6 years ago
May 18, 2018

How to Win a Second Chance After a Bad Sales Job Interview

Everyone is susceptible to having an off day. No one is perfect. You just don’t want that bad day to happen when you have an important job interview scheduled. Occasionally,…

Rhys Metler

Everyone is susceptible to having an off day. No one is perfect. You just don’t want that bad day to happen when you have an important job interview scheduled.

Occasionally, even with strong preparation, something just goes wrong. You don’t provide the best answers, your energy level is low, you fail to connect with the interviewer, or you are just not yourself.

The more you want a job interview, the more pressure you can put on yourself to be at your very best during job interviews. However, this stress and anxiety can negatively impact your performance during a sales job interview.

But even if you’ve had a bad sales job interview, you still have the opportunity to win a second chance if you take the right approach.

Tips to Get a Second Chance After a Bad Sales Job Interview

Most people assume they have one, and only one, chance at a sales job interview. This is not always the case. Often, if a company or sales recruiter believes you are a strong candidate, they may be willing to give you a second interview, even if you feel like you’ve blown the first one.

Here is what you need to do:

1. Take a Deep Breath and Regroup

Before you do anything, take a little time to decompress from the interview. Reflect on the interview. Was the interview actually as bad as you thought? Or are you just overreacting? Your perception of the interview and what the interviewer thinks can be very different. You also don’t know how the other candidates fared.

Remember, this is only one opportunity and there will be others, so don’t beat yourself up about it.

2. Find an Internal Advocate

If you know someone within the organization, consider reaching out to them to get the inside scoop on your interview performance. Express to them that you had an off day and really want to work for the company. See if they can get you a second chance.

3. Ask for a Second Chance

If you think you failed to represent your best self, the best thing you can do is to be honest. Don’t give up. When sending your ‘thank you for the interview’ note, explain the situation and ask for a second chance. The worst thing that can happen is they say no. But they could also say yes.

More Sales Job Interview Advice From Sales Recruiters

3 Brilliant Interview Tips to Answer ‘What Motivates You to Sell?’

Dropping Out? 5 Elegant Ways to Drop Out of a Sales Job Interview

Oh No, I’m Fired! What Do You Say in Sales Interviews?

 


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.

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.

salesforce-popup