My Sales Career

Mairead Griffin has compiled this extensive company research checklist before that all important interview. Not all the points may be relevant to the role you are going for interview but she certainly gives plenty of food for thought on how well you should be prepared in today's competitive job market.

When implemented in a unified and comprehensive manner, this 5-step "Power Plan" has been shown to produce outstanding results within a short period of time. If you can master these strategies and use them consistently over the long term, the bad economy and job market won't be quite as challenging for you. This will ensure that you'll reach your full career potential in 2010, in 2011 - and for the rest of your working life!

From the outset whether you are dealing with an agency or directly with an organisation, salary, benefits and where you pitch yourself can be the difference between getting to interview stage or not. Here are some tips

In the current economic climate, it is vital that individuals from all backgrounds are thinking strategically about their careers. Up-skilling or retraining is key for future career success. Whether you are in employment or actively seeking new employment or a change of career direction, further education & development something that will impress any current or potential employer

Your job search is dead in the water, even though you have done everything you can think of to find a new position. You have written an excellent CV and you have used all your network contacts. It did not work. Now what do you do?

‘Well that’s a blunt title’ you might be thinking.  However, in today’s climate of rising unemployment from all industries, and levels, there is a growing resentment mostly from management, and not unknown throughout other levels of the work force, in having to explain themselves at interview.  What does this mean?

Imagine the situation: You have beaten off stiff competition and have been short-listed for the Key Account sales job you’ve always wanted. The role is challenging. The company is a leader in its field.  What’s more, the package is great and there are excellent promotional opportunities. You’re really excited about your prospects! What next!

Never has a good resume or CV been more important. If you've lost your job recently, you will probably need to re-brand yourself to get back into the job market, as an exact vacancy similar to the one you've left is unlikely to exist elsewhere. A great CV goes much further to make it stand out from the rest.

Gaining control over your finances is of paramount importance when the future is a little uncertain. There are many ways to combat this challenge and of course there can be unique aspects to each person’s situation. As experts in change management, we have years of experience helping people come to terms with a job loss and the financial strains that can come with this experience.

Recent surveys conducted by online jobs group SalesJobs.ie, revealed key findings for Ireland's hiring/firing and cost cutting plans for 2009 disclosed.
 
From the ground level, confidence remains high for 2009.

Finding a job can be a job in itself. But what you may not realise is that it’s a sales job. To convince hiring managers to invest in the product you’re pitching — you — it’s important to take full advantage of every marketing tool at your disposal. 

Top Tips on how to structure your Sales CV to catch the eye of future employers.

Most sales people are expert at preparing client proposals, designed to portray the product, sales person and company in the best possible light and to be informative in terms of pricing, product comparisons and details of ongoing costs and after sales service. Indeed it is used to pre-empt questions prospective clients might have on a company’s reputation, warranties, delivery times and service level agreements. Therefore, if we agree when it comes to changing jobs; that we now become the commodity been sold, why is it our CVs let us down?

Spend some time practicing your answers to the questions below. If you can answer them, it is unlikely you will be faced with a question at your interview that you cannot respond to effectively.

How many of us would not like a salary increase? Very few I suspect. Statistics show that on average most people will get a pay rise of about 3.5% in the year ahead. If you think you deserve more than that, here's how to approach your boss. (And if you are the boss, then here's what to watch out for!)

SalesJobs.ie has recently conducted a survey of over 7,000 sales professionals on the topic of socialising.

It covered questions on social networking to the traditional pints after work. The survey has thrown up some very interesting results...

Your CV has done its job. Now only the interview lies between you and the role of your dreams. You want to do the perfect interview, but fear you will dissolve into a mumbling nervous wreck.

The path to the perfect interview starts well before you shake the interviewer’s hand. Preparation is key. Preparation means;

• Knowing the key points you want to communicate.
• Having strategies to keep your nerves under control.
• Doing proper research.

