Sending the recruiter or hiring manager a DM/email looking to discuss an open role is a critical first step in getting in the door, so DO NOT fumble this golden opportunity to stand out; use our guide to learn how to land an interview and further your sales career.
The other equally important thing you need to do is to personalize your message. We receive a lot of “I feel my skills and experience will make me successful in this position,” and my hunch is you are probably cutting and pasting this.
That’s great you feel this way, but give 2 to 3 skills/accomplishments/experiences that are relevant to the specific job. The requirements are always outlined in the job description, so take the extra time to do this.
Why? Because first impressions are always important, and this extra step (which might really only take you a few minutes) tells the employer you are serious about the opportunity, you are thoughtful, and you are willing to take that extra step. And these are all characteristics that employers want in their employees.
The Difficult Interview Questions
One challenging interview question that candidates are typically asked is why they want to leave their current job or why they left their previous position.
When asked why you left/want to leave a job – whether it was because of your manager (the most likely reason), the company, or whatever – it’s always best to take the high road.
There are diplomatic and truthful ways to position your departure to avoid looking like an excuse maker or a bitter former employee. For example, you can say, “I’m looking for a bigger growth opportunity,” or “the role I’m in is no longer a fit.”
How to Land an Interview: Getting Intel on the Role/Company
In the oversaturated world of sports talk shows, a recent topic is: where will all of these top QB free agents (Brady, Brees, Rivers, etc.) land, and will they be as good as they were on their previous team?
Here’s the answer: it depends on their teammates. For example, the offensive linemen who protect them need to be good, and the running backs and receivers also have to be good—even the defense. My point is, you are only as good as the team that you work with every day.
So when you are considering making a move to another company as a salesperson and trying to figure out how to land an interview, dig into the departments that work closely with the sales team. Whether it’s Sales Engineers, Marketing, Account Management, Sales Operations, SDR’s, and/or the departments that sometimes get the dreaded nickname of “the sales prevention team,” it’s critical to understand who your team will be in this new role (a great question to ask during the interview!)
And if you’re a hiring manager, this is an excellent opportunity to pressure test a candidate’s experience working with these internal partners. Ask for specific examples of good relationships with these team members as well as the bad ones.
If you are a current salesperson who is doing very well at your company, make sure you show your appreciation to your internal partners.
Quarterbacks who have great seasons will typically buy gifts for their offensive lines and thank them when the game is won. So as a quarterback, make sure you both know your team and how they will help contribute to the shared goal.
Because once you’re able to reach out to the right people, tackle those difficult interview questions, and understand your teammates, it’s almost certain (assuming you have the right qualifications and background) that you’ll win that right role. To get a better understanding on how to land an interview at your dream job, contact us today and we’ll help you find the perfect sales opportunity for you and your career.