I've gone through a pretty lengthy process, taken a couple of assessment tests, and have done several phone interviews for this position. There are 2 positions available, and 5-6 candidates made the final cut for the interview.

This is a B2B sales position with a big equipment organization, and the benefits and vehicle package are extremely generous. I got the interview based on my experience, success, and awards while I was a recruiter. That said, I haven't done any recruiting in 4+ years. This is a career change, and the first interview I will have for a job I'm extremely interested in. The company is flying in the regional VP, some other operations guy, and there will be a couple of people from the local area. The interview is being held at a local hotel conference room, and there will be a presentation from the VP in which he basically sells the company to us before anybody has a personal interview. I am told everything from company market share, compensation, benefits package, and what is expected from the people who are selected will be covered in the presentation.

What types of questions should I ask when it is my turn in the interview?
Anything I should avoid?
Anybody in this field have any specific advice?

I appreciate any good feedback you guys can give me. Thanks.

Wear pants.

I have no advice to give other then those types of interviews are the fucking worst.

Take studious notes from the regional VP's presentation. Write down everything you find important. Then, when you interview, you can say "from the VP's presentation, he said XYZ and it really interests me. Can you please further explain." Something like that, you get the idea. It shows you paid attention to the presentation, you are interested and that you pay attention to detail.

Other than that, try to be calm and confident in yourself and just go in and nail it.

Ask multiple questions about personal growth in the company. Make sure they know you're not there just to collect a paycheck, you want a career.

You only have one chance to make a good first impression. Overdress, if necessary. Be clean cut, polite, and professional. Good luck.

 

Originally Posted by dolphin13

even if its not a pyramid scheme it sounds fishy. like selling insurance for Aflac or something isn't a pyramid scheme but still..

right, thats more what I meant but sounds like he like anyone else with resume online has taken plenty of these calls and deflected them

Company looks good OneM - i'm a bit surprised at the move from a cop to a security chief in a strip club but i'm sure ECU won't mind. Security is security.

j/k and good luck

nail it

 

Originally Posted by Geoff Moore

make sure to be aware of your body language and theirs

I think I have an idea of what I'm looking at in this area, but anything you want to point out in particular?

Continue to research this company - but also do some reasearch on the competition. Do whatever you can to understand the market and where the company's strengths and weaknesses are. Find out if there is an internet forum dedicated to this type of sales. If so, take everything you find there with a grain of salt; people who are unhappy with something (i.e. company) are more likely to express their unhappiness than people who are happy with the same thing.

If given the opportunity to ask questions when sitting with other interviewees - DON'T. Do not give your competition any good ideas for questions to expand on in private interviews, but poach anything that you feel that you can use from them. When asking questions as the only interviewee in the room, use questions that illustrate your knowledge of the market. For instance, if the company is #2 in the market, find out why that is. Do they not serve all of the same markets as the #1 player? Are they gunning for the #1 spot? Is their need for new salespeople in your territory part of that strategy, or are you replacing others who vacated the position? If you are replacing others, were they promoted? Was their departure at their own option? What created the need for the position?

Don't be shy about asking exactly how compensation is structured, and if, where and why your income is capped. Since this is a sales position, they are probably-looking for money-motivated people. If you were looking for a way to make the world a better place, you wouldn't be looking for a sales position.

I know it is customary for you to french kiss Latino gentlemen as soon as you meet them, but resist this urge if interviewed by any Latinos - unless you know they are into it. If you see any Latinos drinking skim milk, take it as a green light to make out with them. LeftyMark did his dissertation on Latino middle-management using skim milk as a signal to make out with bald dudes from Florida. Ask him for any additional details that might prove helpful in your search for gainful employment and tongue fights with Puerto Ricans.

 

Originally Posted by El Burro

Continue to research this company - but also do some reasearch on the competition. Do whatever you can to understand the market and where the company's strengths and weaknesses are. Find out if there is an internet forum dedicated to this type of sales. If so, take everything you find there with a grain of salt; people who are unhappy with something (i.e. company) are more likely to express their unhappiness than people who are happy with the same thing.

If given the opportunity to ask questions when sitting with other interviewees - DON'T. Do not give your competition any good ideas for questions to expand on in private interviews, but poach anything that you feel that you can use from them. When asking questions as the only interviewee in the room, use questions that illustrate your knowledge of the market. For instance, if the company is #2 in the market, find out why that is. Do they not serve all of the same markets as the #1 player? Are they gunning for the #1 spot? Is their need for new salespeople in your territory part of that strategy, or are you replacing others who vacated the position? If you are replacing others, were they promoted? Was their departure at their own option? What created the need for the position?

Don't be shy about asking exactly how compensation is structured, and if, where and why your income is capped. Since this is a sales position, they are probably-looking for money-motivated people. If you were looking for a way to make the world a better place, you wouldn't be looking for a sales position.

I know it is customary for you to french kiss Latino gentlemen as soon as you meet them, but resist this urge if interviewed by any Latinos - unless you know they are into it. If you see any Latinos drinking skim milk, take it as a green light to make out with them. LeftyMark did his dissertation on Latino middle-management using skim milk as a signal to make out with bald dudes from Florida. Ask him for any additional details that might prove helpful in your search for gainful employment and tongue fights with Puerto Ricans.

I'm going to be taking some of these questions with me. Thank you for the advice, this is good information and I'm going to find the answers to some of this stuff tomorrow.

 

Originally Posted by OneM24

I think I have an idea of what I'm looking at in this area, but anything you want to point out in particular?

I don't think you should worry too much about specifics. Just be mindful of your posture, use eye contact, and be attentive.

you need to sell yourself first and foremost as this a sales position, you need to show that you worked in the B2B market before, you want to learn and have plenty to give

take a deep breath before answering any and all questions - look the person in the eye who asked the question whilst you take this deep breath - then smile and talk slowly clearly and concisely

dont ask about benefits unless they bring it up, talk about the company and the product if you feel they want to know what you know, otherwise don't - as they already know it

and a firm handshake - none of this limp wristed bs

Hand written notes? I just send emails ( to everyone I interviewed with) I feel like the days of using courier services for these tasks is kind of over, no? I'm not in sales tho (or even business really).