Job Search Tips for Sales Professionals


Sales pros

Each industry has a variety of specific requirements that an employee has to meet, and while a professional sales person may not always be considered an “employee,” depending on the company or organization with which s/he is associated, there are industry-specific requirements which they must meet also.

That having been said, sales professionals in search of positions in their industry of choice must always be as prepared as possible in such a competitive environment as professional sales. So, to assist you in preparing for a highly sought-after and rewarding position – including a confident and effective interview – the information provided on this page might be of some value.

Research

In order to be prepared on your interview, you should learn important facts about the company beforehand.

  • The internet is one of the best ways to search for information; and most companies provide their own informational websites. Study the content of the company’s website; know their histories, goals, and information about the top executives.
  • By using search engines on the Internet, you could also obtain news about such things as progress the company has made, its past projects and issues, and organizations in which it has a membership, or to which it makes regular contributions.
  • Review the stock market chart of the company. Since majority of shares are publicly traded, you could examine recent stock prices and learn its successes and difficulties of its market performances over the past years. Knowing the strengths and weaknesses of a company will help you in the interview.
  • Get as much information as possible about its competitors. When you read articles about the market space, you will find out who are the leaders in that particular market and you will then find that company’s competitors. Having this knowledge could help you during the interview since you will be able to intelligently discuss why that company is better (more appealing?) than its competitors.

Attitude

Having the right attitude towards the interview and the job itself would go a long way in ensuring the position is yours.

  • Majority of successful sales professionals have a unique energy that you can feel. They command a presence and has the unique ability to hold an audience’s attention. Be energetic about the job and interview.
  • Be enthusiastic also, since it is said that enthusiasm is contagious. Because you have done your research about the company and its competitors, those tasked with interviewing you will appreciate your enthusiasm and interest about the position.

Preparation

The position you desire could be yours as long as you show up prepared.

  • Create a presentation by researching the products and services of the company. Be prepared to speak directly and intelligently about the company’s products/services, activities, industry and leadership.
  • Provide statistics and industry related facts in your presentation. This goes to show that, not only are you enthusiastic about the job, but you are also aware of the industry as a whole.
  • An undeniable fact about a position or career in sales is that, it is numbers-oriented. If you are asked about your ability to deal with numbers, simply provide them with production reports, past employment lists or a W-2 form of your yearly earnings.

By successfully performing these basic steps, your coveted sales job could be yours in just a handshake a broad smile and reassuringly confident attitude.

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Seven Basic Salary Negotiation Tips


Money is the most sensitive issue in the whole hiring process. Discussing the compensation often causes anxiety on both employee and employer. So with that in mind we have provided in the following paragraphs, a few steps a job seeker can take to make the process of salary negotiating smoother and more efficient.

Do research – value skills

Research – Before the interview process begins, contact the professional organization that represents your field of career. As soon as they provide you with your salary information, you can now examine your monthly cash requirements. Remember that once your taxes are added to your paycheck, approximately 30% of your gross monthly salary is deducted.

Determine your skills – You should understand that different segments of the economy require a variety of skills depending on the industry setting. Once you have established what your skills are and what they are worth to the current employment market, you would know the limitations of your negotiation.

Salary range information is available at American Almanac of Jobs and Salaries, National Association of College and Employers, Career Center, and professionals in your related field.

In stating your salary range, avoid basing your desired salary on your current salary. Always tell the truth when it comes to your past salary. It is acceptable to extend a range to approximately $6,000 to show that you are within the company’s price range but interested in more compensation.

Sell yourself

Weigh the company’s compensation package – To determine your fair market value for a specific job, you should consider the economic, geographic, and industry factors of the job offer. Weigh the benefits of compensation and promotions, insurance, allowed time off and retirement settlements of the offer to ensure a fair proposed salary.

Sell yourself – If you know what you could offer the company requires a larger income, never say it directly. Once you sell yourself discreetly, the interviewer would understand that the proposed salary is not appropriate for your background.

Attitude counts

Have a positive attitude – In negotiating, never compete. Negotiation is basically a process which could benefit both parties. Understand your needs and those of the company.

The final offer – Be aware when the negotiation is done. Pushing further when a deal has been set could give a negative first impression on your part.

Show what you are made of – The interview is only the first step in having an enhanced compensation. Once you are hired, offer your skills to the company and prove your worth by doing quality work. You may even get a promotion for doing so.

Based from a survey conducted by the Society for Human Resource Management, four out of five employees are willing to negotiate compensation. Understanding these basic tips will allow you to enhance the terms of your new job.