YIKES, I might have deleted the "Job" thread by accident...please repost.

[GordonJ]

I'm SORRY.

Dien and I are working on something, and I may have deleted a new thread that had some very good advice in it. My sincere apologies.

Please repost if you can.

It was about getting a "commission" only sales job, I think ads on the back of receipts at the supermarket?

Again, I'm sorry. When doing something new and exciting, you (meaning ME) have to be extra careful you don't throw the baby out with the bathwater.

Gordon Jay Alexander MR. OOOPS.

[GordonJ]

Normally, I use word before I post...not always, but if it is something I might want to save, I do.

There was a thread about getting a job, a commission only, 1099 private contractor job.

Some good advice got accidentally deleted. Hopefully, those posters will take the time to repost, we do VALUE your input.

I can't remember all the good advice, but I'll start it off with what I might do if it were me seeking this job.

I'd want to know everyplace they are located, or is it a job to get retailers to use the ad service? I don't know.

Either way, you want to know what this company does to the Nth degree. It is also, I think Glenn was on this track...

a TWO WAY STREET. You are interviewing them as much as they are interviewing you. It may be a great fit, it may not be.

CONFIDENCE is often the "tipping point" between candidates. They want someone who is not afraid of rejection, someone who can close the deal.

That's really about all these types of jobs look for. They don't want someone who is going to disappear in a week after training. So show them that you can stick with the task for awhile.

KNOW more about this company than the guy doing the interviewing, and you may have to dig for this, kinda late in the process.

KNOW the advertising competition, I would. The coupon connections, direct mail (such as Val Pak), newspaper advertising costs...all things you'll need to know for the job anyhow.

You're going to have convince people it is WORTH it to do this type of advertising, and you have to know what else they COULD spend their ad dollars on.

Hope this helps a little and again, I apologize all over myself for deleting the thread...I'd like to promise it won't happen again, but when these fat little fingers get fired up to 35 to 40 wpm...anything could happen.

gja

Originally Posted by GordonJ

I'm SORRY.

Dien and I are working on something, and I may have deleted a new thread that had some very good advice in it. My sincere apologies.

Please repost if you can.

It was about getting a "commission" only sales job, I think ads on the back of receipts at the supermarket?

Again, I'm sorry. When doing something new and exciting, you (meaning ME) have to be extra careful you don't throw the baby out with the bathwater.

Gordon Jay Alexander MR. OOOPS.

Hi Gordon,

Thanks for ASKing to repost.

I THINK that this is part of the thread that was deleted, but not sure.
Please let Me know and I'll look for it.
(I save a LOT from THIS forum and a few other sites.)

Hope this Helps.



Christopher

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Henry Carey Henry Carey is offline
Member

Join Date: May 2007
Posts: 1
Default Sales job interview Weds. How can I nail it?
I don't know why but for some reason sales jobs are calling me LOUDLY.
I've only been a blue collar worker,the past ten years installing air conditioning
I have a Interview Wednesday morning and I could use some tips on how to get this job which by the way is a commission only 1099 subcontractor.


Thanks

Henry Carey

#2
Unread May 14, 2007, 05:32 PM

MMacGillivray
Member

Join Date: Sep 2006
Posts: 40
Default Re: Sales job interview Weds. How can I nail it?
Well, it's a long time since I was in the job market - however, one interview technique that seems to impress is to show your prospective employer that you have researched his company and know a little about the type of products and services they offer. That makes a great opening for you to ask relevant questions.

* Find out about the company
* Check out their sales brochures and other literature
* Make a good list of relevant questions you would like them to answer
* As it's a commission only employment, do they give you leads?
* Find out how and when they pay the commission - how do they compensate you for expenses?


Hope that starts the conversation for you!

