In the current economic climate the jobs market is tough. It is reported that for every position there is up to a staggering 50 to 100 candidiates each competing  for the role. Sales  jobs in paticular are currently experiencing fierce competition. That is why you need to be one step ahead.

So how do you get that dream job with that company you have always wanted to work for. Below Optimum Sales Recruitment have put together a list of hints & tips to help.

1) Be Prepared!!(fail to plan – Plan to fail)

Preparation is keyand your competitors want you to trip up. Dont give them the satisfaction. The interviewer will be seeing more than one of you. Do something to stand out. Dont be a chameleon and blend into the background. 

Research the company you are being interviewed by and look at their website in particluar the latest news page . Companies like to talk about themselves, Also this can be used by you during the interview to ask them about the latest developments within their organisation and how your skills can help them achieve their goals.

From their contact page look at their address so that you know exactly where you are going on the day, turning up late for a interview is a no no!!! It shows lack of preparation. Do a dry run ( Drive to their offices). Quite often businesses can be tucked away on an industrial estate. Make a note of their telephone number along with the person who is interviewing you. If you are going to be late at least you can do the decent thing and call ahead.

Research their industry. look at whats happening and who are  their competitors and again mention how your skills and experience  can put them one step ahead of their competition (remember your a sales person SELL YOURSELF) .

2)  First Impressions last!

Prior to the interview contact the company and ask for some information to be sent to you . This shows intiative.

Make sure you are on time. Get there early, you then can be relaxed during the interview rather than be flustered which is never a good look at a interview.

Dress to impress  

Start as you mean to do business –  Smart and professional .  Greet the person with a smile. Smile and the world smiles with you!!! Get plenty of sleep the night before, bags under the eyes will not look good. Hair must be combed. Refrain from smelling of alcohol, Cigarettes, or any strong smelling food.

Gentlemen wear a suit with a jacket & tie a white shirt(ironed) and plain colour tie is always a safe bet. Refrain from wearing loud coloured shirts at animation ties. And make sure your shoes are polished.

Ladies Keep your attire conservative ie a trouser suit or acceptable lentgh skirt. Do not over do the perfume.

3) Sell yourself

Quite often sales people can talk the talk but never back it up with proof. Be sure to prepare what is known as a brag file. Place in a folder a copy of your CV, a list of your acheivements and awards, print off sales leagues, take along pay slips and p60′s. This will  prove your earnings. What cant speak cant lie.

4) Interview them

The interviewer is probably going to ask the same questions to everyone they see. So lets turn the tables interview them. Prior to the interview prepare a list of questions . i.e  How many people work here. What are your goals. Why do people like working here. This will not only show an interest in the company it will lengthen your time in the interview therefore creating a bigger impression.

5) Ask for the business !!!

As a sales person a true test of your ability will be to establish if you can ask for the business. At the end of the interview you will normally be asked do you have any further questions? Make sure  before leaving you say something like: Many thanks for taking the time to see me today based on what you have seen today would you have any reason not to offer me the job? This will command a yes or no answer. If there is a objection as to why they would not employ you, you can try and over come it there and then. You will leave the interview letting the interviewer know you have the ability to ask for the business which is the mark of any good sales professional.

Contact us

If you are a company looking to hire your next sales superstar or you are a sales professional looking for that dream role please contact us to see how we can help.

The world of a sales professional is a complex one. You have to one keep the company happy by bringing in the sales, you have to two keep one step ahead of your competitors and most importantly three you have to keep your clients happy by providing them with a first class service they deserve.

As well as all this you have the age old problem to keep on top of that is the bain of every sales persons life the good old paperwork. So how do you do it? Do you do it at night after the working day . Or is your sales  performance struggling because your simply tied up with it all.

Maybe your a company owner that is looking for a more organised sales person to join your team. Please let us know

With rising prices of fuel in the UK companies are really feeling the pinch of having a sales force on the road. Please let us know your comments and views on this matter. is is it affecting or not? Are you looking to grow your sales team?

We are looking for an Avaya qualified engineer to be based in devon Great salary and career prospects on offer for more info please view our site or contact us on info@optimumsalesrecruitment.com

As we all know Sales is a tough game at the best of times,even harder in the current climate! So how can you be  one step ahead of the competition. Here are just a few ideas from Optimum Sales Recruitment on how this can be achieved.

Specialise - Be a niche. Clients will always prefer to deal with a company that specialises in their given sector

Listen! - Hear what your client wants. dont think they want what everyone else does and tailor their needs to each client.

Change - If something is not working for your client dont be afraid to suggest something different.

Contact - Keep in regular contact misunderstandings often happens when there is a breakdown or no communication.

