Education

• Most companies favor applicants who have a bachelor's degree. Others require only a high school diploma and a strong work ethic. Aspiring commercial sales representatives typically concentrate on courses in marketing, business, communications and math.
  
  

Certification

• Regardless of the product or service being sold, commercial sales representatives can receive training in the form of certification, usually offered by vendors or professional organizations. Certification programs can last from several days to a few weeks, and usually consist of study guides and testing.
  
  

On the Job

• Commercial sales representatives normally receive their best training under a manager or experienced co-worker while on the job. In this situation, sales reps learn the specifics of their industry and products, as well as sales goals and commissions.