Best wishes
Margaret
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#3
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#4
Unread May 14, 2007, 07:04 PM
Sandi Bowman
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 189
Default Re: Sales job interview Weds. How can I nail it?
Well, as a long-time multi-line salesperson/manager I can give you a few hints that might help but, most importantly, you have to get rid of some pre-conceived ideas about what sales is all about. There are as many types of sales as there are jobs (almost) so it's hard to get too specific without more details.

Forget about the 'everybody's your buddy' or the 'everyone's in competition with me and will steal my commissions' mindset. Neither will help you. People are just people and come in all varieties.

If it's a retail type of position such as in a store selling consumer parts in your specialty, for example, make sure they know you understand upselling. Upselling is the concept of 'adding on' to a sale to increase the bottom line and, in the process, also seeing that your customer has everything they need to benefit by what you sell them. It's also called add-on sales. A salesperson who understands this, is way ahead of the pack of the 'Oh, yeah, I know how to sell' group.

If you sell something make sure that whatever goes with it in the course of installing or using it, is offered to the customer as something they'll need or want to have on hand. This can be anything from a hammer and nails to a tool to cut pipe, if needed, for a plumbing job. It can be little stuff like a roll of tape to a wheelbarrow to dump the grass clippings into from the mower you just sold them. Think use, convenience, needed tools, customer satisfaction because you'll save them numerous trips and hold ups when doing the job.

One thing I always look for in a salesperson is enthusiasm. Not the hail fellow well met type...a genuine enthusiasm to learn more about the products, company, and so on.

The difference between a clerk and a salesperson can be boiled down into knowledge and ability to apply that knowledge to helping the customer. One rings up a cash register, the other turns browsers into buyers.

Hope something here helps. Wish you all the best.

BTW: don't let anyone tell you straight commission sales is the bottom of the barrel. Can be sometimes...and people are shuttled through some of them like fodder for the mill. Remember this: some of the highest paid people in sales are selling big ticket items, maybe only one a year, but their commision is better than the total of many work for the man types combined. If you have the confidence to do commission sales and get with a quality company that pays well for your results, it's a-okay. Some folks can't work if they're worried about the next paycheck...for them, a salary or salary plus commission deal is better. Know your personality, research companies carefully, and go with the best.

Sandi Bowman

P.S. The way to handle the 'sell me that lamp' ploy is to ask questions about the product of the customer to narrow down their desires.
***************************

Originally Posted by GordonJ

I'm SORRY.

Dien and I are working on something, and I may have deleted a new thread that had some very good advice in it. My sincere apologies.

Please repost if you can.

It was about getting a "commission" only sales job, I think ads on the back of receipts at the supermarket?

Again, I'm sorry. When doing something new and exciting, you (meaning ME) have to be extra careful you don't throw the baby out with the bathwater.

Gordon Jay Alexander MR. OOOPS.

Hi Gordon,

Thanks.

Here's Part II.



Christopher

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#5
Unread May 15, 2007, 12:35 AM
Ankesh
Senior Member

Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Mumbai, India
Posts: 199
Default Re: Sales job interview Weds. How can I nail it?
Thanks for asking Henry.

Act like you already have been hired. Before the interview, make a list/plan of how you would do the actual selling.

Then simply show that list to the person who is taking the interviews.
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- Ankesh Kothari
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Ankesh
#6
May 15, 2007, 09:42 AM
Kelly Kasabian
Member

Join Date: Sep 2006
Posts: 29
Default Re: Sales job interview Weds. How can I nail it?
Henry -

Along with everything above (re: study the company etc.) ...you need state "you" as often as possible to them (the hiring party). You need to explain what you bring to the table in being able to affect their bottom line ...therefore you need to state to them how you're going to break down barriers - if you can provide examples in the form of a story where you convinced someone of something simply by "handling their objections". It's that simple. You need to also show you understand that 90% of all people buy on emotion - then back that emotion up with logic ... and most important - the best salesman understand that sales is a process ...and in that process you have to ask questions that reveal their base emotions ...

