A strong sales culture has never been more important. For many aspiring sales professionals, it’s not all about the money. While compensation is definitely important, many sales candidates are willing to sacrifice some pay to work for a company with a great culture.

However, it’s important for candidates to be able to separate fact from fiction when looking at a company’s sales culture. What you see is not always what you get, and you have limited time during the interview process to determine whether or not the company offers a good work environment.

“Candidates need to identify certain red flags and warning signs to make sure that culture they find themselves in is the one they signed up for before it’s too late,” says Jared Lindzon on Fast Company.

To help you make the right decision for your career, especially if you are giving up some money to join an organization, our sales recruiters have put together some creative ways to spot a bad sales culture from your job interview.

1. Consider More Than the Perks

Sure, perks are great, but are you prepared to give up a higher salary to work for a company because they have a ping pong table in the lunchroom? Are these perks and benefits just a way to appease the sale team and mask real issues with company culture?

2. Read Between the Lines

Look deeper than the surface level when considering company culture. Pay attention to what people are saying. Do they have a positive tone? Do they seem overworked? It’s important to read between the lines and identify whether or not the perceived company culture is the actual culture in practice. A sales recruiter or company website can tell you all about how good a culture is, but do you get the same impression when talking with employees and other people you meet during the interview process?

3. Read What People Are Saying About the Company Online

Connect with the people you meet during the interview. Check them out online to see if they are actively involved with the company. Do they follow the company social pages? Are they engaged? What do other people online have to say about the company? Does the company have good customer service reviews? What information can you gather online that will tell you more about the company culture?

Read More About Sales Culture & Interview Tips From Sales Recruiters

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“Explain something to me.” Clever Ways to Answer This BIG Question in a Sales Interview

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