Entry Level Sales Indianapolis: A First Job Guide
company · Oct 23, 2026 · 6 min read · By The Credence Team
Entry level sales in Indianapolis can be a good first job if you like talking with people and can live with pay that depends on results. Credence Innovations is a field-marketing firm in Indianapolis, founded in 2016. Our role is a commission-based sales job in a store, selling for Fortune 500 brands. Below we explain what the work is, how commission works, and what to ask before you say yes to us or anyone else.
What an Entry Level Sales Job Looks Like at a Field-Marketing Firm
At a field-marketing firm, an entry level sales job means you represent a brand inside a store and help shoppers decide whether to buy. The brand wants someone on site who knows the product. We train representatives and send them into retail locations to be that person.
What an in-store sales representative does on a shift
Most of the shift is talking with shoppers. You greet people and ask what they're looking for. You explain the product, answer their questions, and ask for the sale. Then you do it again with the next person. That's the job.
The brands you would sell for
Our representatives sell for Fortune 500 brands. In the store, you are the face of that brand, so the way you talk to people and carry yourself reflects on the brand and on us.
Based in Indianapolis since 2016, working in regions across the country
We've been headquartered in Indianapolis since 2016. Our representatives work in regions across the country. Openings change, so if you're looking at entry level sales jobs for recent graduates in Indianapolis, ask which regions are open when you apply.
How Pay Works in a Commission-Based Sales Role
This is a commission-based sales role. Your pay is tied to the sales you make. We'd rather say that up front, because it's the thing you most need to understand before applying.
What commission means for your week
You earn based on what you sell, so some weeks will be better than others. Some people like that, because their effort shows up in their pay. Other people find the uncertainty stressful. If that's you, it's a fair reason to look elsewhere.
How each sale in the store counts
Every sale you close in the store counts toward what you earn. How you do depends on your conversations with shoppers, how well you know the product, and how you answer questions. You get better at all of that the more you do it.
Pay questions to ask any employer before you accept
Before you accept any commission-based sales job, get the answers to these in writing:
How is commission calculated, and on what?
When and how often am I paid?
Is there any base pay, guarantee, or draw, and how does it work?
Are there any costs I would pay myself, such as travel, equipment, or fees?
What happens to my pay during training?
An employer should answer these directly. We expect candidates to ask us the same things, and we think these questions matter more than anything else in an offer.
Skills Graduates Already Have That Help in a First Sales Job
You probably haven't sold anything before. That's fine. Most graduates already have what a first sales job after college asks for.
Talking with people you have just met
Class presentations, group projects, campus jobs and customer service work all mean starting conversations with strangers. In a store you do that many times a day.
Handling a no and trying again
Salespeople hear no a lot. If you've applied for internships and been turned down, or reworked a paper after harsh feedback, you already know how to take a no and keep going.
Showing up on time and following a plan
Brands count on representatives being in the store when they're scheduled. If you met deadlines in school, you have the habit already.
Common Worries About Sales Jobs and How to Check Them
It's reasonable to have doubts about sales jobs. The best thing to do is check the facts yourself. Here are the worries we hear and how to look into them.
How to spot a scam, MLM, or pyramid scheme in a posting
A lot of job seekers worry that commission-based sales jobs are scams, MLMs or pyramid schemes. We understand why. Some postings do hide what the job is. And part of the worry is true for any commission role, since the pay is uncertain and an employer should tell you that up front. Be wary if a posting asks you to buy inventory or a starter kit, pays you mainly for recruiting other people, or stays vague about who you'd be selling for. Ask every employer about these things, us included.
Reading reviews and complaints
Online reviews of sales employers are usually mixed. Look for the same complaint showing up across many reviews, and check how recent they are. Specific details about pay, training and management tell you more than star ratings. Bring those topics into your interview. A company should be willing to talk about criticism.
What to check about a company before an interview
Confirm the company's address, how long it has been operating, what it sells, and who the role reports to. For us, that's a field-marketing firm headquartered in Indianapolis since 2016, with representatives selling for Fortune 500 brands in stores.
Questions to Ask Before You Accept a Sales Offer
Wherever you apply, ask about training, your schedule, and how you'll be measured before you take a commission sales job.
About training and support
How long is training, who runs it, and what does it cover? Once I'm working in a store, who do I call with questions?
About schedule, travel, and the regions you would cover
What hours and days are typical? Will I travel, and who pays for it? Which regions would I work in?
About how performance is measured
Which numbers am I measured on? How often are they reviewed? What happens if I fall behind early?
How to Prepare to Apply for Entry Level Sales in Indianapolis
To apply for entry level sales in Indianapolis, you need a clear resume and honest answers in the interview. You don't need sales experience for either.
Updating your resume with the experience you have
List jobs, volunteer work and campus roles where you talked with people, hit goals or kept to a schedule. Keep each line short and specific.
Preparing for the interview conversation
For a field marketing job interview, practice explaining why sales interests you. Have a story ready about a time you handled rejection. Write your pay questions down and bring them with you so you don't forget to ask.
What to expect after you apply
Someone should follow up with you about next steps and an interview. If anything about the process is unclear, ask us.
Frequently Asked Questions About Entry Level Sales Jobs
Here are short answers to the questions graduates ask us most.
Is a commission-based sales job a good first job after college?
It can be, if you enjoy talking with people and you're comfortable with pay that depends on results. If you need a fixed, predictable income right away, it may not suit you yet.
Do I need sales experience?
No. At the start, what matters is that you communicate well, show up, and can take a no.
Is the Credence Innovations role commission-based?
Yes. It's a commission-based sales job in a store, selling for Fortune 500 brands. Ask us how commission works when you interview.
How are brand ambassador jobs different from in-store sales representative jobs?
Companies often use the two titles for similar work. Ask whether the role is mostly sampling and awareness or mostly closing sales. The answer affects how you're paid.
Is This First Job a Fit for You?
This job suits people who want to build sales skills and accept that pay follows results. These questions can help you decide.
A short checklist to answer for yourself
Do I enjoy starting conversations with strangers? Can I hear no many times in a day and keep going? Can I manage my budget if my pay changes week to week? Do I want to learn to sell for large brands?
Who may want to look at other options
If you need a fixed paycheck right now, or you'd rather not deal with the public much, a commission-based role probably isn't right for you at the moment. Picking something else is a sensible choice.
How to reach out to Credence Innovations with questions
Contact Credence Innovations if you want to ask about the role, how commission works, training, or which regions have openings. We'll give you straight answers, and you can ask us any of the pay questions above.