
We're giving it all away! Our team leaders here at GRS Recruiting have collectively updated the information we give our candidates to prep for their high stakes interviews (and their low-key conversations) and we're sharing it with you below. Parts of our guide are specifically geared toward sales professionals, but you can easily adapt the tips to your specialty area.
Whether it's your first interview in 20 years, or your tenth interview in two months, this guide is designed to help you anticipate and ace your interview.
Here's what we're going to cover:
Research and Preparation
Questions the Hiring Company May Ask You
Questions You (the Candidate) Should Ask
Practical Tips for an In-Person Interview
Preparing for a Video Interview
Closing Thoughts
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1. Research and Preparation
Research the Company
Understand the company’s products/services, target market, and competitors.
Familiarize yourself with the company’s mission, values, and recent news or achievements.
Go to LinkedIN and find any recent posts by the company.
Search your browser for any recent press releases or news articles about the company.
Know the Job Description
Review the job description thoroughly to understand the key responsibilities and required skills.
Highlight the specific qualifications and experiences from your background that align with the role.
Understand Your Own Experience
Reflect on your past experiences and be ready to discuss specific achievements.
Prepare examples of how you’ve met or exceeded expectations in previous roles.
Be ready to talk about your processes and strategies that led to your successes.
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2. Questions the Hiring Company May Ask
Assessing Skills and Experience
Tell me about your work experience.
Highlight your relevant experiences and achievements.
How do you approach new challenges or tasks?
Discuss your strategy for tackling new assignments and overcoming obstacles.
What was your most significant achievement in your last role?
Provide a specific example, including metrics or outcomes if applicable.
How do you handle objections or conflicts?
Describe your techniques for addressing and resolving objections or conflicts.
Can you walk me through your typical process for completing a task/project?
Explain your approach from start to finish.
How do you stay motivated during challenging times?
Share your strategies for maintaining motivation and productivity.
Describe a time when you faced a significant challenge. What did you learn from it?
Talk about a specific instance, what went wrong, and what you learned.
How do you prioritize your tasks and manage your time?
Explain your method for managing time and prioritizing tasks.
Assessing Sales Skills and Experience
Tell me about your sales experience.
Highlight your relevant experiences and achievements.
How do you approach a new sales territory?
Discuss your strategy for researching, targeting, and closing new accounts.
What was your most significant sales achievement in your last role?
Provide a specific example, including metrics or outcomes.
How do you handle objections from clients?
Describe your techniques for addressing and overcoming objections.
Can you walk me through your sales process?
Explain your approach from prospecting to closing the deal.
How do you stay motivated during challenging times?
Share your strategies for maintaining motivation and productivity.
Describe a time when you lost a sale. What did you learn from it?
Talk about a specific instance, what went wrong, and what you learned.
How do you prioritize your sales activities?
Explain your method for managing time and prioritizing tasks.
Assessing Cultural Fit and Soft Skills
How do you build relationships with colleagues and clients?
Discuss your approach to developing and maintaining professional relationships.
Describe a time when you worked as part of a team.
Provide an example of your teamwork and collaboration skills.
How do you handle feedback and criticism?
Share your approach to receiving and implementing feedback.
What motivates you in your work?
Talk about your intrinsic and extrinsic motivators.
How do you handle stress and pressure?
Describe your techniques for managing stress in a high-pressure environment.
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3. Questions You (the Candidate) Should Ask
Understanding Company Culture
Can you describe the company culture?
Get a sense of the work environment and values.
What are the team dynamics like?
Understand how team members interact and collaborate.
How does the company support professional development and growth?
Learn about opportunities for training and advancement.
What are the company’s core values?
See if your values align with those of the company.
How does the company handle work-life balance?
Get insight into the company’s stance on work hours and flexibility.
Understanding the Job Role
What does a typical day look like for someone in this role?
Understand daily tasks and responsibilities.
What are the key performance metrics for this position?
