Practice Interview Questions for Sales Jobs

By: John Bult
Submitted: 2008-06-20 13:32:29
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Just like exams, the more you can predict the questions at interviews for sales jobs, the better chance you have of scoring high marks, and the higher your marks the better the chances of actually getting that job offer. To help you prepare a little more, here;s some of the most common questions with advice on how to prepare answers.

Q : Can you sell?

A : It may seem utterly obvious but the answer to this really must be a resounding yes. It's amazing just how many give a half hearted 'no too bad' or ' okay really' in foolish attempt to sound modest. Modesty is a really British thing but it's no good for sales jobs, you need to be brimming with confidence in your ability to sell. If you can't convince them of yourself at interview, they know you can't sell their product.

Q : What evidence do you have that you can sell?

Once you can verbally persuade your interviewer that you can sell, then they will want hard evidence that you have done it before. They will expect to see a brag file full of examples of your successes. They could be company awards or appraisal documents, or perhaps letters from customers. In addition it's worth pointing out that 'one off's' are no good. They will want to see evidence of sustained success over time, perhaps months or years rather than weeks. The more convincing the evidence you are able to show them, the less of a risk they are taking if they appoint you.

Q : Think of a scenario where you have been successful, tell me what happened?

A : Firstly, to state the obvious, you do need to have examples of where you have been successful. I'm sure some of those people who say 'I'm can't really think' have indeed been successful in sales jobs and are just having a mental block during the interview, but this just won't wash. You need to plan answers on advance. Make sure you choose success scenarios where you know why you have been successful, where it was a planned and thought out success rather than a chance happening. This will convince your interview that you will be able to reproduce success on a future occasion.

Q : Think of a difficult situation you have had to handle, describe how you resolved it?

A: The reality is, in sales jobs there are some awkward people out there who will give you a hard time. At worst, they will drag your name through mud and reduce your market opportunities and stamp all over you confidence. At best, if you handle well and resolve their issue you may end up with a good life long customer. Make sure you prepare examples where you have turned the situation around. Describing situations where you lost your cool and told the customer to buy elsewhere is certain interview death.

Q : You've got 5 minutes to sell me this chair?

A : I can still remember my thought process the first time I heard this one. “I know nothing about your chair so how can I sell it.” “This is utterly false, you're going to awkward for the sake of it, and the worst one”. And perhaps the worst one “where on earth do I start” The good news is you can learn this and practise it, so you'll be willing them to ask you this question. All they are looking for is a structured sales process that you are able to implement and follow in any sales jobs. You will find a plethora of these on the internet and books with acronyms to remember. Learn one and practise on your friends.

There are many things that can catch you out in interviews for sales jobs, but the more you can turn up prepared for the questions you may face, the more you will have increased your chances of success. Good luck.

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