The way in which you become an advertising sales representative will depend on the company you work for, but will likely include some form of education and training. Most companies require you to have at least a high school diploma in order to work as a salesperson, but many times a bachelor's degree is preferred. This is especially true for larger publications or forms of media. Smaller local businesses may have more lenient requirements.
An advertising sales representative is someone who sells ad space to business. This can be space in publications, billboards, or on websites. The exact requirements for getting into this field vary, but it generally requires an upbeat and outgoing personality. Being able to handle rejection is also a necessity, since many businesses will not be interested in buying what you have to offer. You may also be required to make cold calls, visit local companies, and work with marketing personnel in order to do the job.
One way you can become an advertising sales representative is by discussing your career goals with a local publication or another company which hires them. If the company you current work for hires advertising sales reps, then you may be able to work your way up with them from your current position.
You may also be able to become an advertising sales representative by gaining experience selling other goods or services. This can be in nearly any field, including phone sales, insurance, or door to door sales. Many sales companies do not require any specific educational requirements, although you may have specific quotas you will need to meet in order to remain employed. If you do well in earlier positions, you are more likely to be hired for advertisement sales.
There may be a greater chance you will be able to become an advertising sales representative if you have a college degree or training in sales, advertising, business, or marketing. This, combined with previous sales experience, will open up more opportunities for you in the future. To get a better idea of what a specific company expect or requires, speak with a representative of that company.