Applying for an industry position

[HCVP]

Hey guy's, a position in the car audio department in a local electronics store has become available in my area, and i am considering applying for it.The position is for the sale of car audio only, not installation.

I've never worked in a sales position before, mostly i've previously been employed in Transport/Logistics.From anyone who currently works in the industry,or has done in the past especially sales, what are some things that a prospective employer might look for when interviewing candidates? Because i have no previous experience as such, what can i say, or what could i do, to convince them i am the person for the job?

Anyone who can give me some advice, would be greatly appreciated.

[holdenboy]

No real advice for you (never worked in sales) other than GOOD LUCK

[acarmody]

If its just a department in an electronic store then I'm gonna guess they stock stuff like, Sony, Kenwood, Pioneer, etc. So don't mention any of the good advice that is here, and tell the interviewer how much you know about these awesone brands, SONY FTW! LOL.

[sweefu]

haha support their 18 gajillion watt subs

[wraith]

haha support their 18 gajillion watt subs

But it has chrome bits so it has to be good right?

OT: Even with no experience it really isn't that hard to pick up and I am sure if you show your enthusiasm to learn you will get it no worries. Most of the time people will advertise they want experienced but if your happy to get trained and have a good attitude it can help get past lack of experience. Judging by some of the people employed by the big car audio people I don't think extensive experience is a pre requisite to be honest. Yeah I know I pretty much said the same thing 3 times but I couldn't think of a way to compress it into just the one sentence.

[azkwazere]

Been a sales position employers will look for the following things:

1. Physcial appearance: This is fairly straight forward. Wear a suit to the interview, clean shaven (or at least well groomed facial hair) remove any piercings (you cna put them back in later and deal with workplace saftey code when you have the job) and generally just look presentable. By law employers cant discrimate on appearance but they can just not hire you and make something up. The better you look, the more it will show that you care about making their store look presentable.

2. Know the product: This is vital. Do some research and know what stock the store carries and doesn't. Know the Models of popular products and ensure you actually know what your selling. This make a good gateway into asking questions to the employer (see below)

3. Make eye contact and speak clearly: Basic communication here. Dont look at your feet, make regular but non offensive eye contact. insure you engage the intervier(s) and maintain active listening. Usual things, dont swear etc etc. They are looking for someone who can communicate well and present themselves. This is sales, if you cant sell your self, how can you sell a subwoofer?

4. Know the company. Like the product, learn some history of the company. CIO,CFO, how many stores, basic history stuff incase it arrises. If you do some research and it arrises, it will show the employer you a serious and mean business.

5. Employers always look for someone who has skills but also has situations with resolutions. You will get asked questions like, "Give me an example of when you had a difficult client and how it was resolved" Make sure you have some ideas as to how you can assist the company in selling its product. Make sure any skills you do have also have stories behind them where they have increased sales by % or workplace efficiency by %.. No one cares that you can speak mandarin, but, if you managed to sell 10k more products by using your mandarin tongue to appeal to overseas buyers, your much better off.

6. Be a team player. Employers like team sports, team activites and other things with the word team in them. Make sure you come accross as someone who can work well in a team!

7. Engage the interviewer. When they ask "do you have any questions" answer yes... Ask them things which you want to know about to make your life easier. Are they peak busy periods, what are the top 3 things that the company is struggeling with insales, what top 3 things are really working for the sales department. Enagage them. Interviews are a 2 sided street, 1 side is them getting to know you, the other is you getting to know them. You want to make sure your not sigining up to a crap job.

Other than that, be postive, confident, respectiful and keen.

Good luck.

aZk.

[chevZ]

Been a sales position employers will look for the following things:

1. Physcial appearance: This is fairly straight forward. Wear a suit to the interview, clean shaven (or at least well groomed facial hair) remove any piercings (you cna put them back in later and deal with workplace saftey code when you have the job) and generally just look presentable. By law employers cant discrimate on appearance but they can just not hire you and make something up. The better you look, the more it will show that you care about making their store look presentable.

2. Know the product: This is vital. Do some research and know what stock the store carries and doesn't. Know the Models of popular products and ensure you actually know what your selling. This make a good gateway into asking questions to the employer (see below)

3. Make eye contact and speak clearly: Basic communication here. Dont look at your feet, make regular but non offensive eye contact. insure you engage the intervier(s) and maintain active listening. Usual things, dont swear etc etc. They are looking for someone who can communicate well and present themselves. This is sales, if you cant sell your self, how can you sell a subwoofer?

4. Know the company. Like the product, learn some history of the company. CIO,CFO, how many stores, basic history stuff incase it arrises. If you do some research and it arrises, it will show the employer you a serious and mean business.

5. Employers always look for someone who has skills but also has situations with resolutions. You will get asked questions like, "Give me an example of when you had a difficult client and how it was resolved" Make sure you have some ideas as to how you can assist the company in selling its product. Make sure any skills you do have also have stories behind them where they have increased sales by % or workplace efficiency by %.. No one cares that you can speak mandarin, but, if you managed to sell 10k more products by using your mandarin tongue to appeal to overseas buyers, your much better off.

6. Be a team player. Employers like team sports, team activites and other things with the word team in them. Make sure you come accross as someone who can work well in a team!

7. Engage the interviewer. When they ask "do you have any questions" answer yes... Ask them things which you want to know about to make your life easier. Are they peak busy periods, what are the top 3 things that the company is struggeling with insales, what top 3 things are really working for the sales department. Enagage them. Interviews are a 2 sided street, 1 side is them getting to know you, the other is you getting to know them. You want to make sure your not sigining up to a crap job.

Other than that, be postive, confident, respectiful and keen.

Good luck.

aZk.

Great Advice,

Coming from someone that's last 3 career's have been all in Sales, and now has landed me working for Holden in sales, i'd say that the above is pretty much right on the money.. read those points like the bible.

[HCVP]

But it has chrome bits so it has to be good right?

OT: Even with no experience it really isn't that hard to pick up and I am sure if you show your enthusiasm to learn you will get it no worries. Most of the time people will advertise they want experienced but if your happy to get trained and have a good attitude it can help get past lack of experience. Judging by some of the people employed by the big car audio people I don't think extensive experience is a pre requisite to be honest. Yeah I know I pretty much said the same thing 3 times but I couldn't think of a way to compress it into just the one sentence.

I have hands on experience and kowledge, i just haven't had sales expereince before.

[HCVP]

Azkwazre, thanks for the advice, interviews before have never really been my strong point.

My application has been sent off, so hopefully i will hear back, and be lucky enough to secure myself an interview.I knew i shouldn't have been a tight arse last week, and payed for a hair cut, rather than running the clippers over it myself!!