Landing a sales job with the right company could possibly be the launch pad for a very successful and prosperous career. Having interviewed and hired many sales reps myself, I have been astonished by what some candidates do and say while in the interview process. There are specific things that the very best job candidates consistently do, and common traits sales managers will almost always be looking for. Whenever you follow these simple tips, you will impress your interviewer, standout amongst your peers, and greatly improve your probability of getting hired.
These are some essential things you will need to do to get prepared for and conduct a highly effective job interview:
Learn about the company as well as the person you'll interview with. There are many sources to collect information from. Some important facts are the industry they are in, recent performance, major competitors, new announcements, growth areas, and corporate initiatives to mention a few. It's also wise to check the background of the person you are meeting with to determine just how long they've been with the company and other interests or experience they may have. I will always ask my candidates what they understand about the company to gauge their knowledge and interest and also to assess if they've done their homework. Candidates that ask me about what my company does, will not likely rank high.
Dress for success and also be on time. If you want to be a sales professional, then it is expected that you look and behave like one. It's best to wear formal attire and arrive early with copies of your resume in hand to ensure that the first impression is a positive one. You won't want to start an interview by apologizing about why you were late, or leave an unfavorable impression because you were dressed sloppily. Your resume should be reviewed in advance by others to make certain there are not any typos or grammatical errors that could stop you from ever getting your foot in the door to begin with.
Relate your skills and experience to the job. Preparation is critical and really 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 the way your unique skills and prior experience will map to and enable your ability to succeed in your new job. Showing a careful confidence without losing sight of humility is important.
Leverage your prior sales achievements. Every sales team manager would like to hire someone with a solid track record. It is best to communicate just how you have been successful with examples of your best sales. I always ask my candidates to tell me about one of the most interesting and complex sales they closed, along with the role they played and relationships they've built with their clients, to get a sense of their overall process and how they started and lead the sales cycle. I once 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 may not have every attribute your hiring manager is looking for, however, it is best to demonstrate your passion to succeed. By having a well thought out plan you can share with your interviewer, you may be able to overcome some or all of your shortfalls. For example, you may not have experience in a similar industry or with the products or services that company sells. Your plan should include ways to address those shortfalls and indicate what's worked previously. 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 to 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.
By following these sales interview methods, you will be very well prepared for your interview and substantially increase your chances of being hired for your new sales position.
These are some essential things you will need to do to get prepared for and conduct a highly effective job interview:
Learn about the company as well as the person you'll interview with. There are many sources to collect information from. Some important facts are the industry they are in, recent performance, major competitors, new announcements, growth areas, and corporate initiatives to mention a few. It's also wise to check the background of the person you are meeting with to determine just how long they've been with the company and other interests or experience they may have. I will always ask my candidates what they understand about the company to gauge their knowledge and interest and also to assess if they've done their homework. Candidates that ask me about what my company does, will not likely rank high.
Dress for success and also be on time. If you want to be a sales professional, then it is expected that you look and behave like one. It's best to wear formal attire and arrive early with copies of your resume in hand to ensure that the first impression is a positive one. You won't want to start an interview by apologizing about why you were late, or leave an unfavorable impression because you were dressed sloppily. Your resume should be reviewed in advance by others to make certain there are not any typos or grammatical errors that could stop you from ever getting your foot in the door to begin with.
Relate your skills and experience to the job. Preparation is critical and really 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 the way your unique skills and prior experience will map to and enable your ability to succeed in your new job. Showing a careful confidence without losing sight of humility is important.
Leverage your prior sales achievements. Every sales team manager would like to hire someone with a solid track record. It is best to communicate just how you have been successful with examples of your best sales. I always ask my candidates to tell me about one of the most interesting and complex sales they closed, along with the role they played and relationships they've built with their clients, to get a sense of their overall process and how they started and lead the sales cycle. I once 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 may not have every attribute your hiring manager is looking for, however, it is best to demonstrate your passion to succeed. By having a well thought out plan you can share with your interviewer, you may be able to overcome some or all of your shortfalls. For example, you may not have experience in a similar industry or with the products or services that company sells. Your plan should include ways to address those shortfalls and indicate what's worked previously. 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 to 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.
By following these sales interview methods, you will be very well prepared for your interview and substantially increase your chances of being hired for your new sales position.
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Check here for more valuable information about Proven Sales Techniques. By Paul M. Balzano