Learn how your success will be measured.
Can you tell me about the team I’ll be working with?
Get information about potential colleagues and their roles.
What are the main challenges someone in this role might face?
Prepare for potential difficulties and obstacles.
How does the onboarding process work?
Understand the support and training provided to new hires.
What are the opportunities for growth and advancement in this role?
Learn about potential career paths within the company.
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4. Practical Tips for In-Person Interview
Practice (Mock Interview): Reach out to a friend of mentor to conduct a mock interview and/or record yourself answering common questions to review your responses and body language.
Know where you’re going: Research the address of your appointment and make sure you allow yourself enough time to arrive at least 10 minutes prior to your scheduled time; 20 minutes if it’s a large facility- allow extra time to walk from designated parking to the entrance.
Dress appropriately: Align your attire with the company’s culture. If you don’t know what’s most appropriate, ask your recruiter or contact the company’s administrator for advice.
Demonstrate positivity and professionalism from the moment you walk in the door: Be friendly to the person who greets you at the door. If you’re sitting in a waiting room, review your resume instead of your phone.
Bring additional copies of your resume: Have multiple copies ready for the interviewers.
Practice active listening: Ensure you understand the questions and respond thoughtfully.
Be honest: Authenticity can set you apart from other candidates.
Follow up: Send a thank-you email to express your appreciation for the opportunity.
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5. Preparing for a Video Interview
Technical Preparation
Test Your Equipment
Ensure your computer, camera, and microphone are working properly.
Test your internet connection to avoid interruptions.
Use headphones to avoid echo and improve sound quality.
Familiarize Yourself with the Platform:
Know which video conferencing tool will be used (e.g., Zoom, Skype, Microsoft Teams).
Download and install the necessary software ahead of time.
Test the platform to understand its features, such as screen sharing or muting/unmuting.
Environment Setup
Choose a Quiet Location
Find a quiet place where you won’t be disturbed by background noise or interruptions.
Inform family members or housemates about the interview time to minimize disruptions.
Check Your Background
Ensure your background is clean and professional. A plain wall or tidy office setup works best.
Remove any personal items or distractions from the camera's view.
Lighting
Position yourself facing a light source, such as a window or lamp, to ensure your face is well-lit.
Avoid sitting with a bright light or window behind you, as it can cause shadows.
Handling Technical Issues
Have a Backup Plan:
Ensure you have the interviewer’s contact information in case of technical difficulties.
Be prepared to switch to a phone call if video issues cannot be resolved.
Stay Calm:
If technical issues arise, stay calm and politely inform the interviewer.
Apologize for the inconvenience and work to resolve the issue quickly.
Personal Presentation
Dress Professionally:
Dress as you would for an in-person interview. Professional attire helps set the right tone.
Avoid overly bright colors or patterns that can be distracting on camera.
Body Language:
Maintain good posture and sit up straight.
Make eye contact by looking at the camera, not the screen.
Use natural hand gestures but avoid excessive movements.
Engage in active listening:
Ensure you understand the questions and respond thoughtfully.
Be honest:
Authenticity can set you apart from other candidates.
Follow up:
Send a thank-you email to express your appreciation for the opportunity.
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6. Closing Thoughts
By following the steps above, you'll be well-prepared to handle any interview confidently and professionally, ensuring that you make a great impression regardless of the format!
Did we miss anything? Please message me at blee@grsrecruiting.com with your tips and I'll share the suggestions with the team!
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Betsy Lee is the Director of Marketing for GRS Recruiting. She has over 12 years of experience working directly in the recruitment industry, developing marketing strategies that attract top talent and equipping recruiters with the tools and training they need to succeed. A small-business advocate, she loves helping companies grow and take their teams to the next level. Connect with Betsy on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/betsyroselee/
Betsy writes about #recruiting #sales #industrialsales #executiverecruitment #smallbusiness
#professionalgrowth #highperformanceteams and more.
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