You’re a natural salesperson with extensive experience in the industry. So why is it so hard to sell yourself during the job search process?
It’s ok if self-promotion doesn’t come easily to you. But have no fear. As one of Kansas City’s top employment agencies for sales professionals, Morgan Hunter knows if you want to effectively sell yourself to a potential employer, it’s as simple as getting back to sales basics. That means don’t focus so much on your skills. Instead, focus on how your skills will benefit the organization.
Here are 7 ways to do it:
#1: Identify your core strengths.
Start by evaluating your personal qualities, skills, and abilities that are most relevant to the position. While some sales positions require a salesperson who’s excellent at persuading internal stakeholders, others demand the ability to analyze statistics. When assessing yourself, be completely honest and objective so you can focus on what a prospective employer will be most interested in.
#2: Translate strengths into results.
Once you know the core strengths you’ll be focusing on, think about specific accomplishments and results to back up those strengths. Come up with three or four examples to talk about on your resume or during the interview that best support the needs and requirements for a particular job.
#3: Tell a story.
Don’t just talk dry numbers and statistics, though. Be prepared to tell a memorable story. Take the hiring manager through the challenges of each situation, your unique sales approach, why you chose that strategy, and measurable outcomes you achieved.
#4: Do your homework before every interview.
You might be used to standing in front of a group of people delivering a pitch. But don’t walk into an interview without doing your homework. Make sure you research the company ahead of time and have a solid understanding of who they are and what they do. This is a surefire way to demonstrate your strong interest in the sales job – and also impress a potential new boss.
#5: Practice your answers.
No matter how many times you’ve been in the hot seat during a sale, interview questions can still take even the most seasoned sales veteran by surprise. Questions like “what motivates you to sell?” and “tell me about your sales background” sound simple enough. But they can be a stumbling block for many candidates.
That’s why it’s important to prepare good answers ahead of time and tie in relevant work examples that further showcase your sales skills. It’s also important to be able to talk about what you’ll be able to do if you get the job, including your sales strategy and time period for achieving sales goals.
#6: Ask your own questions during an interview.
An important part of selling is asking questions and listening. Showcase your ability to do both by asking questions such as “What are you looking for in a sales professional?” and “What’s the biggest challenge your current sale team faces?”
#7: Close the deal.
Be confident and enthusiastic during the interview process. And when it comes time to end the conversation, once again express your interest and ask about specific next steps in the process.
Need more help closing the deal on a new sales job in Kansas City?
Call the experts at Morgan Hunter. As one of Kansas City’s top employment agencies for sales professionals, we can help you uncover exciting and rewarding job opportunities, so you can land your dream sales job. Contact us today, or search our Kansas City sales jobs now.