Deliver - Dont Make false promises and keep to your word. Do what you say your going to do call ,when you say your going to call. This will promote confidence and assure your commitment to your clients.

If your a company that could benefit with better sales people please contact Optimum Sales recruitment. and please feel free to add your comments they are most welcome.

It was Henry Ford who first stated ‘nothing happens until a sale is made’. How true, and how often it is that the sale is left in the hands of an untrained person. Mr Ford may well have had the manufacturing capability to produce cars at a phenomenal rate, but if they did not get sold, production capability was of no value at all. Contrary to popular belief, sales methods and techniques can be learnt just like any other subject.

Large companies spend fortunes on advertising their products, fortunes on lavish shops to attract the customer and fortunes on window and in-store displays, only to lose valuable sales through a lack of ongoing product sales training.

Broadly speaking, a salesperson must have the following skills and attributes:

l. Job satisfaction.

2. Product knowledge.

3. Enthusiasm.

4. Formal and up-to-date sales technique training.

5. The ability to ascertain the customer’s needs.

6. The ability to fit the product to the customer.

7. The ability to recognise the customer’s problems, e.g. shortage of money, shortage of time, or just plain boredom.

8. The ability to recognise the time to close the sale.

9. A likeable and friendly manner

10. Last, but by no means least, a clean and smart appearance.

Before we go any further let me hit you with a few ‘don’ts’:

l. Don’t be aggressive, avoid the hard sell.

2. Don’t talk about yourself, it holds no interest for the customer.

3. Don’t approach the customer smelling of alcohol, cigarettes or anything that the customer may find the slightest bit offensive.

4. Don’t ever argue with the customer, simply ask questions.

5. If you get a positive buying signal from the customer, cease your sales presentation – to continue can lose you the sale.

6. Don’t criticise others.

7. Don’t criticise other manufacturers’ products.

AIDA - Attention Interest Desire Action

AIDA is a logical sequence through which the salesperson and the customer must travel to reach a successful sale.

A is for Attention

Give the customer your attention. Allow enough time for the customer to show interest in a particular product group, but remember that allowing too much time can lead to the customer leaving the shop through lack of salesperson attention. Verbally highlight a sales feature.

I is for Interest

Show interest in the customer’s needs. Verbally list the sales features and at the same time begin to establish the customer’s needs by questioning. For example:

• What type of vacuum cleaner do you use, is it an upright type or a cylinder type?
• Do you have a large or small house?
• Do you have any pets in your house?

This type of questioning helps the salesperson to ensure the customer will go home with the right product to suit their requirements, thus cutting down the risk of losing the sale or having the product returned at a later date.

D is for Desire

The desire for the customer to own the product builds as the salesperson marries the product sales features to the needs of the customer. For example:

• You mentioned you had two dogs – the selection of tools provided with the machine will make light work of the hair they leave on your carpet.
• As your home is on three levels the comparatively low weight of this product makes it a good choice for you.
• The rechargeable option is certainly a big plus when you travel on holiday in your caravan.

A is for Action

It’s crunch time, the point at which you have to ask the customer to purchase the product, the point of no return and the pinnacle of all the work, time, effort and money that is now at risk. A simple mistake can ruin the sale, so what do you do? How do you bring the sale to a successful conclusion? There are three main methods used to close a sale:

l. Dual positive suggestion

Children are blessed with the ability to close a sale without their even knowing it, simply by asking a dual positive question, that is to say asking two questions that both have a positive answer. For example, little Robert says, ‘Mum shall we go to the movies today or will tomorrow suit you better?’ Either answer gets Robert to the movies.

Here are a few examples of dual positive suggestions that can help you close the sale:

• Would you like us to deliver, or did you want to take it with you?
• Will you be paying cash, or can I show you our credit terms?
• Do you prefer the pink or the white one?
• Would you like to purchase it with tools or without at a reduced price?

2. The concession method

Suggesting a larger quantity, knowing the customer will settle for a little less, will often close the sale.

3. The silent method

Having reached the end of the sales presentation, the skilful salesperson will go silent and remain that way, and the customer will feel obliged to speak and will order. (Only the experienced salesperson should attempt to use this method, as it can backfire.)

Discuss with us your best sales technique. do you use a script? Or do you use a consultative selling method?

is their a recipe for a good sales and do you have a good sales person if  not we can help.

With interest rates at a all time low the goverment is telling us to spend. Rather than spend out, why not invest in your company by adding to your sales force to drive up sales. Optimum Sales Recruitment are just the people to help with this. Being a specialist sale recruitment company we are the top in our field. please contact us to discuss.