HOW TO GET THE SALES POSITION YOU WANT

Quick Interviewing Tips

As opposed to other industry interviews, you, as a salesperson, really have to sell yourself. If you can’t sell yourself, how can you sell the company’s products or services? Here are some tips that may help you give a winning sales performance about you – the product and service you are selling-to the hiring manager.

Prior to the Interview

  • Do research about the company via the Internet--visit the company's website
  • Have a typed list of 5-10 questions that you are prepared to ask the hiring manager or other people who may be involved in your interview experience
  • Organize your sales accomplishments and be prepared to give specific examples

The Interview

  • Be on time
  • Wear a suit
  • Body language is important -- develop good eye contact; smile; relax; be confident
  • Sell yourself. Identify three benefits you provide and how they will help the company
  • Practice the 3 Cs of interviewing:  be CALM, be CONFIDENT and be CONVERSATIONAL
  • Talk about accomplishments / results -- not about your "activities"
  • Use a pro-active / solution approach – become really involved in the interviewing process – be “fired-up” about yourself and the company
  • Bring a “brag book” about yourself that would include reference letters, achievements and awards, contests won, etc. This provides a great source of proof for your accomplishments – it gives them a reason to believe you
  • Thank the interviewer(s) for his/her time and consideration. Mention what you enjoyed about the interview and ask for some type of commitment before you leave -- the next step 

After the Interview

  • Immediately after the interview, send a handwritten note, email, or fax to the hiring manager, thanking them for their time
  • If you want the position, follow up by phone within 24-48 hours asking for a second interview. Companies want people with good follow-up skills and you have just shown that!