Here are some essential things you will need to do to prepare for and conduct a successful job interview:
Learn about the company and even the person you will interview with. There are many sources to gather information from. Some important facts are the industry they are in, recent performance, major competitors, new announcements, growth areas, and corporate initiatives to name a few. You should also check the background of the person you are meeting with to see how long they've been with the company and other interests or experience they may have. I will always ask my candidates what they know about the company to gauge their knowledge and interest and also to determine if they have done their homework. Candidates that ask me about what my company does, will not rank high.
Dress for success and be on time. If you want to be a sales professional, then it is expected that you look and act like one. You should wear formal attire and arrive early with copies of your resume in hand to ensure that your first impression is a positive one. You don't want to start an interview by apologizing about why you were late, or leave a negative impression because you were dressed sloppily. Your resume should be reviewed in advance by others to ensure there are no typos or grammatical errors that could prevent you from ever getting your foot in the door in the first place.
Relate your skills and experience to the job. Preparation is critical and should start with knowing about the position your are interviewing for. Having that information, you can customize your resume beforehand, and you will also be prepared to discuss how your unique skills and prior experience will map to and enable your success in your new job. Showing a careful confidence without losing sight of humility is important.
Leverage your prior sales achievements. Every sales team manager really wants to hire someone with a solid track record. Always communicate how you have been successful with examples of your very best sales. I always ask my candidates to tell me about the most interesting and complex sales they closed, as well as the role they played and relationships they've built with their customers, to get a sense of their overall process and how they started and lead the sales cycle. One time I had a candidate tell me he couldn't remember one. That was the end of the interview for him.
Show your passion, desire and have a plan. You might not have every attribute your potential employer is looking for, however, you ought to demonstrate your passion to succeed. By having a well thought out plan you are able to present to your interviewer, you're likely to be able to overcome some or all of your shortfalls. For instance, you may not have experience in a similar business or with the products or services that company sells. Your plan needs to include ways to address those shortfalls and indicate what's worked in the past. Be specific about how you will learn about their products or services, the expected ramp up time, how you would start, when you would expect you'll be productive, and what your overall strategy is.
Ask questions, take notes, and think before you give answers. It is recommended to come prepared with questions regarding the job opportunity and what qualities the ideal candidate should have. It always helps to understand what will be expected of you and what particular problems they are having, so you're able to address those points with a solution at that moment. Be sure you understand the questions and think through your response before blurting out a response. Answer succinctly and confirm you've addressed the question.
Wrap up and determine next steps. Your exit plan should really be as smooth as your entry. Ending your interview abruptly will not likely go over well and will form a negative impression. You'll be interviewing for a sales position and really should ask closing questions while conveying your sincere interest in the job. To close your interview effectively, ask about the next steps, timing, and process for a decision. It's also helpful to request immediate feedback about the interview.
Follow up. A prompt follow up will imprint a positive image about you and demonstrate that you care. Send a thank you email or letter to each of the interviewers mentioning the key areas of the interview, the way your particular experience addresses the qualities of their ideal candidate, and your eagerness to join their team.
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By following these practical and valuable sales interview tips, you will be well prepared for your interview and substantially increase your chances of being hired for the job. Look here for more free information about Proven Sales Career Tips And Techniques.
