OT: Sales Interview

[bwub60]

I'm currently a Coach/Teacher in the Beaumont Area. I'm trying to get into Sales and looking to relocate. I worked in sales while in college and was pretty successful. Coaching is great but I just do not see myself as an educator for the rest of my life.

I have an interview at Coke and one for a Marketing firm called Connect. I am looking for tips to help me out. I also hear there might be a sales role play at the end of the interview. Any help would be nice.

 

[riloh05]

was a coach, got into sales 8/9 years ago. you will kick all sorts of ass. if you would like you can email me at riloh05@gmail.com.

 

[monarch]

I'm currently a Coach/Teacher in the Beaumont Area. I'm trying to get into Sales and looking to relocate. I worked in sales while in college and was pretty successful. Coaching is great but I just do not see myself as an educator for the rest of my life.
I have an interview at Coke and one for a Marketing firm called Connect. I am looking for tips to help me out. I also hear there might be a sales role play at the end of the interview. Any help would be nice.

...i do not have this form of experience (oil & gas / government contractor) however, i certainly wish you the best upon your interview. carpe diem!...

 

[GetHooked]

Always Be Closing.

 

[RunningHorn]

In short, identify buyer's problem and share how your product/solution solves that problem.

 

[txscallywag]

RunningHorn hit the nail on the head. Research your product from head to toe. You need to know everything there is to know about your product. And be creative, think outside the box in terms of of your product offers.

 

[Texas Homer]

The role play with coke is you have to sale energy drinks to a mom and pop store who doesnt carry them. They will give you details about what you can offer and about ten minutes to prepare. Be confident and friendly and show that your approachable and listen to customers. Best advice I can give is be yourself and remain calm and collected...good luck my friend!

 

[theknighttrain]

You have to sell education to your students and parents, shouldn't be that difficult to convey in interviews.

Good luck sir!

 

[Bevo11]

I'm currently a Coach/Teacher in the Beaumont Area. I'm trying to get into Sales and looking to relocate. I worked in sales while in college and was pretty successful. Coaching is great but I just do not see myself as an educator for the rest of my life.
I have an interview at Coke and one for a Marketing firm called Connect. I am looking for tips to help me out. I also hear there might be a sales role play at the end of the interview. Any help would be nice.

One of my best friends (used to work for me) just left Coke. He was a VP. My son graduated two years ago from college and went to work for Coke right out of school in sales. Loves Coke. Was promoted last May to operations. I spent 30 years in the beverage industry and the last 7 of my career as a VP in the food industry. Here is my advice and some of what my pal told my son:

Prepare for the interviews. Thoroughly. Go to retail stores and talk to the grocery manager (HEB, Wal-Mart, etc). Make a list of questions. Tell them you are interviewing with Coke sales. Ask what they do well, what needs to improve, what could you do that clearly exceeds their expectations if you were calling on them. Get their name and store number or address. Make notes. Read everything about your companies you interview with. Have questions for the folks you interview with. Prepare a short presentation on your store visits. Tell them the good and bad you heard. Tell them how you can help.

Lastly, at the end of the interviews, ask each person this:

If I were hired into this job, and at the end of the first year I had clearly exceeded your expectations, what is it I would have accomplished?

This tells them you plan to far exceed their expectations and tells you what that takes in each persons eyes. Take notes and when you write your follow up letters/ emails, repeat those thing briefly to them.

If I can help you in any way, let me know. I have hired many people at all levels and even done some executive placement since I retired. I' m cheap: free.

 

[Baghorn]

One of my best friends (used to work for me) just left Coke. He was a VP. My son graduated two years ago from college and went to work for Coke right out of school in sales. Loves Coke. Was promoted last May to operations. I spent 30 years in the beverage industry and the last 7 of my career as a VP in the food industry. Here is my advice and some of what my pal told my son:
Prepare for the interviews. Thoroughly. Go to retail stores and talk to the grocery manager (HEB, Wal-Mart, etc). Make a list of questions. Tell them you are interviewing with Coke sales. Ask what they do well, what needs to improve, what could you do that clearly exceeds their expectations if you were calling on them. Get their name and store number or address. Make notes. Read everything about your companies you interview with. Have questions for the folks you interview with. Prepare a short presentation on your store visits. Tell them the good and bad you heard. Tell them how you can help.

Lastly, at the end of the interviews, ask each person this:

If I were hired into this job, and at the end of the first year I had clearly exceeded your expectations, what is it I would have accomplished?

This tells them you plan to far exceed their expectations and tells you what that takes in each persons eyes. Take notes and when you write your follow up letters/ emails, repeat those thing briefly to them.

