It doesn’t matter if you are interviewing for a sales executive job or a director/board level job, preparation is key to impressing at interview, even if you already know the role and industry, every company is different.
- Presentation – always wear a suit, even if you know that the company dress code is more casual, if it really isn’t necessary we will advise you beforehand.
- Bring a copy of the interview notes we have provided and your CV.
- Be prepared – we will provide you with competency based questions the client is likely to ask, but think of further questions you think are relevant and run them past us for advice.
- Read through the job spec and plan a detailed answer and example against each of the core competencies and responsibilities of the role.
- Make sure you know your figures for sales jobs, this includes targets, forecasts, budgets and how that fits into the overall team or company forecast.
- Be enthusiastic - an employer will want to see that you are keen about the role and the company.
- If you don't know the answer to a question – take a moment to think it through and if you really don’t know then be honest and say why you don’t know.
- Be positive - focus on your strengths and what you know rather than what you don't know.
- If you like the role, show your interest – at the end of the interview express an interest and ask what the next step would be.
Interview questions for media sales jobs
Below is a selection of typical interview questions which, regardless of the level, are nearly always asked in one form or another.
- Why do you want to work for this company?
- Why do you want to leave your current role?
- What do you know about your specialist area (recruitment advertising, digtial, etc)
- What do you see as the market trends?
- What skills do you think you can bring to the role and the company?
- Give us an example of…where you have had to make a difficult decision and what was the outcome?
- Give us an example of…how you have had to influence someone successfully who expressed initial objections?
- How would your current colleagues describe you?
- How do you like to manage/be managed
- Demonstrate how you have been a positive team player or positive leader.
- What has been your greatest achievement in your current role?
Example questions to ask at interview
You should prepare some questions you want to ask at the interview in order for you find out everything you want to about the role and the company. You will have opportunities to ask questions throughout the interview. And almost certainly the interviewer will ask at the end what questions you have.
- How has this role come available?
- How will my success be monitored in the role?
- What training and development will be offered in the role?
- What is the structure of the team I will be joining?
- Who does the role report to?
- How successful has the team been to date?
- Who are the major competitors and what do they do right/wrong?
For more information about interview techniques or further career advice contact us.