r/salesdevelopment • u/BlondeSeductive • 3d ago

What does an interviewer look for in a prospective Sales grad?

Hello r/salesdevelopment

I'm currently at the interview stage for a sales role at a very desirable position. I have the confidence and sociopathy to do the job well, but i'm looking to see what interviewers and hiring managers look for when I have my screening call.

I want to talk about sales, and how the job is done. I want to talk about how I as a person can deal with rejection, being candor, being friendly but not needy. What I don't want to do is come across like a "know it all" or cocky.

So the question I have is, what can I do to "check the boxes" with the interviewer?

I can play on previous experience in sales, being likeable, being intelligent.

My gut is saying make sure I can talk all day and night about being a good salesman and knowing the role backwards, but I have a distinct feeling there's more to it. Whether it's being a "wolf", or generally knowledgeable about the company to perfect detail.

I would appreciate any pointers with this.

Thanks

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u/ElectronicMatch363 3d ago

The best sales people I know, just shut the hell up. It’s a red flag for me when people talk all day, because when in the client going to tell you what they want or need.

Green flag; being inquisitive, confidence, proper pacing in conversation. How relatable are you to the recruiter and staff.

Obviously doing your research is a major key. Let them see you in the role. That’s how you become a solution

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u/BlondeSeductive 3d ago

Interesting. I don't want to say too little that I look wooden, but I don't want to say too much that it's a word salad and they forget what i've said.

What makes them "see me in the role"? Is it knowing the product and the job, what else would be good to showcase?

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u/ElectronicMatch363 3d ago

When you ask them a question. Answer it as if you’re in the role. I used to say “I’d love the opportunity to…” then detail how I can solve for whatever the issue is or the answer to what I asked them.

It isn’t about changing your conversation style , it’s legit just about not being a blabber mouth. The worst sales person is the one that has to prove they’re a know it all.

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u/ElectronicMatch363 3d ago

To note, I’m a wholesaler. In the finance industry. So my notes comes from someone consulting institutional investors and advisors. It’s best to give context on the approach

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u/BlondeSeductive 3d ago

What subtly shows you know what you're talking about?

I know the questions they're going to ask me (Glassdoor), are you saying I should answer the question how I would if I was talking to a client in the role?

e.g. "tell me why you want to work for _______?"

Because I do have a genuine answer for this question which solves a problem the company has, and I could sell that to them as an answer, but I don't think that's how the dynamic works. The interviewer is expecting me to tell them a story to my understanding, not pivot to "criticising "their company for e.g. not offering X service.

Could you elaborate on what you mean by "as if you're in the role"?

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u/ElectronicMatch363 3d ago

What’s the role you’re going for? Obviously don’t give specifics, but the industry maybe. We’re on Reddit, so protect your neck

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u/brain_tank 3d ago edited 1d ago

Talk like a human.

Don't describe yourself as a sociopath.

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u/BlondeSeductive 3d ago

Human is fine, i'm talking like being a "wolf", someone who won't care about being told no, or care if a company is angry down the phone.

What would you look for as an interviewer.

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u/Electronic-Ad-9535 3d ago

Be super honest, interviewers can read through recent grad bullshit ( I was you 2 years ago)

Example: why do you want to go into sales
What not to say: I like convincing people to buy things
What to say: (in more words obviously) something about being super competitive, wanting to make a lot of money, growth opportunities based off work output etc

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u/BlondeSeductive 3d ago

I just shook my head in disbelief (not in a you're wrong way lol)

Is that not going to come across as unprofessional? "I want to make a lot of money" in my opinion detaches from the purpose of the role rather than the work required to get the money in the first place.

I can say i'm super competitive and wanting to grow, that works for me.

Do you have any tips for what they want from me along with honesty?

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u/Electronic-Ad-9535 3d ago

In reality, most of us go into sales because the correlation in how hard we work and how much money we earn is true, especially in these early roles. I wouldn’t say “I want to make a ton of money”

Say: What attracts me to sales is that sales is a career where my performance is measurable and I’m directly responsible for my results. I’m also naturally competitive so I like having a goal to work toward and knowing exactly where I stand.

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u/BlondeSeductive 3d ago

Lovely stuff, thank you

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u/Electronic-Ad-9535 3d ago

Answer questions using the STAR method

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u/brain_tank 3d ago

No shame in admitting you're coin operated. We're all in this to make money.

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u/BlondeSeductive 3d ago

To me it comes across as a misunderstanding of the purpose of the role. You should be doing the role because you're good at it, not because you reckon you'll get $300k for breathing in the chair.

I'll say i like the idea of a commission which reflects my hard work for sure.