How to prepare for the interview

Are you getting ready for a sales job interview and feeling a bit nervous? Don’t worry, you’re not alone! Interviews can be intimidating, especially when it comes to sales roles where your ability to communicate and persuade is critical. But don’t let that stress hold you back – with the right preparation and mindset, you can ace your interview and land the job of your dreams. 

In this blog, we’ll walk you through the top tips and strategies for preparing for a sales job interview. From researching the company and practicing your pitch to dressing the part and staying calm under pressure, we’ve got you covered. So let’s get started and make sure you’re fully prepared to crush it on interview day!

1. Research the company: It’s important to have a good understanding of the company you’re interviewing with, including the number of employees, size of the sales team, its products or services, target market, and overall business goals. Visit the company’s website and Linkedin page. Go to the company’s YouTube channel and watch their videos. This will help you tailor your responses to the specific needs of the company and show that you’re genuinely interested in the role.

2. Prepare to be asked common sales interview questions: Familiarize yourself with common sales interview questions, such as “What is your sales process?” or “How do you handle certain objections?” and come up with thoughtful, honest, and specific responses from your experiences.

3. Tie your experience back to the job description: The job description outlines the duties, responsibilities, and requirements of the sales role. It provides a clear understanding of what the company is looking for in a candidate and what the expectations will be for the role. Find ways to link your knowledge, skills, and experience to the job description and better position yourself as a qualified candidate.

4. Prepare your own questions: It’s important to show that you’ve done your research and are interested in the company and the role. Come up with a few questions to ask the interviewer about the company, the sales team, expectations, and the role itself.

5. Bring copies of your resume and any other relevant documents: If the interview is conducted in person It’s a good idea to bring a few copies of your resume and any other relevant documents, such as references or work samples, with you to the interview. If it’s a virtual interview be sure to share all documents with the hiring manager or recruiter.

6. Know your current and previous role KPIs: If you have previous sales experience it’s in your best interest to clearly communicate what activities such number of dials, booked meetings, held meetings, opportunities, and sales were expected, how performance was measured, and where you stacked up against those expectations. 

7. Don’t lie about your performance, be honest and humble: Savvy hiring and sales managers can tell when candidates are exaggerating their performance and accolades on a resume and you will be called out. Be very transparent about your performance in other sales roles. If you had a tough month or quarter explain why and what you did to bounce back.

8. Demonstrate your sales skills: During the interview, be prepared to discuss your sales skills and approach. This may involve discussing your ability to deliver presentations, build relationships, ask discovery questions, build value, problem-solve,  negotiate, and close deals.

9. Read sales books, sales blogs, and listen to podcasts: There are no experts in sales, everyone is a student of sales. Sharpen your axe regularly with sales-related content to keep up to date with the latest strategies, processes, and information on how to get ahead in sales.

10. Find out who your sales manager will be: Who your sales manager is can be an important factor in your success in any new sales role. A good sales manager can provide valuable guidance, support, and leadership, helping you to develop your skills and achieve your sales goals. On the other hand, a poor sales manager can hinder your success and create a negative work environment. They may be unsupportive, lacking in leadership skills, or lacking in sales knowledge, which can make it difficult for you to succeed in your role.

By following these tips and being fully prepared, you can increase your chances of success in a sales job interview, impress the hiring manager and land the role of your dreams.

For more tips and tricks on finding a great company to work for check out Episode 01 of the Students of Sales Podcast: How to Land Your Next Sales Role