First interview tommorow...
Discussion
I have my first proper job interview tommorow, it's for a technical sales apprenticeship. I'm not nervous at all is that strange?
Have prepared what I'm going to talk about to the typical questions.
I will talk about previous experience in sales such as a small eBay business I run and some work for the family company.
My strengths I will talk about will be : being a perfectionist, working well in groups and taking others advice and using my own initiative when working on my own. I will also talk about being flexible and able to work out of hours etc (job requires this).
If they ask I was going to state my main weakness as being a perfectionist cause although sometimes it helps it could also hinder some tasks when they need to be completed on a strict time scale, would this be a 'good' weakness?
Have researched into the company what they sell , how they have grown in the last few years etc.
I'm not sure whether to take a copy of qualifications with me as it was not stated on the email, should I bring a copy just in case?
Are there any typical interview questions when it comes to a job in sales?
Have prepared what I'm going to talk about to the typical questions.
I will talk about previous experience in sales such as a small eBay business I run and some work for the family company.
My strengths I will talk about will be : being a perfectionist, working well in groups and taking others advice and using my own initiative when working on my own. I will also talk about being flexible and able to work out of hours etc (job requires this).
If they ask I was going to state my main weakness as being a perfectionist cause although sometimes it helps it could also hinder some tasks when they need to be completed on a strict time scale, would this be a 'good' weakness?
Have researched into the company what they sell , how they have grown in the last few years etc.
I'm not sure whether to take a copy of qualifications with me as it was not stated on the email, should I bring a copy just in case?
Are there any typical interview questions when it comes to a job in sales?
TheCarFather said:
I have my first proper job interview tommorow, it's for a technical sales apprenticeship. I'm not nervous at all is that strange?
Have prepared what I'm going to talk about to the typical questions.
I will talk about previous experience in sales such as a small eBay business I run and some work for the family company.
My strengths I will talk about will be : being a perfectionist, working well in groups and taking others advice and using my own initiative when working on my own. I will also talk about being flexible and able to work out of hours etc (job requires this).
If they ask I was going to state my main weakness as being a perfectionist cause although sometimes it helps it could also hinder some tasks when they need to be completed on a strict time scale, would this be a 'good' weakness?
Have researched into the company what they sell , how they have grown in the last few years etc.
I'm not sure whether to take a copy of qualifications with me as it was not stated on the email, should I bring a copy just in case?
Are there any typical interview questions when it comes to a job in sales?
No, it's a copout and one that is as old as the hills.Have prepared what I'm going to talk about to the typical questions.
I will talk about previous experience in sales such as a small eBay business I run and some work for the family company.
My strengths I will talk about will be : being a perfectionist, working well in groups and taking others advice and using my own initiative when working on my own. I will also talk about being flexible and able to work out of hours etc (job requires this).
If they ask I was going to state my main weakness as being a perfectionist cause although sometimes it helps it could also hinder some tasks when they need to be completed on a strict time scale, would this be a 'good' weakness?
Have researched into the company what they sell , how they have grown in the last few years etc.
I'm not sure whether to take a copy of qualifications with me as it was not stated on the email, should I bring a copy just in case?
Are there any typical interview questions when it comes to a job in sales?
Be honest about your weaknesses, they'll respect that far more than you trying to twist it into a plus point.
Make sure you're healthy....
I had a second one this morning - got me a stomach bug and ruined their toilet
Heard the receptionist spraying the place (only small office) when I was in the room, not a good feeling as I really wanted that job
Did say I wasn't feeling too well at the end though...
Got another to get through this afternoon and all!
But at the level of job you're applying for they'll look for you being yourself, personality fit as they can provide training to mould you into what they want...
Just give it your best shot!
I had a second one this morning - got me a stomach bug and ruined their toilet
Heard the receptionist spraying the place (only small office) when I was in the room, not a good feeling as I really wanted that job
Did say I wasn't feeling too well at the end though...
Got another to get through this afternoon and all!
But at the level of job you're applying for they'll look for you being yourself, personality fit as they can provide training to mould you into what they want...
Just give it your best shot!
Edited by kiethton on Monday 7th April 14:14
TheCarFather said:
Thanks for the feedback, thought that weakness may sound a bit suspect. Should a CV and supporting paperwork be brought to the interview then? I have previously sent them it before so wasn't sure if it would be needed again
Yes a copy of your CV, you need to make sure your answers match the ones on your CV it gives you something to refer to yourself and helps them navigate if the answer to something is on the other page.Once you have all your questions and answers sorted out, my best advice would be to relax and if possible exude a little charm or banter. My second interview for my current job, my MD made a point that they're not necessarily looking for someone who can do the job really well off the bat, but also someone who will fit in well with the team. Try your best to come across as friendly and relaxed, they're heard all the normal spiel before.
Take everything you might need with you. Put your CV on the table when you've walked in, preferably with some questions you want to ask pre-written on a sheet of paper, and perhaps a couple of print outs from their website or companies house to make it obvious you've done your homework.
On weaknesses, pick out a realistic one that might be an obvious from glancing at your CV, such as lack of experience, and spin it to being a positive. It will show you're not afraid to talk about difficult subjects and can show things in a positive light. After your explanation, ask them if they're happy with what you've said.
On weaknesses, pick out a realistic one that might be an obvious from glancing at your CV, such as lack of experience, and spin it to being a positive. It will show you're not afraid to talk about difficult subjects and can show things in a positive light. After your explanation, ask them if they're happy with what you've said.