Ability Tests, Psychometric testing, competency based interviews..Do these terms scare you? Paul Mullan of measurability gives a quick overview of interview techniques you may come across from employers today.

Closers Club Event Pictures

Many of Ireland’s top Sales Professionals attended the SalesJobs.ie launch of ‘The Closers Club Seminar’ held in October 2007. Here are some pictures of the night

[ Download/View File ],



Listen to Lets Talk Money - 15 Min Presentation

Lets Talk Money

Paul Lanigan - Managing Director of Sandler.ie

Paul Lanigan is Managing Director of the Sandler Sales Institute in Ireland. Paul has over a decade of international sales experience with both large multi-nationals and small start-up organisations.

[ Download/View File ],



Listen to Getting That Appointment - 15 Min Presentation

Getting That Appointment

David Malone- Managing Director of Evolve.ie

David is the founder and Managing Director of Evolve. He has been in the training & consultancy industry since 1995

[ Download/View File ],



Listen to Stop Selling Start Networking - 15 Min Presentation

Stop Selling Start Networking

Sean Weafer Founder of  FirstCoach.com

Seán Weafer is recognised as a leading management performance coach and mentor, dividing his time between his practice in Dublin, Ireland and more recently, in London, England.

[ Download/View File ],



Listen to Negotiating That Pay Rise - 15 Min Presentation

Negotiating That Pay Rise

Denise Airlie- Brightwater Recruitment

Denise manages the Sales & Marketing division in Brightwater. A CIPD graduate, with over 15 years experience in recruitment, she has managed projects for IT and Sales & Marketing professionals in a wide range of sectors including Manufacturing, ICT, telecoms, financial services and semi-state bodies.

[ Download/View File ],


Negotiating a Pay Rise

NEGOTIATING A PAY RISE

Employer & Employee perspective

Job Exit Strategy – A Poor Exit can Cost Sales Professionals

There is a time when every working relationship comes to an end but the question remains - can you ever make a clean break? The simple answer is that you won’t know until the situation arises. Breaking up can be a testing time but it is intensified in the case of sales professionals.

Internet Job Boards: What Most People Do Not Consider

Using Internet job boards to post your resume and/or search for jobs is something that can help supplement a job search when you are also utilizing more traditional methods.

3 Deadly Mistakes to Avoid at Interview

Interviews are full of potential pitfalls and hurdles that jobseekers can trip up on. Awareness and preparation can help navigate and avoid these traps and ultimately increase your chances of success.

Did you Hear the One About the Salesperson who Couldn’t Sell Themselves

How many great sales people struggle to perform at interview? These individuals are more often than not carving out successful careers selling a variety of products and services but when it comes to an interview and selling themselves they crumble. Read Paul Mullan, Director of Measurability outlining some classic mistakes.

2007 Sales Jobs Closers Club Seminar

Many of Ireland’s top Sales Professionals attended the SalesJobs.ie launch of ‘The Closers Club Seminar’ held in October 2007.

 

The evening seminar was a great success. For those of you who were unable to attend we have compiled a podcast recording of the speakers presentations. Listen to Ireland's top Sales Trainers tips on Appointment Setting, Asking For Money, Networking and Negotiating A Pay Rise.

The Sales Jobs Closers Club

Welcome to the SalesJobs.ie ‘Closers Club’ Members Page

 

Launched in 2007 ‘The Closers Club’ is a loyalty club that upwardly mobile sales professionals can join, benefiting from club member discount offers.

Manpower Mature - the specialist recruitment division for older workers

   Manpower Ireland, Ireland’s leading provider of workforce solutions, has established a specialist recruitment division Manpower Mature specifically for older workers and companies who are ready to tackle Ireland’s aging workforce.

 

 

Negotiating Not Just A Salary

We have all been there, the end of the interview and it comes to salary discussions. What you think you are worth and what your new employer is willing to pay are sometimes miles apart. Celtic careers have briefly outlined a few hints on how best to deal with negotiating your salary for your new job.

