Associate Sales Representative - Japan (Cisco Sales Associates Program)

Please note this posting is to advertise potential job opportunities. This exact role may not be open today but could open in the near future. When you apply, a Cisco representative may contact you directly if a relevant position opens.

Note: We anticipate beginning the interview process in early September. If you are selected to move forward in the hiring process, you will be contacted directly during that timeframe with further instructions. We truly appreciate your interest in joining our team and look forward to reviewing your application soon

Meet the Team  

You will train alongside a diverse cohort of high-calibre individuals from across the APJC Region, building a rich professional network and long-lasting friendships. This hub-based environment provides a "safe-to-fail" setting where you can master your craft through AI customer simulations and mentored on-the-job activities. 

Throughout the program, you will collaborate with Cisco Associate Solutions Engineers to provide technical solutions that drive business outcomes. You will expand your expertise across Collaboration, Security, Networking, and Cloud to bridge the gap between technical requirements and business value. You will learn from industry experts and dedicated coaches using our own leading-edge technology. 

To support your growth, you will be paired with a mentor—a CSAP alumnus who has previously come through the program. Supported by a team committed to your success, you will earn industry-standard certifications and gain the expertise required to thrive in outstanding technical sales opportunities across our global organisation. 

Your Impact  

The CSAP Graduate Program is a 12-month global accelerator designed to develop high-potential individuals into Sales Champions. Built on a model of Education, Exposure, and Experience, the program offers a clear progression: 

- Month 1–3: Participate in immersive Bootcamp training and foundational skill-building. 

- Month 3–12: Complete three rotational assignments for real-world sales experience and quarterly competency checkpoints. 

- Beyond 12 months: Transition into an Inside Account Executive role to drive customer outcomes and build global relationships. 

Our learning philosophy prioritises experiential growth, with the majority of your development occurring through coached, real-world practice within a hub-based cohort of peers. This immersive approach ensures you grow and learn through direct application rather than in isolation. 

A key part of this Program is our AI-First Mandate. As an Associate Sales Representative (ASR) in our Global Sales Enablement & Acceleration team, you will build strong AI skills by using advanced learning platforms and artificial intelligence to design technical solutions and improve strategic decision-making. This trajectory is designed for those looking to outpace the traditional career curve! Through quarterly competency checkpoints, high-performers can validate their skills and fast-track into quota-carrying roles before the program concludes. 

Upon completion of the 12-month Early In Career program, as an Inside Account Executive (IAE), you will join our Global Virtual Sales (GVS) team to connect customers with Cisco technologies that drive significant business outcomes. In partnership with Solutions Engineers, you will uncover new opportunities and build long-term relationships with your customers and partners. 

Minimum Qualifications 

- Recent under or postgraduate degree in any discipline or equivalent professional experience through Apprenticeships or Vocational programs, with up to 2 years of professional experience.  

- Fluent in English and the primary language of the country for which you are applying. 

- Legally authorised to work in the country of hire without company sponsorship. 

Preferred Qualifications 

- While Business, STEM, and Management degrees are valued, we actively encourage applicants from non-traditional backgrounds (Liberal Arts, Humanities,

- Social Sciences) who demonstrate strong critical thinking, digital fluency, and creative problem solving. We value cognitive diversity in our AI-First approach. 

Socially-native technology enthusiast who leverages AI tools to sharpen prospecting, market analysis, and the acceleration of the sales cycle. 

- High emotional intelligence and interpersonal tenacity; you thrive on building high-trust relationships and possess the strategic creativity [and/or original thinking] required to navigate complex, matrixed decision-making units. 

- Commercial resilience, with a proven ability to handle the "no," pivot under pressure, and remain relentlessly focused on achieving high-performance revenue targets. 

- Masterful storyteller and negotiator who can bridge the gap between a client’s business challenges and Cisco’s technological solutions to create "win-win" outcomes. 

Why Cisco? 

At Cisco, we’re revolutionizing how data and infrastructure connect and protect organizations in the AI era – and beyond. We’ve been innovating fearlessly for 40 years to create solutions that power how humans and technology work together across the physical and digital worlds. These solutions provide customers with unparalleled security, visibility, and insights across the entire digital footprint.

Fueled by the depth and breadth of our technology, we experiment and create meaningful solutions. Add to that our worldwide network of doers and experts, and you’ll see that the opportunities to grow and build are limitless. We work as a team, collaborating with empathy to make really big things happen on a global scale. Because our solutions are everywhere, our impact is everywhere. 

We are Cisco, and our power starts with you.