WHY DO YOU WANT TO WORK IN SALES? TOP TIPS TO ANSWER THIS INTERVIEW QUESTION

Your potential employer wants to feel confident that you have the motivation to develop your sales career whilst positively representing the company and brand, so they may ask you something along the lines of: “why do you want to work in the sales industry?”

Here are some ideas to help you answer the question honestly, efficiently and impressively.

“A CAREER IN SALES SUITS MY…”

When talking why you’d like to work in sales, it’s great to start by focusing on specific soft skills you’ve gained that are essential for success in sales. For example, highlight your:

• Relationship building and how you thrive on connecting with people, understanding their needs and finding solutions to meet their goals
• Negotiation skills and that you enjoy the challenge of persuading people and adapting your points depending on the person/ circumstance
• Time management and how you can effectively organise your day

All of these skills are of true value to the sales industry but neither of them require you to have worked in sales in order to have experienced it in another position. This means you can talk with authenticity, whilst showing you understand what’s necessary to succeed.

MENTION A PERSONALITY TRAIT THAT SUITS SALES

Another way to speak about your interest in sales, specifically if you have minimal work experience, is by talking about your personality. You may think this doesn’t hold much weight in an interview, but in sales - it absolutely does.

In an environment that is fast paced and requires true commitment and a passion to speak to people, it takes certain personality traits to thrive. And before you assume you don’t have the stereotypical personality traits for sales, there are a range of personalities and natural abilities work perfectly in a sales environment:

• Resilience and positivity . Talk about how you’re not easily deterred by rejection or setbacks but instead you see them as an opportunity to grow.
• Empathy/ emotional intelligence . Do you have the ability to empathise and understand people? That’s a skill that is invaluable when talking to candidates.
• You enjoy working in varied environments. This means you don’t just have the ability to adapt and succeed in constant change, but you enjoy it.
• Strong work ethic. Sales requires commitment and if you’re someone who works hard, that will be of value to an employer

“I ENJOY BEING CHALLENGED AND WORKING TOWARDS GOALS”

Sales isn’t necessarily an ‘easy’ career route, and it takes determination to succeed. Showcase your desire to sell the company’s product or service and explain your motivation to do so.

Share examples of past experiences where you set ambitious goals for yourself and demonstrated the drive and determination to achieve them. Hiring Managers will be looking to see that you continually push to improve and exceed expectations. Self-motivation is important and whilst good managers will work to motivate you, they also want you to be independent.

TALK ABOUT YOUR PASSION FOR THE INDUSTRY/ PRODUCT

Whilst you need the passion to do sales, you also need to have passion for what you sell.

Perhaps you’re drawn to the industry’s innovation and potential for growth, or you’re excited for the opportunity to make a positive impact for customers and what the company stands for. Today there is such a wide range of ethical and B Corp companies for salespeople to work in, meaning that you can truly talk about how the company resonates with you personally, giving you a desire to sell.

By talking about this, you also demonstrate the fact that you did your research and prepared with purpose.

- Written by Lauren Whiteman