The Role of a Recruitment Consultant

The recruitment industry has long been criticised by both clients and candidates for a lack of ethics. It is a burden that we carry and often have to justify. The reputation that you build as a recruitment consultant will stay with you for years to come.

Changing Sectors

There is no doubt about it that the change between sectors can be a difficult one to manage. We often ask ourselves- Am I going to continue what I have been doing for the rest of my working life? Is a change feasible?  How do I make the transition and how do I do it quickly with the least pain possible! Caitlin O’Connor, Director Accelerating Performance lays out the foundations of how to go about changing sectors

 

Sending Your CV to a Recruitment Agency – How To Get the Best Response
It’s happened to us all. You have just sent out your CV outlining your stellar sales career to date, now all you have to do is sit back and wait for the offers to start flooding in  – But nothing happens…no response...not even one call!! Niamh O’ Brien from IRC outlines how to achieve the best response possible from recruitment agencies and get the recognition your CV deserves.

How To Get The Best From Your Recruitment Consultancy - Niamh O'Brien IRC
The following are some helpful hints to ensure you can best find work through a recruitment agency. While the services of many agencies are similar it is important that a job–seeker fully utilises these services and works in partnership with their chosen agencies.

The Interview : A Science of It's Own

So you’ve landed an interview.  Terrific!  It’s a difficult market that we find ourselves dealing with in Ireland these days both from a Candidate and Client perspective.  Candidate’s have a wide choice of opportunities.  However, bagging the right role is easier said than done.  All the more reason for plenty of preparation.

"So Tell Me About Yourself . . . " Answering the Question with your Two-Minute Pitch
Your Two-Minute Pitch is the back-bone of your search--you'll use it in job and networking interviews, and in cover letters. You'll be ready when someone says, "So tell me about yourself."



How to Target the Job You Want

A job target means selecting a specific geographic area, a specific industry or organization size, and a specific position within that industry. A job target must have all three.

The Secrets of a Successful Sales CV

Your CV is your tool to sell yourself. A great sales CV needs to be results-orientated, emphasising how you contributed to your employers success. By proving your ability and demonstrating your record of achievement you immediately have an advantage over other candidates

How to Dress for a Sales Interview - For Women
You’re ready for the interview. You’ve got the skills, the experience, and a list of industry connections that people would kill for….but do you look like someone whom this employer wants representing them to the world?

Success Through People -Interview Training™

The Success through People -Interview Training™course is designed to equip you to make the best possible presentation of yourself at interview. The course provides you with a series of easily retainable concepts and models which allows you to proactively handle your interview, rather than leaving success or failure at interview in the hands of the interviewer. The end result is ‘you in control of your interview’.

CV Search Facility - Get Head Hunted?

The new online ‘CV Search’ facility is for both the Employer and Sales Job Seeker.  Companies can now 'Headhunt' the right sales professional for the job by searching for suitable candidates from our ‘Opt In Searchable Database’ and contact them directly. Sales Candidates can tag a CV profile as viewable and let potential employers come to them.

Google - A Great Place to Work

So what is Google? After doing some research, I discovered a little more about the company.  OK, we all know that Google is the world’s biggest search engine but it’s more than just another brand.  I learned that it reflects a culture; a way of life within a global community.

Job Board Network - Broadbean

SalesJobs.ie is a linking network member of the Broadbeans job board network which feeds to literally hundreds of employment sites, from national to local and many niche.

Advantages of A Selling Career

Rodney Dangerfield built his entire career on a signature tag line: "I get no respect." Unfortunately, there are far too many salespeople who suffer from the Dangerfield syndrome - either they feel they get no respect or, worse, they act that way. They walk around with sullen expressions and a woe-is-me outlook. They are selling sympathy rather than solutions. If we are describing you, study this list carefully. Hold your head high and reflect the pride of your profession. Selling really is a great field. It has advantages that few other careers can claim.

