Preparing for the Interview

Going for that all important sales interview can be really awe-inspiring. The way you sell yourself in an interview will obviously be a good gauge as to how you can sell yourself in the field. So how can you make sure those last minute nerves don’t stop you giving your optimum performance and what can you do to prepare beforehand. In this article we are going to go over the essentials.

1. Before you go to the interview refresh yourself with what you written in your CV or application form. Your interviewer will be using this information to modify his questioning. If you know what much he/she knows about you – you are forearmed.
2. There are certain questions which come up at interviews again and again. So preparing for the inevitable has to be a good idea. Popular questions are:
• What are your greatest strengths? Don’t be modest here. This is the first and possibly the last time they are going to meet you so make sure you have a list of things you can pass their way.
• What is your greatest weakness? The trick here is to pick something you are actually working on. It is in fact a “positive factor” if someone is aware of their weaknesses as people can then learn to grow so choose a weakness you are aware of doing something about – like training for instance.
• Have you any questions you would like to ask us? If you have no questions it looks as if you are not particularly interested in the job. Three questions is about right, but try and make them about progressing your career and the work environment – not annual leave, and salary etc.
• Why do you want this position? Again a passionate answer will show possible loyalty and commitment to the position and company.
• Why did you leave your last post? You maybe in a situation where you may need to explain gaps in your career. Do not lie, but try and create an answer in your mind which will sound positive.

3. Make notes of points you want to say. It is a myth that you can not use things to prompt you in an interview. Obviously reading from notes would just be silly but interviewers understand it is a nerve racking situation and allow leeway. A good idea is to write notes on post cards for important areas you do not wish to forget. Ask before you refer to them.
4. Research the company who is interviewing you and then drop that information during general questions in the interview. This will show to your interviewers that you are not just interested in a salary at the end of the week, you are likely to be interested in the company itself. It also shows initiative.
5. Finally, to help your nerves, don’t forget the interviewers want to find the person to fit their job - they are not trying to trip you up or make you look silly. The reason for this is simple. Advertising and recruitment costs a lot of time and money. So relax. They are probably very much on your side.