You’re in a job interview and they ask about your sales experience. How do you answer?

Memories flooded back about my last job interview. My heart raced when the interviewer asked about my sales experience. ? I shared how I had exceeded sales targets at my previous job by building strong relationships with clients and using effective communication skills to understand their needs. ? I also highlighted my ability to think on my feet and adapt to different selling situations, showcasing my versatility and resilience in the face of challenges. ? I spoke passionately about the thrill of closing a deal and the satisfaction of seeing happy customers return for repeat business. By the end of my answer, I could see the interviewer nodding approvingly, impressed by my track record and enthusiasm for sales.

Do a little bit of preparation, gather your thoughts on paper and see what else can you add. If it's summarize the whole journey of your experience than make points and memories it to answer more effectively.

Tailor your response to align with the specific needs and expectations of the interviewer and the company. Research the company's products, services, target market, and sales processes to demonstrate your understanding and relevance to the role.

Showcase your past sales achievements and successes by quantifying your results whenever possible. Discuss specific sales goals you've met or exceeded, revenue generated, deals closed, customer acquisition or retention rates improved, or any awards or recognition received for your performance.

You can always add how you bring results or what you did differently that helps you in your job. What value you added in the customer journey that was the turning point in your success.

Highlight the sales skills and techniques you've developed throughout your career that make you an effective salesperson. This may include prospecting, relationship-building, negotiation, communication, problem-solving, and closing skills. Provide concrete examples and anecdotes that illustrate how you've applied these skills in real-world sales scenarios.

Display enthusiasm and confidence when discussing your sales experience, demonstrating your passion for sales and your ability to thrive in a sales environment. Use positive language and maintain good posture and eye contact to convey professionalism and self-assurance.

The final question that will always come out in an interview is "do you have any questions?" Be prepared to ask as interviews are meant to be 2-way communication. Failure to ask questions will likely result in you failing the interview as you are perceived to be uninterested in the role. You may ask questions pertaining to the role, company, culture, what success looks like, vision and direction etc..

Demonstrate your interest in the role and company by asking thoughtful questions about the sales team, the company's sales strategy, the target market, or any specific challenges or opportunities in the industry. This shows your proactive approach to learning and your commitment to success in the role.

Asking questions is another way to find more about the organization, how they works and how are the people. Always remember that interview is a conversation between two individuals and it should not be one sided. You can prepare certain questions or you can always ask during the interview.

Showcasing the value you bring to this organisation and how well you can fit in, will help you get ahead of the game. Always have your case scenarios and numbers ready. Well articulated response backed by your performance numbers is very powerful. Researching the company’s website and including some of their terminology into your responses, reflects very well in your preparedness. Use examples of common customers known to the company.

Be prepared to provide specific examples or anecdotes that illustrate your sales experience and success. Practice your responses to common sales interview questions beforehand to ensure clarity and coherence. Additionally, be honest and authentic in your responses, focusing on the aspects of your sales experience that are most relevant to the role and company.