Successful Sales Interviews:
Many well qualified and extremely able candidates fail
at job interviews simply because they are unaware of the
conventions of the job interview and the expectations of
the interviewer.
Successful candidates, on the other hand, manage to
impress prospective employers precisely because they
know how to present themselves.
Thus, they study the job advertisement; they analyse
what is required in the way of skills qualifications and
experience; they assess their own suitability for the
job; and finally, they present themselves in a
thoughtful and carefully prepared manner.
Their written applications are comprehensive and
business-like, containing all the relevant information
presented neatly and concisely. They prepare themselves
carefully for interview, anticipating likely questions
and rehearsing their responses. They study the structure
of the interview and devise a strategy to satisfy the
interviewer's requirements. In short, they prepare
themselves to succeed.
Let us begin by giving some general advice to candidates
who are considering the daunting prospect of an
interview.
As a candidate you should be able to express yourself
with clarity and precision. To do this you must make
adequate preparation, anticipating likely questions and
rehearsing your responses. Your answers should appear
spontaneous. At the same time, you should come across as
thoughtful, articulate and coherent. So preparation is
essential.
During the interview you should speak confidently,
making sure to support your answers with relevant
examples from your work experience. It is up to you
during the course of the interview to acquaint the
interviewer with whatever information you consider to be
important in advancing
your claims to the job on offer.
Always relate your answers to the job for which you are
applying. This is particularly important in the case of
candidates who are faced with the sort of indirect
questions favoured by many interviewers. For example,
the interviewer may ask you to describe your current
job. This is an indirect way of asking you to what
extent your present skills and experience relate to the
job for which you are applying.
Always present a positive face. Having studied your
application form, interviewers will have identified the
weaker aspects of your case. So it is in your own best
interests to examine your application critically with a
view to identifying any significant weaknesses or
negative aspects. Prepare positive and convincing
explanations of any shortcomings;
and emphasise what you have done or are doing to rectify
matters.
Since interviewers are looking for candidates who
display a positive attitude, you should state and supply
evidence that you enjoy your job; that you are
enthusiastic and ambitious; and that you welcome
challenge.
It is important to tell the truth in interviews.
However, try to present the facts as persuasively as you
can. So examine and assess your own case and tailor the
facts to create the best and most positive impression.
It is essential to develop a rapport with the
interviewer right from the start. If you can give the
impression that you have a lot in common with the
interviewer and if he or takes a liking to you, you will
greatly improve your chances of success.
Interviewers usually place a greater emphasis on
practical experience than on paper qualifications, so it
is up to you to convince them that your experience
qualifies you for the job on offer. This will involve
using your experience as evidence to support statements
that you make in answers to questions.
Article Kindly Supplied By Assignments
Plus Publications.