...so try and ask the hiring people questions yourself ... turn the interview around and ask them:

1/ What's their biggest problem they need solved?
2/ What effect is that problem having on them (their business)?
3/ What will happen if they don't solve it? (assume it will get worse)

...then roll this into how you're assuming this is something they need to change ... they're probably looking for help in the matter ..and here's HOW YOU ARE GOING TO HELP THEM.

Now - don't say you can help if it turns out there biggest problem is that they need a qualified brain surgeon ... (then again, if that were the case, it's not outlandish that you could do your best to find the best person, but you get what I mean) ...

..the whole idea is - that you're showing them that you understand the motivations of customers ...that there is a process to them becoming aware that goes like this:

1/ they have an unwanted condition
2/ that condition is having an effect on their life
3/ they fear that if they don't solve that problem, it will get worse
4/ they need to change this
5/ they demand improvement
6/ they hope they can find help
7/ you provide the help.

This is the standard for the health and fitness industry - but it can be applied to practically anything ...

...just remember - sales is mostly handling objections ...but not being a pain in the rear about it ...so they're going to throw objections at you (if they're worth their salt in finding good sales people) ...so turn anything like that that they throw at you into the following:

"Okay -(repeat their objection back to them as a question)... that makes sense...I can see how you feel that way... I'm sure a lot have/might/probably felt the same ...but what you'll find is __________"

...and then just throw in your best answer that you can think of - even if it's silly. The whole idea is that in doing that one sentence, you're giving yourself time to formulate an answer and also you're showing them that you're taking their objection seriously.

There's a lot more to say ...and there are some good "sales interview questions" that you should do a google search for that you can be expected to get asked ...be prepared for them.

Good Luck and let us know how it goes...

KK
Kelly Kasabian
#7
May 15, 2007, 12:42 PM
Glenn
Member

Default 3 Proven Ways to Make Job Interviewers WANT YOU
Dear Henry,

Thanks for the question.

I've had several dozen jobs. So I guess I qualify as an Expert.

3 Questions:

Question #1 - CAN You Research the competition?

Look at some ads at monster.com. Then Call up 2 or 3 local competitors of your new employer. Tell them you're ALREADY employed in sales for a competitor. (Don't say which one) You're just calling to check if their are sales jobs open. And what they pay.

THEN - when you walk into your appointment. Your interviewer will be on the defensive. Because you are name dropping the competition.

Q #2 - CAN You Ask Questions the interviewer cannot answer?

You NEVER want to allow the Personnel Dept to decide to hire you or not. So ASK some questions they can't answer. Which will force them to refer you to the manager you'll be working for.

Q #3 - Can you change your point of view?

Instead of begging for a job. Ask this question...that shows you are choosing who to work for...

If I am to represent your company, what does the CEO or company owner or #1 sales person say is different, better or unique about the product or service you offer?

Why should clients buy from you INSTEAD of your competitors?

=============
IF nobody at the company can answer that question in
2 minutes or less. You do NOT want to work there.

IF they can't tell you why you should buy from their company - YOU will have Big Trouble convincing new prospects to buy.

Thanks,

Glenn

P.S. - What kind of sales job are you interviewing for?
***************************

[GordonJ]

a

[Dien Rice]

Originally Posted by GordonJ

I'm SORRY.

Dien and I are working on something, and I may have deleted a new thread that had some very good advice in it. My sincere apologies.

Please repost if you can.

It was about getting a "commission" only sales job, I think ads on the back of receipts at the supermarket?

Again, I'm sorry. When doing something new and exciting, you (meaning ME) have to be extra careful you don't throw the baby out with the bathwater.

Gordon Jay Alexander MR. OOOPS.

Hi Gordon,

I'm excited about our new "thing"...

Here's the thread - http://www.sowpub.com/forum/showthread.php?p=15362

It's a good thread too !

What happened is all the posts (except for a recent one) were from May, so when that recent post was deleted, it reverted back to its "old" place in the forum, back around all the other posts from May...

Thanks to Christopher too !

- Dien