Why Sales? How to Answer this Interview Question

One of the most challenging interviews is a sales interview.

Unlike other types of interviews, sales interviews typically assess an applicant’s persuasion, confidence, and selling abilities.

Why sales? During interviews, most interviewers will ask you this question. Applicants must also demonstrate their persuasion abilities through a variety of sales-related activities.

The interviewer will be looking at your communication skills to see if you’re the type of person who can close deals with the company’s customers.

Simultaneously, the interviewer will ask questions to learn more about your sales history and professional accomplishments.

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Why sales? The thought behind this common interview question

A typical sales question has many questions to answer, but one of the most frequently asked sales interview questions is why sales?

Here are a few reasons why we believe the question “why sales?” is still one of the most frequently asked sales interview questions.

Determines Passion and Enthusiasm

Sales determine passion and enthusiasm. An applicant will be unable to handle work pressure unless his or her passion is the driving force. An interviewer expects a witty and passionate response from an applicant. Sales is not a field where only knowledge can be sufficient; a desire to work is what propels you forward. It is something that every interviewer looks for in a candidate.

Assists in Analyzing the Swift Response

A quick thought process is one of the key characteristics that distinguish a successful salesperson. Every question posed to a salesperson should be met with a prompt and meaningful response.

It’s similar to asking applicants to sell a pen during a sales interview.

An interviewer is aware that you do not know the pen’s specifications, but he or she is only interested in seeing how quickly your thought process works.

So, what is the point of selling? It gives an interviewer an idea of an applicant’s reaction time.

Assessing Reasons to Improve Understanding

When an interviewer asks this question, they are looking to see if the reasons for choosing sales as a career are genuine.

Indeed, we understand that simply stating, “I believe I am a good salesman/woman,” is insufficient. Have compelling evidence to back up your claim.

How to Respond to the Question, Why Sales?

Why do you want to work in sales? Before you sit down for your interview, you must know the answer to that question. Consider this an elevator pitch. Create a short, catchy explanation of what draws you to sales and why you think you’ll be good at it. This should be no more than 30 seconds to a minute long. You’ll most likely be allowed to elaborate further, but the goal is to sell yourself without selling.

You can also tailor your response to the company for which you are interviewing. Visit their website and sites like Glassdoor to learn more about what makes the company tick. Check to see if your employees mention monthly sales quotas or tiered commission. If so, state that you are “committed to exceeding monthly quotas by 15%” or something similar.

Above all, it is crucial to be open and honest. You’re most likely interviewing someone who has been through this process dozens, if not hundreds, of times. They can detect a lie from a distance of ten miles. In other words, don’t brag about your 100 percent close rate unless you have compelling data to back it up.

Here are some things to think about when answering the question, why sales?

Skip the obvious answer

It’s tempting to answer the question “Why sales?” with the first thing that comes to mind: “Because I like it,” or “Because the pay is good.”

These responses, however, are ineffective. Any hiring manager can deduce that both are correct. Instead of standing out for your qualifications, you blend in with the crowd of unremarkable candidates.

Consider when you first realized you had a talent for sales

When did you realize you possessed the skills needed to succeed in sales – and that you enjoyed putting them to use? Perhaps you discovered this while working your first job as a teenager or even as a child. Perhaps the realization didn’t hit you until you were already on a different career path.

In any case, think about how you can retell this story for a hiring manager while emphasizing your sales skills. For example, perhaps on your first job, you discovered that you enjoyed the challenge of constantly learning about new products or services and matching them to the exact needs. Create a story that demonstrates your motivation and determination.

Concentrate on your success

Rather than saying, “I love sales,” give one or two real-life examples of your most successful or satisfying sales moments. For example, perhaps you once assisted a customer in resolving a complex problem, which made you realize that your sales skills make a real difference in the world.

Then, use that success as a springboard. You accomplished that specific goal; now, where do you want to go from here? What has that goal taught you about your future abilities, and how can you develop those skills in the context of the job you’re applying for?

Solicit assistance

You are not required to prepare for a sales interview on your own. Working with a recruiter provides you with the assistance of a friend who specializes in assisting candidates in preparing for interviews with some of the best employers in their field and industry.

Examples of ideal answers to the question, why sales?

For the past X number of years, I have worked in sales. I have successfully handled situations that would be difficult for most people to manage. I believe I have developed all of the necessary characteristics to be a good salesperson by this point. I know exactly when and to whom I should pitch what.
A career in sales is full of opportunities and challenges for me. It makes it more interesting than most other career options. Growth can be unfathomable, but so can the challenges. However, I believe I have the temperament and persuasion skills to be a good salesperson. I have always been a people person.
I always wanted to work in sales. It is a field that offers both financial and professional growth in much less time than most professional fields. It does, however, have some challenges. I was also one of the best salespeople in my previous companies. Always primarily concerned with increasing revenue for the firm. The gratification and challenges motivate me to work harder to achieve success in this field.
I’ve already worked in this field professionally for many years. I believe I have the necessary experience and persuasion skills to identify consumer needs and generate revenue. I have worked with a variety of products in the past and adapted to the needs of each. All of these abilities have led me to believe that sales are the right career path for me.

What Not to Say in an Interview When Asked: “Why Sales?”

When it comes to interview questions, what you don’t say is sometimes more important than what you say. As you already know what to say in response to the question “why do you work in sales,” here are a few suggestions for what not to say.

1. Just Finance

Never give the impression to your interviewer that you want to work in sales solely for financial reasons. Finances may be one of the reasons you’re interested in this field, but if that’s all you’re interested in, your chances of success plummet.

2. Issues with the Supervisor

It’s a big no-no to portray yourself as having landed here solely because of your current employer or problems with your manager. Disagreements with managers or problems in the current company may force a person to change jobs. However, saying it aloud during an interview can backfire.

3. Not sure

I am not sure, a phrase you should never use in a sales interview. Conviction is one of a salesperson’s most powerful assets. I am not sure; the sentence says the exact opposite. As a result, it is crucial that such sentences not be used in a sales interview.

4. Missed opportunity to ask questions

One of the most valuable characteristics of a salesperson is the ability to probe. Ask questions about the position, role, company, and so on during your sales interview. It demonstrates your desire to work with the company and your eagerness to take on the role.

Sales interview questions are designed to assess a candidate’s ability to persuade. Answer questions confidently and quickly during a sales interview. You can respond swiftly that distinguishes you from the other candidates.

Why sales? Is one of the most usually asked interview questions for genuine reason. It gives discerning employers insight into applicants’ motives and aids them in assessing readiness. For job seekers, the question is an opportunity to highlight their most vital assets. Master this question, and you’ll stand out from the crowd for all the right reasons.