again: 20,000 times 0.05 is 1,000, and 3,000 plus 1,000 is 4,000. In a month with no sales, the same seller would earn only the 3,000 USD base. That is why the quota and the commission rate matter as much as the base salary, and why you should ask for the full pay plan in writing before you accept.
What it costs and how long it takes
| Item | Typical cost note | Typical time note |
|---|---|---|
| Sales training course | Free resources exist, paid courses vary | A few weeks to learn the basics |
| CRM learning | Free learning resources for Salesforce and HubSpot | A few weeks to learn the basics |
| CV and LinkedIn update | Free if you do it yourself | One focused weekend |
| Video introduction | Free, recorded on a phone | One hour to record and check |
| Job board access | Free on most boards, FlexJobs charges a subscription | Ongoing while you search |
| Home office setup | A quiet space, a headset, and good internet | One day to set up |
A realistic timeline is one to three months from starting to search to a first offer for an SDR role, if you apply steadily and tailor each application. For account executive roles, allow longer, because employers usually want proven sales experience first. If you are starting from zero, allow one to two months to learn the basics, build a small proof project, and prepare your CV before you apply in volume. That preparation time pays off in replies.
Common mistakes
- Applying for every sales role at once instead of picking one role and one industry.
- Writing a CV with no numbers, so the employer cannot tell what you actually achieved.
- Accepting a commission only role as a beginner without understanding the risk.
- Taking the on target earnings figure as a promise, when it depends on hitting quota every month.
- Skipping the offer checklist and accepting a role without knowing the quota, the ramp period, or the commission timing.
- Talking only about yourself in the interview instead of asking about the customer and the product.
- Giving up after ten applications, when a steady flow of tailored applications is what works.
- Ignoring the location and time zone rules in a listing and applying for roles you cannot legally take.
Risks and scams to watch for
Sales job scams are common, because scammers know that job seekers expect to handle money and talk to customers. The warning signs are clear. No real employer will ask you to pay for training, equipment, or a background check before you start. No real employer will ask for your bank details, passwords, or a copy of your ID before an interview. A job that promises very high pay for simple work, uses a free email address, or rushes you to accept in one day is a warning sign.
Check every company before you apply. Look for a real website, real staff on LinkedIn, and real reviews from sellers. Search the company name plus the word "scam" and read what comes up. If a recruiter contacts you first, check their profile and ask which company they represent. Be careful with high ticket sales roles, because some training firms promote their own courses and placement pipelines, and their earnings figures are their own claims, not typical results. The US Federal Trade Commission explains how job scams work and how to report them, and our guide on how to spot online job scams lists the warning signs. If a listing feels wrong, read how to tell a legitimate online job from a scam listing before you share any personal detail.
Frequently asked questions
Can you get a remote sales job with no experience?
Yes, and the SDR or BDR role is the best entry point, because employers hire for attitude and train the rest. Retail, customer service, and call centre experience all help, because they show you can talk to customers and handle pressure. Build a small proof project, learn one CRM, and apply steadily with tailored applications.
Do remote sales jobs pay commission?
Most do. A common structure is a base salary plus commission, where commission is a percentage of the sales you close. Some roles are commission only, with no base salary, and those carry the most risk. Ask for the full pay plan in writing before you accept, including the commission rate, the quota, and when commission is paid.
Are remote sales jobs legit?
Many are, but scams exist in this field. A real employer will never ask you to pay a fee before you start, and will never ask for bank details before an interview. Check the company, the recruiter, and the listing, and report anything suspicious to your local consumer protection body. If an offer seems too good to be true, it usually is.
What is the best site for remote sales jobs?
No single site has every role, so check a small set each day. We Work Remotely, FlexJobs, Remote.co, and Wellfound all list remote sales roles, and LinkedIn is useful for company roles and recruiter posts. Also check the careers pages of companies you like, because many post there first. Set up alerts so new roles reach you the same day.
How much do remote sales reps earn?
Pay varies widely by role, industry, experience, and country, so no single figure applies to everyone. An SDR usually earns less than an account executive, and commission can make a large difference to total pay. Check the base salary and the commission rate in each listing, and ask for the full pay plan in writing before you judge an offer.
What does an SDR do?
An SDR, short for sales development representative, finds and qualifies new leads for the sales team. The work is mostly calls, emails, and messages to potential customers, plus booking meetings for account executives. It is the most common entry point into remote sales, and it teaches the core skills of prospecting, listening, and following up.
Conclusion
Finding remote sales jobs takes a clear plan: pick one role and one industry, build numbers-led proof, search the right boards, and check every offer against the pay plan before you accept. The SDR role is the best first step for most beginners, and a steady flow of tailored applications is what leads to an offer.
Next, read how to get a remote customer service job, how to learn Salesforce online, and how to negotiate salary for a remote job. Then browse all online jobs guides to plan your next step.
Reader note: pay figures in the worked examples are labelled as examples only and are not typical results. Commission rates and earnings claims from training firms were not repeated here, because they are the firms' own claims. Tax, contract, and employment rules differ by country, so check your local rules and a qualified accountant. Earning results vary; nothing on this site is financial advice.
