7 years ago
June 9, 2017

4 Words (or Phrases) to Avoid in a Sales Interview

Have a sales job interview coming up? Here are 4 Words (or Phrases) to Avoid in a Sales Interview.

Claire McConnachie Recruiter
Claire McConnachie

Everything you say in a sales job interview matters. Everything from your first interaction with the receptionist until you walk out the door is a test, and people are listening. While there are some obvious things that you should never say in an interview, such as cursing, there are other less obvious things that could hurt your chances of getting a call back or job offer. You may not even realize you are saying things that could impact your interview effectiveness.

4 Words (or Phrases) to Avoid in a Sales Interview

Here are 4 common words or phrases you should avoid using during a sales interview:

1. Certainties

Nothing is guaranteed, and using certainties in job interviews could hurt your chances. “Words that deal in absolutes, like ‘always’ or ‘never,’ should be carefully used in an interview. Very few things in life are absolute, and that is especially true with people in the business world,” says Scott Rawitsche, co-founder of Collaborative Business Solution, on Business News Daily.

2. Clichés and buzzwords

Using clichés, insider terminology and buzzwords will not impress your interviewer. It could actually do the opposite. Rather, focus on communicating in an engaging tone, one that will leave a lasting impression on the interviewer for the right reasons.

3. “I think…”

Using the phrase “I think” can make you seem like you are not sure about what you are saying, and it can make you appear less knowledgeable. Saying ‘I think’ instead of ‘I know’ or ‘I believe’ subtly communicates a lack of confidence. So many job candidates are uncomfortable talking about themselves. Most people are afraid of being seen as bragging, and that can keep them from sounding confident when they may be a perfect fit for the job,” says Kim Thompson on chron.com.

4. Non-negotiable

Everything is negotiable. Saying that something is non-negotiable or a deal breaker is something you should never use during a job interview. Using this terminology could come off as overconfident or crass. It could also rub the interviewer the wrong way and give them the impression that you are not a team player and could be difficult to work with.

More Sales Interview Tips

7 Unprofessional Habits That Kill Your Chances of Getting the Sales Job

3 Ways to Sell Yourself in a Sales Interview

Top 10 Questions Sales Headhunters Ask

 


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.

 

Claire McConnachie Recruiter

Claire McConnachie

Claire has 4+ years of experience in sales and recruitment. As a Director of Client Services, her main objective is to connect great people to great companies by building strong relationships with both top clients and candidates in the sales industry. She specializes in sales roles of all seniority levels for both enterprise and start-up clients North American wide. When Claire isn't networking with top talent, she enjoys being outdoors, traveling and spending time with friends & family.

salesforce-popup