Translating Your Sales Experience to Recruiters

In today's economy, translating your sales experience to a recruiter can mean the difference between a job and a long walk home. However, the apparently boundless number of applicants for a single position can make it tough to get noticed. It can be prudent to come to the interview equipped with a number of tactics to ensure that you are noticed more than any other jobseeker—and for the right reasons.

Clear differences between modern and traditional recruitment strategies can become apparent before applicants ever reach the face-to-face interview stage. If the number of applications for a single position is particularly great, screening techniques may be employed. You might be asked to attend a telephone interview, or complete a questionnaire via the Internet. Both of these systems are designed to narrow the applicant pool and streamline in-person interviews.

On a typical day, many human resources professionals spend hours listening to a steady stream of applicants answer a standard set of questions. To make the shortlist, you need to stand out significantly: in a nutshell, you need to be prepared to shine. Remembering the following four points at interview can help you make the right impression—on the phone or in person:

• Remain on topic: This is especially important if you haven't been employed in sales for very long—or if you haven't held a sales position for a while. If you place an emphasis on your sales experience instead of your familiarity with other types of work, you stand a much better chance of being hired.
  
   
• Tell a few stories: Instead of providing a slew of simple answers, talk about specific incidents in more depth. For example, if the sales recruiter asks about your definition of customer service, your answer could include a situation in which you pacified an angry customer successfully.
  
   
• Convey your passion: Putting aside all other relevant qualifications, companies inevitably hire applicants with a strong drive to sell. If you can convince a sales recruiter of your enthusiasm as well as your sales experience, the recruiter will be much more likely to consider you for a sales assistant position.
  
   
• Sell yourself: Last, but by no means least, you need to sell yourself to the recruiter. Naturally you don't want to appear bigheaded; however, you should be ready to communicate your strengths clearly. This is the perfect opportunity to show the recruiter your sales experience in action.

As well as sales experience, recruiters look for a number of positive personality features during an interview. These include the following characteristics:

• A proven ability to work as part of a team.
  
   
• A solid, honest work ethic.
  
   
• An ability to cope with stress or conflict in the workplace.
  
   
• A constructive, confident response to challenge.

If you remember to keep your sales experience at the top of the agenda on interview day, you may be able to convey your aptitude for sales to the recruiter. Recounting specific sales-related experiences can reinforce the interviewer's encouraging impression of you. Expressing your passion for sales—in effect, selling your sales experience to the recruiter—will help emphasize your suitability for a sales assistant role. If you let your hard-working enthusiasm and team player attitude show, you may find yourself swiftly employed.

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