This Tips and Links page includes general Tips on preparing for an interview, the best way to keep in contact with us and general links of interest.

TIPS ON LEAVING A MESSAGE/EMAIL :
IF YOU LEAVE A VOICE MESSAGE PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME, COMPANY NAME AND CITY WITH YOUR best contact phone NUMBER AND BRIEF MESSAGE OF THE NATURE OF YOU CALL. PLEASE ID YOURSELF. We key on your company name and city first then your name to process your call or email . We get 100's of calls a day and this helps us process your voice mail or email. If replying to a email sent make sure you hit the reply button or include details of what we sent you to properly process your return email ID YOURSELF Name, company name, city and phone cell phone number. If you have a block on your home phone take it off during the search. Your resume should always be in MS WORD as a .doc label it using your last name. ( Smith.doc)

IF YOU ARE CHECKING IN ON THE STATUS OF YOUR SEARCH, IT'S BEST TO EMAIL DUE TO VOLUME AND OUR TRAVEL + INTERVIEWING SCHEDULE.

PREPARING FOR THE INTERVIEW !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
DRESS: Pick out a conservative suit. Business attire, sharp image for your first impression.

LOCATION: Confirm the time and location. You can use MAPQUEST for detailed directions. Get there early and contact the manager 5 minutes before your interview time.

BRAG BOOK: Make sure you take your brag book, extra resumes, pen, business cards, cell, day planner and prepared questions. ( Market share, philosophy of selling, training programs, what are they looking for in a candidate, etc.) Compensation questions should be asked later in the interview process.

Research: Do your homework !!! What is the stock price? What new products are in the pipeline? BE PREPARED!!! Use the internet, in the field homework and google. Why are you interviewing for this company and industry?

THE INTERVIEW:
Remember you are selling yourself, you are the product. Let the manager control the pace of the interview. Introduce yourself and submit a copy of your brag book. Listen and answer the questions being asked completely. Be able to explain your resume from high school to college to first job to the present. The manager will also go through a structured checklist of questions ( GPA, how is your driving record ? ) have prepared questions for the manager if time permits. Be prepared for pre-employment testing.

CLOSE: Ask for the job and attempt to set up a second interview. Be prepared to answer the question "Why should I hire you?" Always CLOSE and get a business card which will have the managers contact information for a thank you follow up letter.

POST INTERVIEW:
Call your recruiter to debrief your interest level in the job.
Follow up with a Thank-You letter to the manager. Email or leave one at the front desk of the hotel.
Replay and critique your interview performance and make notes for future interviews. Continue to do in the field research on the company.

A sample of typical interview questions.

Interview Questions
1. What would you change about your present situation/current/manager/ job?
2. What are you looking for in your next position ?
3. What are the major qualities required to be successful in your sales position?
4. What types of specialists/industries have you called on in your sales history?
5. What is your current compensation/ base salary/commission/bonus?
6. What compensation are you looking for if you are hired?
7. What does being successful mean to you?
8. What professional goals have you set for yourself?
9. What are your 5 most significant accomplishments in your business life?
10. What is your sales philosophy?
11. How does your boss get the best out of you?
12. How do you organize/plan your daily activities? What tools do you use?
13. Are you responsible for controlling expenses in your territory? How do you do that? How much overnight travel do you do ( 20 work days/month).
14. How do you get to the decision maker ?
15. What is it that attracts you to XYZ COMPANY?
16. What do you know about XYZ COMPANY ?
17. How soon could you realistically impact this territory if hired? What would you do in your first year?
18. What motivates you?
19. What sets you apart from the thousands of other reps in this industry?
20. What are your strengths? What are your weaknesses?

A great interview book we recommend is "Knock 'em Dead" by Martin Yate.
The newest edition of Martin Yate's "New York Times" business bestseller "Knock 'em Dead" features the most up-to-date advice available on recent developments in the job market. It also features advice on getting organized, getting interviews, and how to follow up on job opportunities, as well as what to do when layoffs and downsizing are imminent.

Some companies do pre-employment testing. www.web.tickle.com is a great site for IQ and personality testing.