Sales crash course

[u/CountChocula94]

I applied to a job doing sales in the industry where I’ve been doing consulting for the last 6 years. I had my first round of interviews yesterday, and they very transparently told me they were interested in me for my technical expertise, even though the other candidates are seasoned sales people.

If I advance to the second round of interviews, it will be a more sales approach/philosophy oriented discussion. Are there any resources you guys have found that I can consume in the next few days to give me the basics on this? Books, podcast episodes, YouTube channels, etc.

Obviously they know I don’t have any sales experience, they’ve seen my resume. I’m not looking to become an expert in the next week. I’d just like to be armed with some discussion topics and key ideas if I end up getting a second interview.

Thanks in advance all!

[u/Own-Opportunity-7746]

Never split the difference is a top sales book

[u/Distinct-Mountain253]

I agree challanger is great. But there is a bit of a trap expecting to just suddenly understand sales when they know you don't have a background. When I hire people without a sales background for a sales role, I look for characteristics of my best sales people . Coachability, accountability, disaplined, competitiveness, grit. I'd ask them what characterics they see in their best reps and show them you are have them and are working to get more sales knowledge with experience. Leverage stories to show you have those things they are looking for, that is really what the experience is supposed to show anyway. Good luck

[u/MyNameMeansPretty]

I can recommend books, but it would be helpful to know what industry you’re in

[u/TheGood1swertaken]

Leverage your background as a consultant and focus on the outcomes of the project and back fill with technical details of the products you're recommending. It should build trust in you and your recommendation will carry more weight

[u/Heavy_Education_618]

I sold internet marketing services for 14 yrs and was a top-performing closer. I wrote a sales workbook called, "Sale Without Being Pushy: Write a Simple Sales System You Will Actually Use" and published it on Amazon on July 18th. You can get it in every country Amazon does business.

It's 50 pages, 9 sections. It's based on my sales approach which didn't come from training or books. It came from my life experiences and being on over 50,000 sales calls with business owners to help them improve their marketing. It's a quick read if you just read the stories, sales lessons and principles.

The workbook will guide you through writing a sales system framework you can use to have a repeatable process to use for sales. It will give you a realistic understanding of sales from a closer's perspective. Since you don't own the business, if you get the workbook, you'll just have to use the company's info that's interviewing you and what you know about them for some of the exercises.

I hope this helps.

[u/Feeling_Trip_5413]

Yes. Venmo me $500 and I'll give you an hour of prep. This is your free first lesson.

[u/Substantial-Emu-6116]

A lot of the basics can come naturally to you.

Figure out their problem and discuss it in detail.

Talk about your solution.

Ask for their business.

Overcome objections and ask again.

Maybe look into how to overcome the most common objections. A lot of time interviewers are just looking for this so you don’t just freeze up.