If I can help you in any way, let me know. I have hired many people at all levels and even done some executive placement since I retired. I' m cheap: free.

Listen to this man and take advantage of his very generous offer.

 

[Lord Vader]

Bottomline, the only "salesman" that every got my attention was a woman who came to the door hawking ATT. She didnt waste time, cut right to the chase and had me listening before Id realized I forgot to tell them I was dead and come back later.

In short, be confident, but being a coach, I am sure you are.

 

[bwub60]

Thanks everyone for the advice. Bevo11 I sent you an PM.

 

[Bandit]

Bottomline, the only "salesman" that every got my attention was a woman who came to the door hawking ATT. She didnt waste time, cut right to the chase and had me listening before Id realized I forgot to tell them I was dead and come back later.
In short, be confident, but being a coach, I am sure you are.

She was hot, wasn't she???

 

[DMV Horn]

Listen to this man and take advantage of his very generous offer.

Seconded! Free is GOOD!

 

[Bevo11]

Thanks everyone for the advice. Bevo11 I sent you an PM.

Got it. PM'd you back.

 

[Jyoung185]

Close every interview. I will say it again... CLOSE EVERY INTERVIEW. End interviews by asking "do you have any concerns about hiring me" if they say yes address those, if they don't then use that opportunity to close the sell. I will never and I mean never, hire a sales person who doesn't close the sell at the end of the interview.

Also prepare to sell anything and sell through asking questions. For example in interviews I will ask "sell me this pen". Don't jump in by telling me why I should buy pen. If I was interviewing you, your interview would be over at that point. Begin by asking questions to determine what I need, then after fully understanding my needs, tell me how that pen fits all my needs. Practice this with many different things.

But most importantly, close every interview. I can't say this enough.

 

[Thiggystyle]

One of my best friends (used to work for me) just left Coke. He was a VP. My son graduated two years ago from college and went to work for Coke right out of school in sales. Loves Coke. Was promoted last May to operations. I spent 30 years in the beverage industry and the last 7 of my career as a VP in the food industry. Here is my advice and some of what my pal told my son:
Prepare for the interviews. Thoroughly. Go to retail stores and talk to the grocery manager (HEB, Wal-Mart, etc). Make a list of questions. Tell them you are interviewing with Coke sales. Ask what they do well, what needs to improve, what could you do that clearly exceeds their expectations if you were calling on them. Get their name and store number or address. Make notes. Read everything about your companies you interview with. Have questions for the folks you interview with. Prepare a short presentation on your store visits. Tell them the good and bad you heard. Tell them how you can help.

Lastly, at the end of the interviews, ask each person this:

If I were hired into this job, and at the end of the first year I had clearly exceeded your expectations, what is it I would have accomplished?

This tells them you plan to far exceed their expectations and tells you what that takes in each persons eyes. Take notes and when you write your follow up letters/ emails, repeat those thing briefly to them.

If I can help you in any way, let me know. I have hired many people at all levels and even done some executive placement since I retired. I' m cheap: free.

I've been selling IT to the federal government for 12 years and this is beyond solid advice. It was a good move on your part to leverage this forum and community - now follow through and treat the interview process like the job you're seeking. You should also think about why you want to work for Coke as opposed to Dr. Pepper or PepsiCo, what excites you about the company (longevity, stability, brand recognition, ect.) Lastly, you might also think about where you envision the job taking you from a career perspective. Letting them know that you intend to be with the company for a long time instead of a 2-3 year stint shows your commitment as well.

 

[Bevo11]

Close every interview. I will say it again... CLOSE EVERY INTERVIEW. End interviews by asking "do you have any concerns about hiring me" if they say yes address those, if they don't then use that opportunity to close the sell. I will never and I mean never, hire a sales person who doesn't close the sell at the end of the interview.
Also prepare to sell anything and sell through asking questions. For example in interviews I will ask "sell me this pen". Don't jump in by telling me why I should buy pen. If I was interviewing you, your interview would be over at that point. Begin by asking questions to determine what I need, then after fully understanding my needs, tell me how that pen fits all my needs. Practice this with many different things.

But most importantly, close every interview. I can't say this enough.

GREAT advice. Well done.

 

[Bevo11]

I've been selling IT to the federal government for 12 years and this is beyond solid advice. It was a good move on your part to leverage this forum and community - now follow through and treat the interview process like the job you're seeking. You should also think about why you want to work for Coke as opposed to Dr. Pepper or PepsiCo, what excites you about the company (longevity, stability, brand recognition, ect.) Lastly, you might also think about where you envision the job taking you from a career perspective. Letting them know that you intend to be with the company for a long time instead of a 2-3 year stint shows your commitment as well.

Spot on!