by Heather Johnson

This post was contributed by Heather Johnson, who writes on the subject of human resource manager. She invites your feedback at heatherjohnson2323 at gmail dot com.

We’ve all heard the cliché of how the mark of a great salesman is being able to sell an igloo to an Eskimo, but in my book, a really good salesman should be adept in the art of selling himself first, to any organization that he desires to work with. A job in sales is often more challenging than those in other disciplines, because it involves knowing customers’ mindsets and acting accordingly. Here’s how a salesperson can apply his/her inherent skills in securing the position he/she wants:

• Preparation is the key to any interview, and this aspect cannot be more emphasized than when seeking a position on the sales force of an organization. Let your higher-ups see that you’re a meticulous person who does his/her research before any venture, be it attending an interview or making a sale. Show that you’ve done your homework and are familiar with the company and its goals.
• Make sure your resume is updated and precise. If you’re seeking a job in the medical sales sector, include your experience in said field as the most important part of your resume. Employers are looking for specific skills rather than general ones.
• Put across your achievements, both in sales and in other aspects, without coming across as a bombastic braggart. As in any interview, wait till you’re asked to talk about yourself before you begin to unfold your life story.
• In case you’re rejected in the early stages, show some persistence if the reason for refusal is not strong enough. Most employers will appreciate the ability of salespeople to be persistent without becoming annoying.
• Show willingness to work hard for the compensation you’re going to receive. If that means taking on the position at a low salary with incentives from commissions, nod in agreement since a good salesperson must be sure of his/her ability to be able to sell anything.
• Take time to listen to what your interviewers are saying; a good salesperson is basically a good listener who understands what his customers want and describes the product or service in such as way as to make them believe that it is indeed suited to their needs. Use these skills to make your prospective employers believe that you are the right person for the job.
• Show confidence in your ability but restrain yourself so that you don’t come across as being over-confident in securing the job.
• Ask questions that you think are pertinent, to both the job and the way you are supposed to do it.
• A good salesperson is articulate, so don’t stammer and stutter in your responses. Take time to compose yourself before you reply if you’re nervous.
• Even if you know that the interview has not gone well and that you’re unlikely to be hired, stay positive and be polite. A good salesperson is never abusive or withdrawn if a sales pitch fails.

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