Foreign representatives work in an international environment and often work for companies that offer their products or services on global markets. They act as an interface between the domestic company and foreign markets. Their main task is to sell their company's products and services abroad, acquire new customers and business partners and maintain and expand relationships with existing partners.
In their role, foreign representatives must have excellent knowledge of the products or services they represent and of the respective market environment in which they operate. They also need intercultural skills to be able to adapt to different business practices and cultural differences. Language skills are also very important, as communication usually takes place in several languages. Travel is an essential part of their work, as personal contact with customers and partners on site is essential.
Working as a foreign representative requires a high degree of independence, organizational talent and negotiating skills. As commercial success depends heavily on the work of foreign representatives, determination and a focus on results are important qualities. A willingness to work unusual hours and the ability to adapt quickly to changing requirements and conditions are also required. Overall, the profession offers a dynamic working environment with diverse challenges and opportunities in the international business world.
Der Beruf des Auslandsvertreters bzw. der Auslandsvertreterin beinhaltet die Vertretung eines Unternehmens oder einer Organisation im Ausland. Diese Rolle erfordert üblicherweise ein hohes Maß an Selbstständigkeit und Eigeninitiative, da Auslandsvertreter oft fernab der Zentrale ihres Unternehmens agieren.
Um als Auslandsvertreter tätig zu sein, sind in der Regel folgende Anforderungen zu erfüllen:
Zusätzlich zu diesen allgemeinen Anforderungen können je nach Branche und Unternehmen spezifische Qualifikationen und Erfahrungen erforderlich sein. Ein Hochschulabschluss in einem relevanten Fachgebiet kann vorteilhaft sein, ebenso wie praktische Erfahrungen im internationalen Geschäftsumfeld.
An international representative often starts the day by checking the latest emails and news to keep up to date with developments in the company and with customers. This is particularly important in order to be able to respond to inquiries promptly due to the different time zones. Subsequently, telephone or video conferences are often held with the head office or international customers to discuss projects, negotiate contract details or monitor the progress of deliveries and services.
During the day, visits to existing or potential customers may be scheduled. There, the foreign representative presents products or services, conducts negotiations and establishes or expands business relationships. Networking events, trade fairs and conferences are also part of everyday working life in order to make contacts and explore business opportunities. In between, offers are prepared, contracts drawn up and market analyses carried out.
At the end of the day, the foreign representative devotes him/herself to documenting the day's activities, updating customer information in the database and preparing reports for the company management. They reflect on which goals have been achieved and which tasks are planned for the next day or the coming week. Finally, contact is often maintained with colleagues at head office to ensure that all departments involved are on the same page and to coordinate support if required.
Foreign sales representatives are often employed by international companies and are responsible for selling and representing the company's products or services in a specific foreign market. The earning potential in this profession varies greatly and depends on various factors, such as the industry, the size of the company, the region in which you work and your personal experience and language skills.
The salary of an international sales representative is often made up of a basic salary and performance-related components. Performance-based commission or bonus payments are quite common in this profession, which means that the actual income can depend heavily on the sales success achieved. A higher income is often directly linked to performance and success in the position.
Tipping allowances are uncommon in this career field, as the job is not directly related to service or catering. Instead, in addition to commission or bonuses, additional incentives such as bonuses, company cars or other benefits in kind may be part of the remuneration. The earning potential is often higher in international comparison than in purely national positions, which makes the profession attractive to many people.
Foreign sales representatives work for companies that want to market their products or services internationally. To be able to work as a foreign representative, you usually need a commercial qualification. This can be, for example, training as a wholesale and foreign trade clerk or industrial clerk. It is important to have sound knowledge of export and international trade, which is often already part of the training content.
After training, it is advisable to gain professional experience in sales or foreign trade. Additional qualifications such as special language courses, intercultural training or further training in export management can improve your chances of becoming a foreign representative. Some foreign representatives also have a degree in international relations, business administration with a focus on international business or similar courses of study.
In addition, it is essential for foreign representatives to have business fluency in at least one foreign language - preferably English. As foreign representatives often communicate directly with international customers and business partners, intercultural skills and the ability to adapt to different mentalities are essential. Regular further training and updating specialist knowledge are of great importance in the dynamic environment of international trade.
Expat representatives find employment opportunities in a variety of industries and types of companies. Industries that regularly employ foreign representatives include mechanical and plant engineering, the automotive industry, the chemical and pharmaceutical industry, the consumer goods industry and the electrical engineering and electronics industry.
In addition, foreign representatives also work in the IT industry, in the renewable energy sector, in the food industry and in the textile industry. Companies that operate on an international level, such as multinational corporations, export companies and trading companies, also offer employment opportunities for this profession. Medium-sized companies that want to offer their products and services on foreign markets also employ foreign representatives.
At ZNAPP you will find employers who are actively looking for foreign representatives.