5 Questions to Ask Before Accepting a Sales Job
Accepting a sales job is a significant career decision that can shape your professional growth and financial success. While a sales role may appear attractive on the surface, it is essential to gather more information before making a commitment. To ensure you make an informed decision, here are five questions to ask during the interview process.
1. What percentage of the team hit quota last quarter?
Understanding the sales team's performance is vital to gauge the company's overall sales effectiveness. By asking about the quota achievement rate, you can gain insights into the team's success and potential earning opportunities. A high percentage indicates a well-performing team, demonstrating that the company has a solid sales process and supportive environment.
Be sure to double-check quota achievement on RepVue to make sure the numbers are aligned.
If you are still unsure, don’t be afraid to reach out to current/past employees on LinkedIn to verify.
2. How is the company enabling reps to hit quota?
A successful sales team requires support and resources to hit targets. Be sure to ask the interviewer about the company's initiatives to assist sales representatives in achieving their quotas.
Specifically, focus on aspects like training, email deliverability, phone call connection rates, and sales collateral. If the company is not actively addressing these issues, this could present problems down the road. How can reps hit their quotas if their emails are ending up in the spam folder and their calls are being flagged as “Spam Likely”.
This information will give you a clearer understanding of the tools, training, and technology the company provides to empower its sales team.
3. Why is the role open? Layoffs, growth, funding, etc.?
Knowing why the sales position is available can provide valuable context about the company's current situation. If the role opened due to a layoff, it may be worth exploring the reasons behind it. Additionally, be sure to ask what the company plans to do to prevent a similar situation from happening in the future.
On the other hand, if it is due to company growth, it signifies positive prospects and potential career advancement opportunities.
4. What’s the biggest challenge for the sales team at the moment?
Every sales team faces unique challenges, and understanding the current hurdles can help you evaluate the role's potential fit with your skills and aspirations. By asking about the team's biggest challenge, you can assess whether you have the required expertise and whether the company is actively working to overcome these obstacles.
Moreover, it demonstrates your proactive approach and genuine interest in contributing to the team's success.
Keep in mind, if an interviewer says they aren’t facing any challenges, that is a red flag. Every company has challenges, and it would be dishonest for the company to say there aren’t any challenges.
5. What makes the top salesperson so successful?
Learning about the qualities and strategies that contribute to a top-performing salesperson's success can provide valuable insights into the company's sales culture and expectations.
Ask about the top salesperson's techniques, strategies, and any training or mentorship opportunities available. Understanding the attributes that lead to success will help you determine if the company's sales approach aligns with your strengths and aspirations.
Conclusion
Before accepting a sales job, it is crucial to gather essential information to make an informed decision. By asking these five questions during the interview process, you can gain valuable insights into the company's sales performance, support systems, challenges, and sales culture.
Armed with this knowledge, you can evaluate the role's suitability and determine whether it aligns with your career goals, allowing you to embark on a sales journey that offers growth, fulfillment, and financial rewards. Remember, thorough research and thoughtful questioning are essential to finding the right sales job for you.
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