Just remember to ensure your response to every question touches on one or more, ideally all 3 of the following:
1) Does he want the job
2) Can he do the job
3) Will he fit in
Prepare answers to the following questions remembering the points above:
Why do you want to work here?
What's your greatest weakness?
Where do you want to be in 5 years?
Tell me about a time you had to deal with conflict?
Let us know how it goes?
Good luck!
1) Does he want the job
2) Can he do the job
3) Will he fit in
Prepare answers to the following questions remembering the points above:
Why do you want to work here?
What's your greatest weakness?
Where do you want to be in 5 years?
Tell me about a time you had to deal with conflict?
Let us know how it goes?
Good luck!
Thanks everybody! Have scrapped the perfectionist weakness and gone for a lack of experience in a role similar, I think this will be understandable since it's an apprenticeship I don't think they'd expect me to have done it all before.
Have prepared all documents, will let you know how I get on, worst thing that can happen is I don't get the job but have interview experience, which will be a better position than I'm in now!
Have prepared all documents, will let you know how I get on, worst thing that can happen is I don't get the job but have interview experience, which will be a better position than I'm in now!
When I have been asked the weaknesses question I have always gone for something honest, and then explained how I overcome them. They'll know straight away if you are making it up to sound clever.
Mine generally something about prioritising tasks, and I talk through the systems/approaches I use to ensure that tasks are prioritised correctly. Not failed me so far.
Mine generally something about prioritising tasks, and I talk through the systems/approaches I use to ensure that tasks are prioritised correctly. Not failed me so far.
Engineer1 said:
the perfectionist line is a BS one they have heard before, and needs your CV and supporting paperwork to be spot on.
Good luck.
Being a perfectionist can be a real issue, but you need to justify why you think this, and what you do to allow for it. I think employers will think more of you if you can identify your weaknesses and more importantly what you do to allow for it to reach an effective outcome. Just saying you are a perfectionist won't get you anywhere though, the real issue is how you deal with it.Good luck.
Thanks for all the advice guys.
It went really well actually but the questions were nothing that id prepared for so had to think up things on the spot.
Completely random questions to do with the company and how id approach each situation. The last question to wrap up the I interview was what animal I'd be, I said a chameleon cause id adapt to different situations, I think that got me a few brownie points.
It must've gone well because they said they don't normally say during the interview but that id been invited to the next stage where I would be asked to do a presentation the other side of the country to 3 sales executives.
I should be happy with it but I just feel I could've done better and after the interview I've realised if I'm honest it's not something i have a passion about, although the pay is amazing and is twice what the average car sales apprenticeship offers I can't help thinking id prefer that. Decisions decisions...
It went really well actually but the questions were nothing that id prepared for so had to think up things on the spot.
Completely random questions to do with the company and how id approach each situation. The last question to wrap up the I interview was what animal I'd be, I said a chameleon cause id adapt to different situations, I think that got me a few brownie points.
It must've gone well because they said they don't normally say during the interview but that id been invited to the next stage where I would be asked to do a presentation the other side of the country to 3 sales executives.
I should be happy with it but I just feel I could've done better and after the interview I've realised if I'm honest it's not something i have a passion about, although the pay is amazing and is twice what the average car sales apprenticeship offers I can't help thinking id prefer that. Decisions decisions...
TheCarFather said:
Thanks for all the advice guys.
It went really well actually but the questions were nothing that id prepared for so had to think up things on the spot.
Completely random questions to do with the company and how id approach each situation. The last question to wrap up the I interview was what animal I'd be, I said a chameleon cause id adapt to different situations, I think that got me a few brownie points.
It must've gone well because they said they don't normally say during the interview but that id been invited to the next stage where I would be asked to do a presentation the other side of the country to 3 sales executives.
I should be happy with it but I just feel I could've done better and after the interview I've realised if I'm honest it's not something i have a passion about, although the pay is amazing and is twice what the average car sales apprenticeship offers I can't help thinking id prefer that. Decisions decisions...
The animal question would worry me, but glad to hear it went well - hope you're successful.It went really well actually but the questions were nothing that id prepared for so had to think up things on the spot.
Completely random questions to do with the company and how id approach each situation. The last question to wrap up the I interview was what animal I'd be, I said a chameleon cause id adapt to different situations, I think that got me a few brownie points.
It must've gone well because they said they don't normally say during the interview but that id been invited to the next stage where I would be asked to do a presentation the other side of the country to 3 sales executives.
I should be happy with it but I just feel I could've done better and after the interview I've realised if I'm honest it's not something i have a passion about, although the pay is amazing and is twice what the average car sales apprenticeship offers I can't help thinking id prefer that. Decisions decisions...
iphonedyou said:
The animal question would worry me, but glad to hear it went well - hope you're successful.
Not necessarily, if sales based they would look for somebody that's quicker on their feet and not shy to answer a stupid question...I had "sell me this pen" in one interview...
kiethton said:
Not necessarily, if sales based they would look for somebody that's quicker on their feet and not shy to answer a stupid question...
I had "sell me this pen" in one interview...
So did I. It was, by some margin, the worst job I've ever had. But that was prior to beginning my professional career, so to speak.I had "sell me this pen" in one interview...
iphonedyou said:
kiethton said:
Not necessarily, if sales based they would look for somebody that's quicker on their feet and not shy to answer a stupid question...
I had "sell me this pen" in one interview...
So did I. It was, by some margin, the worst job I've ever had. But that was prior to beginning my professional career, so to speak.I had "sell me this pen" in one interview...
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