An Account Executive (AE) owns the sales cycle: you find buyers, learn what they need, recommend the right product, quote it, close the deal, and then keep the customer happy so they reorder. In wholesale and manufacturing, that means knowing your products deeply, doing quick price and margin math, and writing clear follow-ups. You do not need a degree. About half of people in this field have a high school diploma, and a third have a bachelor's. Employers hire for communication, curiosity, and proof that you can run a process. This roadmap builds in order: first how selling works and how to ta
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Stage 1 of 4 · about 8 weeks
Understand the sales process (prospect, discover, present, quote, close, follow up). Learn to ask good questions and listen. Practice clear email writing, basic sales math (margin, markup, discounts, percentages), and a 30-second intro. Role-play a discovery call weekly.
The sales process and how a deal moves
Every task in this job, from answering price questions to following up after delivery, sits somewhere on one path. If you can see the whole path, you always know what to do next and why a deal is stuck.
Asking good questions and active listening
Active listening is one of the top skills for this role. Buyers tell you exactly how to sell to them if you ask well and stay quiet long enough to hear it.
Clear business writing and email
Writing is a core skill here. Much of your work, such as answering questions, sending quotes, and following up, happens by email, and a short clear message gets answered while a long one gets ignored.
Basic sales math: margin, markup, discounts, percentages
You will quote prices, offer discounts, and estimate order totals every day. Mistakes cost your company money, and confident math builds trust with buyers.
Your 30-second intro and spoken confidence
Speaking is the top skill for this role. You will introduce yourself on calls, at trade shows, and in networking, and a clear opening gets you permission to keep talking.
Then 3 more stages (about 84 weeks in all) with lessons, drills, projects, 10 interview questions with strong answers and free resources.