10 months ago
May 30, 2023

6 Sales Phrases that are Interview Killers

Do you feel like you are having good sales job interviews but for some reason you are not getting a job offer? It could be some of the things you…

sales recruiter Liz Vixner
Elizabeth Vixner

Do you feel like you are having good sales job interviews but for some reason you are not getting a job offer? It could be some of the things you are saying during the interview. There are certain sales phrases that many recruiters would consider to be an interview killer.

But don’t worry, we’re going to let you know about the top things that you should avoid saying in your next sales interview. Here they are:

1. “I’m not a big people person”

If you are not a people person, then you may be in the wrong industry. Sales is all about people, communication, and building relationships. Even if you don’t see yourself as a people person, don’t openly say it during a job interview.

2. “I’m not a fan of cold calling or prospecting”

Let’s face it – cold calling and prospecting is not exactly the most exciting thing in sales. We would all love sales roles where endless leads flow in. But the reality is that most sales jobs will require you to cold call and prospect whether you like it or not. So, learn to tolerate it at least and accept it as part of your role.

Phrases that are Interview Killers

3. “I prefer to work alone and don’t enjoy collaborating with teams”

In most companies, sales is a team effort. Teams work collaboratively to meet sales targets and achieve their defined goals. Whether you like to work alone or not, you’ll need to come to grips with the fact that you’ll need to be a team player.

4. “I’m not good with rejection”

Rejection is a normal part of sales. You’re going to get rejected, turned down, and told no a lot more than you’ll hear yes. You have to get used to it and understand how to properly handle rejection and objections. You’ll encounter them all the time.

5. “Sales is just transactional for me”

Sales is no longer just about the numbers. Successful sales companies look beyond the transactional nature of their interactions with customers and look to build long-term relationships. This is how you make long-term clients.

6. “I’m not big on following up with leads or prospects”

Most customers are not ready to buy when you first engage them. Building trust and getting a sale takes a series of interactions and conversations. It takes even more time as the potential deal increases in value. If you don’t follow up, you could be leaving a lot of business on the table.

Everything you say matters during sales job interviews. Avoid saying any of the above and other things that could cause you to fall out of favour with the interviewer.

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SalesForce Search is a sales recruitment agency that specializes in hiring sales rockstars. Hiring top salespeople is tough. Only 55% meet their quota. Our proactive approach recruits talented salespeople before they hit the market. As North America’s leading sales headhunter we recruit salespeople in every sector of the economy including, software, manufacturing, financial services and medical devices. To find your next sales rockstar, start your search here. Did you know SalesForce Search is an IQ PARTNERS company?

sales recruiter Liz Vixner

Elizabeth Vixner

Elizabeth is a sales recruiter that has led and developed multiple top sales teams in Canada in the Automotive, Retail, and Sports Industries. With 6+ years of corporate sales experience, she knows what separates a good salesperson from a great salesperson. She holds a Bachelor of Business Administration with a Specialization in Marketing and Accounting with Honours from the Schulich School of Business at York University.

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