Upload Your CV and Let Employers Come and Find You
Make sure your CV is uploaded on SalesJobs.ie and let the site work for YOU to obtain your sales career goals.

Getting Started In Sales By Mark Mitchell
For people who are looking to enter sales as a profession and DO NOT have sales experience these are some tips for entry into sales as a profession for a junior with no experience.

How To Benefit From A Recruiter's Service - Mark O'Donoghue
Take responsibility for managing your own career by partnering with an experienced recruiter. Start looking at your career from a long term perspective and make a decision today to find and choose a recruiter to guide you towards career success.

How To Get Headhunted - Sean Finnegan - Richmond
Manage your public profile Attend conferences and tradeshows relevant to your industry or area of expertise. Listings in the associated publications (trade show catalogues, directories) are a great way to gain publicity. Many events publish the biographies, and recruiters screen these announcements.

A Career Path in the Pharmaceutical Sales and Distribution Sector
Distribution & Sales provide a wide variety of opportunities for both Scientific and Medical Graduates and for those with backgrounds in Business, Retail and Marketing. As our economy becomes wealthier the amount of spend in this sector will continue to grow and thus is likely to remain an area that provides good job opportunities.

Getting The Sales Job You Want by Mark Burgess
Getting the Sales job you want! The economy is booming and many companies are expanding and re-structuring, which creates new opportunities in the market place for quality sales individuals.

How To Prepare For A Behavoural Interview
What can you expect during your next interview? The question “where do you see yourself in 5 years?” Maybe, but not likely. You will more than likely be exposed to behavioural based interview questions. During such and interview the emphasis will be on gaining behavioural examples, examples that will predict future performance based on past performance.

Getting Your Personality Across at an Interview
Congratulations you have reached the interview stage, you can deduce several things from this. Firstly that the company are interested in what you have to offer, they have read your CV and covering letter and they have liked what they has seen. You will also have lost much of the competition, as only approximately 15% of applicants reach this stage.

Typical Interview Questions
Typical sales interview questions and best responses Tellme about yourself. Keep your answer to one or two minutes; don`t ramble. Do not go back to childhood experiences, just give a brief outline of where you are from, and where you want to be going. Use your CV introduction as a base to start.

Talking the Talk - Top 10 Interview Tips
As a good salesperson you prepare for your sales meetings and know how to close the sale. The same principles apply to getting the job offer - preparation, practice and product knowledge.

Why People Move Jobs
Aside from simple career opportunities, the majority of candidates move jobs because they are seeking a different working environment and corporate culture. This is the main finding from a new research project by recruitment specialists, Search Consultancy.

Networking For Shy People

Here’s the paradox: networking is by far the best way to learn about other companies and new job opportunities, but few job seekers want to do it. The main reasons include..

Sage Company / Sales Job Profile
Sage provides a full range of accountancy, payroll and contact management products and services for SMEs and practice management solutions for accountants. They develop their own products internally and sell them primarily within the Irish market.

Royal Liver Company / Sales Job Profile
Royal Liver established for the mutual benefit and financial security of local families back in 1850, we have continued to thrive ever since.

Psychometric Testing - by The Forte Institute
The Forté Institute have been providing psychometric testing in Ireland for the last 15 years. My work with them has been to train customers in the use of such tests and to advise them on how to get the maximum benefit from their investment.

Reference Checking-Road to Riches or Route to Ruin - Sue Mulhall
You are good at your job. You have spent time developing your client base and providing a quality service to your customers. Your successful track record is rewarded by a job offer from a competitor. Do not let this opportunity erode the trust that you have built between yourself, your Sales Manager and your network of contacts. How do you ensure that your referees do not slam the door of opportunity shut?

