As a hiring sales manager, I have conducted thousands of sales job interviews in search of the right sales talent for an opportunity. The one thing that can truly make a sales candidate stand out from the rest is by truly understanding the question the hiring sales manager is asking during the sales job interview.
SALES JOB INTERVIEW TIP: LISTEN TO THE QUESTION
This might seem like a simple suggestion to do during the sales job interview, but believe it or not, many candidates are quick to the draw and begin answering a question before truly listening to what is being asked. During the sales job interview, try not to interrupt while the hiring sales manager is talking and wait until the question is fully asked. I have had many candidates not move forward in the hiring process because the answers they provided had nothing to do with the question I was trying to ask.
Hiring sales managers asks questions to uncover specific information they are looking for in you as a candidate. It is your job to truly listen and understand what the question is, and also why. Remind yourself to giving full attention during the sales job interview and the best way to uncover the meaning is by asking clarifying questions such as, “can you elaborate more”. , or ” I want to ensure that I fully understand your question…”. You can also ask confirmation questions to ensure that the answers you provided, did its job in providing the hiring sales manager the answers to their questions.
The sales job interview is your chance to sell yourself. I use this time to really see how the potential candidate would sell to our customers, and the sales job interview is a perfect example of how you execute excellent listening skills, qualify questions and communications. Actively listen and seek to understand, then confidently provide an answer that positions you as the best candidate for the sales job opportunity.
SALES JOB INTERVIEW TIP: SEEK TO UNDERSTAND
During the sales job interview, the hiring sales manager asks a set of questions to uncover your experience and what you can bring to the table. It is important to seek to understand what the hiring manager is truly asking. As mentioned above, by actively listening during the sales job interview, you can pick up what is being asked, but the goal is for you to both actively listen and to also understand what is being asked. This demonstrates not only excellent communication skills but also great consultative selling skills as well. You are selling yourself and it should be the most important sale of your life. Listen up and understand, then provide your concise and perfect answer.