Understanding what the sales recruitment process will be as you go through the application process will help you better understand what the recruiters are looking for and ensure that your skills, knowledge, and experience are communicated effectively and successfully.
Ultimately, this will be one of the most important ‘selling’ jobs you’ll ever have to do – you’re selling yourself, and this is your opportunity to showcase yourself.
Understanding the algorithms
These days the initial triage of applications is done through artificially intelligent software that seeks out a number of keywords that are relevant to the job title, the industry, the role you are applying for, and any necessary qualifications and experience. While no one is going to have a perfect score of ten out of ten, the more boxes your initial application can tick, the stronger your CV will stand out.
As part of the application, you may be requested to answer a few questions that place you in different scenarios and what your response would be. This is normally done in multiple-choice format, and correct answers would be put through to the next stage of the process.
Screening call
This next stage may be a screening call. If the role involves spending a lot of time on the phone, then it is important to demonstrate that you are indeed competent and confident on the phone. Every part of the process is an opportunity for you to shine and highlight why your particular skills are suitable for the job.
Face-to-face interview
Once you have got through these initial parts of the sales process, it is finally time to meet your potential employer face to face.
Make sure that you are prepared for some tough questions. You’ve still got some time to go before a final decision is reached, so you need to make sure that you continue to demonstrate your own features and benefits and how they will be able to respond to your future employer’s own particular needs. As well as ensuring that you are personable and approachable as a person, your interviewer will probably ask you some tough questions. These may include:
– How do you handle objections during a sales call?
– At what point do you accept that a no is a no and walk away?
– What do you NOT like about selling?
– What questions would you ask a prospective client during the qualifying process?
How to handle a rejection
As a salesperson, you know that sometimes a ‘no’ is actually a ‘not now’. This is the same during the recruitment process. If you get through to the interview stage and get rejected, don’t despair – it might just be that there is someone else in the process who is just that bit more suitable. Make sure that you acknowledge the rejection and keep in touch with the company – there may be other opportunities in the future.
Know your worth
However, now that you are in a position where you are being offered the position, now is the time to start to negotiate your salary. Make sure that you:
– Know your worth – do your research and know what the salary level is in similar roles in your industry.
– Relate it back to key achievements in the past, how you have built sales and contributed to the growth of other companies.
– If the offer is too low, be prepared to walk away.
– Take your time and be measured and calm – this is, after all, a negotiation process that you will be going through on behalf of the company itself. Your success here is a demonstration of your potential in the role.
Starting that new role is both exciting and nerve-racking. Don’t expect to perform miracles in your first week. Take your time and learn everything you possibly can during the first few weeks. Talk to all the different departments and start to build up your own relationships with key people who will be there to support you in the sales function. This will help to drive the energy and confidence to then make a real difference and prove to the company that they made the right choice in hiring you.
If you are searching for the perfect new sales roles, contact us for current vacancies.