Telesales/Telemarketing As a Career by Barry Clarke of Telecanvass
O.K let`s keep this basic, I was first introduced to the world of Telesales and Sales in the late 1980`s answering a classifieds for Telesales Executive with Olan Mills, some will have heard of them, they sell budget priced studio packages for family photographs.

Writing Winning Cover Letters by People Matters Ltd
Your cover letter should immediately capture the readers’ attention so that your potential employer turns the page and reads your CV. Upon reading, your future boss should know how you would be of benefit to their business.

Interviews For High-Powered Success by High Performance
Congratulations! You’ve been called for an interview.  If you haven’t already prepared thoroughly there’s no time to lose. 

Irish Sales Professionals - The Key Facts

SalesJobs.ie the No 1 Jobs board for sales professionals in Ireland conducted a survey throughout early January this year of its 3000 members. From the statistics compiled we define a profile of the Irish sales professional and came up with some very interesting facts

New Year - New Sales Career? By Greg Dalton

Are you are one of the majority, stuck in the wrong Sales job or you have moved from job to job throughout your career searching for the right job for YOU? Is it now time for you to put some structure into your career?

A Sales Career - Have You Got What It Takes? By Ronald Hughes
So you think you have got what it takes to be a sales person.  Anyone who can think, speak and listen can be a sales person, but being a successful sales person requires quite a bit more.

The Top 10 Steps to a Job-Winning Interview by Greg Dalton
Greg Dalton of Q1etc suggests to us his top ten steps to winning your dream sales job.

Ask these 10 Questions Before Taking that Sales Job
Salespeople are prone to accepting the wrong jobs. Maybe it`s because they tend to be overly optimistic and see only the good until it`s too late. Or it may be because they`re customers at heart who appreciate a good pitch.

Job Hunting Vs Career Management - Rohan Manahan of Fortify Services
It is my considered opinion that job-hunting is for dummies and that smart people career-hunt. Job-hunting is tactical, reactive and myopic. Career management is no longer the province of Ivy League alumni or of those born with silver spoon in the mouth; it has become a survival skill akin to basic literacy, good grooming and polished interpersonal skills.

A Career in Merchandising -
Whether you’re buying in a supermarket, a high end fashion outlet or a DIY superstore, chances are that a merchandising team has directly influenced your buying decision.

Sales Interview Guidelines by Mark O'Donoghue of Sales Appointments
The “Halo Effect” refers to the fact that we judge people within the first few seconds of meeting them. Verbal exchange between two people forms only 7% of the total communication being exchanged. You can use these rules to your advantage by adopting the following behaviours:

A Hiring Manager’s 11 Tips on Landing Your Perfect Sales Job
What is it that companies are looking for when they go to the market to hire a sales rep? How can you be sure to land that perfect job? What is the definition of your perfect job? This article will answer those questions and give you 11 tips to help you land that perfect role enabling you fulfill your ambitions.

Define Your Skills By Derek O'Reilly
The biggest trap that most people fall into when job hunting is to sell themselves short! So how well do you sell yourself?

Your Sales CV Has 7 Seconds To Get That Interview
It`s not hard to create a really great resume. Picture yourself as the reader, after the first few paragraphs this prospective employer needs to think, “Wow, this is exactly the salesperson I`m looking for!

Your Cv Your Sales Brochure by Sue Mulhall of People Matters
The only criteria of success that you should use for your CV is ‘does it get me the interview?’ To get an interview your CV must demonstrate a match between the job requirements and what you have to offer. It is your personal sales brochure tailored to the needs of your future boss.

TalkingCV
  TalkingCV is a 3 dimensional personal profile that will make you standout from the crowd.

Job Alerts - The Most Effective Way to Job Hunt
Are you using SalesJobs.ie resources as best as you can? Whether you are currently looking for a job or just want to keep your finger on the pulse of industry movements, let SalesJobs.ie do the work for you. Set up Job Alerts with SalesJobs.ie we will notify you when positions become available in your required industry.