A while ago I asked a few PharmBoard members to send me some things to think about while I was riding my bicycle across Tennessee. Well, we made it and, needless to say, I had a lot of time to think about those questions.

The one I want to share with you though is quite possibly the most feared of all sales interview questions - unless you’re prepared that is.

If you were in an interview and were asked the question, “Sell me this pen.” What would you do?

I have a killer tip for you that will knock your interviewer’s socks off.

Take a minute to pre-call plan. Managers know that successful sales reps plan their calls before they ever lay eyes on the customer.

Pre-call plans allow you to outline a precise message to the customer that meets his/her needs - after all, sales is all about filling
needs, right?

So when you get the question in the interview, ask if you can take a few minutes to pre-call plan. Even if the interviewer says no (s/he most likely won’t), you will make a big impression.

Here’s the nail in the proverbial coffin:

After you’ve closed the sale, ask the manager if you can have a couple of more minutes to write a call note. Tell him/her you find that your best notes come if you write them soon after the call and you don’t want to forget the important parts of the call.

I guarantee this will blow the interviewer away!

Take a moment to look at two related articles in the Detail Bag portion of PharmBoard.com:

For step by step instructions on how to detail in the interview:
http://www.pharmboard.com/the-interview-detail-a-how-to-guide/

and for instructions on what makes a great call note:
http://www.pharmboard.com/writing-a-stellar-call-note/

Good selling!

If you find this site helpful, please send a link to your career services department so your fellow alumni know about PharmBoard too! I've already written the message for you. :)