How to Bag a Job in Sales by Sarah Maple

Here are some interview tips for anyone interested in marketing or IT sales jobs . Before you set your sights on a marketing or sales job you may want to consider if you have the following qualities. These are qualities that most interviewers will look for in a potential employee and it is important that you project those attributes in your interview. Try to show that you posses the right qualities without having to say so explicitly.

Excellent interpersonal skills This is something that you can show by the way you interact with your interviewer. Be polite but not stand offish and stay relaxed. Show that you have confidence in yourself and your capabilities without being arrogant.

Good planning and organisational skills. Make sure you show up to your interview ten minutes early and that you look smart. You may have noticed that other people in the office have a more relaxed dress code however you must show the best and most presentable side of yourself. Ensure that you have any documents that you were asked to bring along to your interview and think of some examples when you had to use these skills in a previous job. You may be asked of some examples.

Excellent communication and persuasion skills. If you are bright and articulate then make sure these qualities shine through. It will not only tick a box on the interviewer's list but it will make them like you. Practice answering possible questions that you may be asked and try to avoid using words such as 'like' or 'umming' and 'ahhing' before every sentence. Using hand gestures shows that you are confident and is more persuasive than sitting straight with your hands in your lap. Do not be afraid to smile, it does not make you look less capable!

Determined and enthusiastic. Speaking clearly and using hand gestures also conveys the impression that you have energy and are enthusiastic about the interview. Show your determination to get the position by following the submission of your CV with a phone call to the company to ask if it has been received. If you do not hear anything for over a week then call again and enquire about when you are likely to hear back from the company.

Ability to build and maintain relationships. Give some examples of times when you created a good client relationship. Build up a relationship with the interviewer as if they were a client that you were trying to win over. For a good job in sales you will have to stand out from the crowd so if you exchanged pleasantries with the interviewer at the start of your interview, try to bring one of those things back up positively at the end of the interview when you say goodbye. For example if you talked about the bad weather or the crowded tube journey, say that hopefully on your way back it will stop raining or the tube will be less crowded. Although a small gesture this builds a 'relationship' with the interviewer.

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