7 years ago
January 13, 2017

8 Things Sales Candidates Should Stop Saying if They Want to Get the Job

You could be self-sabotaging yourself without even knowing it because you are saying certain clichés the interviewer has heard time and time again.

Rhys Metler

Job interviews can be nerve-wracking. You want to make a great first impression. You may be a little nervous, but you want to present well and say the right things – and hopefully get a call back for another interview or job offer.

Amid your preparation and planning for your interview, you could be self-sabotaging yourself and eliminating yourself from contention without even knowing it – because you are saying certain clichés and using canned answers that the interviewer has heard time and time again.

While you may mean well, here are 8 things sales candidates should stop saying if they want to get the job:

1. “I will do whatever you need me to”:

While you may think you are being flexible and easy to work with, you are actually saying that you are not focused and you don’t necessarily want this job, just any job.  

2. “Like…”:

Using words such as “like,” “umm” and other communication crutches show that you are not polished, you may lack confidence and you are not a strong communicator, so, like, stop it. You should also avoid swearing during the interview, as well! 

3. “I didn’t like my last boss”:

Bad-mouthing a previous company or boss is a major no-no during interviews. Even if you didn’t like them, avoid talking bad about them. 

4. “I’m a quick learner”:

When you say this, the interviewer hears, “I don’t have all the required qualifications for the position.” 

5. Revealing stories:

Good interviewers will make you feel comfortable, but don’t get too comfortable and let your guard down. Avoid getting too personal or saying anything that could be considered too much information.

6. Using abstract phrases, acronyms and buzz words:

When you do this, it makes you look like you are trying too hard to impress the interviewer. It can also signal that you are trying to make up for shortcoming or a lack of knowledge.

7. “I don’t know”:

You should! Or at least you should know that you should never say this during your interview. Even if you are stumped by a question and actually don’t know, take a second to think about the question before answering.

8. “I don’t have any questions”:

A huge red flag. If you are serious about a position, you should have at least a question or two about the role or company – NOT “How much vacation time do I get?” or “When do my benefits kick in?”

 


SalesForce Search is a sales recruiting company which specializes in the recruitment and placement of sales professionals. We recruit sales people in every sector of the economy including, software, manufacturing, financial services and medical devices. Find the right sales person for your organization, start your search here.

Rhys Metler

Rhys is a tenacious, top performing Senior Sales Recruiter with 15+ years of focused experience in the Digital Media, Mobile, Software, Technology and B2B verticals. He has a successful track record of headhunting top performing sales candidates for some of the most exciting brands in North America. He is a Certified Recruitment Specialist (CRS) and has expert experience in prospecting new business, client retention/renewals and managing top performing sales and recruitment teams. Rhys enjoys spending quality time with his wife, son, and daughters, BBQing on a hot summer day and tropical vacations.

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