Comments on: Guest Brad Shorr: Interviewing for a Sales Job

By: Estelle

Estelle — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 07:55:10 +0000

Hi Brad,
you were definitely spot on, I’ve been in sales for a while and just got a jos as Sales Manager (Talent) for a fashion retail store. There were 3 positions available; the interviewer asked me to describe myself and brief job description of where I see myself fitting in. I have to confess I sometimes like to leave the technical part to someone else. I believe in good custome service and love motivating people which in the end equals meeting goals and increase in sales.

By: jessica It jobs UK

jessica It jobs UK — Sat, 07 Mar 2009 11:44:33 +0000

Hey this was a informative blog for me. As i am going to attend a interview and currently searching for the interview tips here i got two useful interview tips its helpful to me. Also if its possible to provide some more vacancy information in the Hotel and Healthcare departments please comment me..

By: Brad Shorr

Brad Shorr — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 14:34:03 +0000

Hi Conrad, Yes, the personality thing is really important and quite difficult for someone just entering the workforce to appreciate. To many of them, a sales job is a sales job is a sales job. The tragedy is, they find themselves in a job that doesn’t mesh, and they conclude that sales is not the career for them.

By: Brad Shorr

Brad Shorr — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 01:32:36 +0000

Hi Robert, You have natural sales talent, and you are definitely a star in those four key areas. I hope things develop for you quickly. We’ve got to be near a turnaround in the economy … right?

By: Conrad

Conrad — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 01:12:14 +0000

Brad, I think your advice is spot on. It gives a great down-to-earth sense of what a job seeker should be looking for and what sales at its best is all about. The unique addition for me is your positioning of different personality types with different types of product. That seems invaluable.

By: Robert Hruzek

Robert Hruzek — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 22:01:11 +0000

One of the reasons I’ve always avoided a sales career is, well, I hate selling! Alas, it was quite the revelation to discover that, well, EVERYTHING is sales! And the principles of sales are even more relevant to your favorite subject, GL – the job hunt!

Now that I’m reconciled to that fact, I can appreciate what Brad’s written here. Thanks for the tips! Now… where did I put that call list again?

By: Brad Shorr

Brad Shorr — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 17:01:56 +0000

Hi Karen, GL – The good news is listening is a skill that can be learned with just a little bit of effort. Unfortunately it seems as though many in sales fail to realize how important a skill it is.

By: wwds

wwds — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 16:55:54 +0000

Karen,
Exactly right. For some reason, many believe that ’sales’ equates either the retail sales clerk or the car sales person, and the bad stereotypes of both. My experience is like Brad’s and yours: some of the best sales people I have met and hired are no where close to that image. But all listen, are engaged, and are passionate about their company and product. Thanks for stopping by and leaving a great comment.

By: Karen Swim

Karen Swim — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 14:33:28 +0000

Brad’s advice is excellent. I spent a large part of my corporate career hiring, training, and managing sales people. Like Brad, I had the opportunity to work with a broad cross spectrum of people and coach them to sales success. Many believe that if you are extroverted and gregarious you will do well in sales, but listening well is more important than talking. As Brad points out there are many different types of sales positions and it is worth the effort to find your fit.

By: Ideas for Sales Job Interviews

Ideas for Sales Job Interviews — Sun, 01 Mar 2009 15:33:51 +0000

[...] Hoffman just published my guest post, Interviewing for a Sales Job – Thoughts from a Veteran Interviewer. A few of my ideas apply to other types of jobs … if you have a chance, please check it [...]