A sales candidates resume will tell you about the sales experience of an applicant and other work related information that might impact performance in the sales position you have open. If the candidates smart, the resume will also highlight past successes in glowing terms. However, just because it is written in the resume, doesnt mean what is written there is true or that the candidate can repeat the successes that are listed or attain the performance levels again for you. What is vital for you to learn in selecting a candidate for an open sales position, is how well a candidate will perform in a job like the one you are trying to fill. Often a employment interview will never even touch on the candidates competence for the new position. Questions are rarely asked of how the candidate might perform in the new job, if the applicant is selected for the position. If the candidates are applying for a opening with new responsibilities or a new product or service line, different from what they have sold in the past, whats to say they have the untested skills to do this job for you. As discussed in earlier myths, most interviews seem to focus on the functional skills that you can measure. Does the candidate have the needed degrees, licenses and training? Do they have experience or will they need to be trained? Most interviews focus on what an applicant has done in other jobs similar to the position you have open. Theres this illogical conclusion that if they succeeded in the past, they will succeed again. And if a candidate is good at describing past successes, they will do the same for your organization. Past performance is no guarantee of future success. What is really important is how you evaluate an individuals competencies, defined as the skills, knowledge and personality needed to do the job that you are trying to fill. To learn more about the do's and the don'ts of hiring sales professionals, check out my new manual 101 Sales Management Myths at: http://www.TheSellingEdge.com/myths4.htm |
Author Bio:
Virden Thornton
Serving Discriminating Clients Internationally Since 1983
Virden J. Thornton is the founder of The $elling Edge?, Inc., a training and development firm, specializing in sales, telemarketing, customer relations, and management training, coaching and marketing advisory services. He has trained, coached and advised literally hundreds of clients, including Sears Optical, Eastman Kodak, Northern Uniform Supply, The Texas Independent Banker's Association, Deloitte & Touch?, Smith Barney, Jefferson Wells International, The Government of The U. S. Virgin Islands, First National Bank of Arizona, City Laundering, Co. and Wal?Mart to name a few.
Virden is the author of Prospecting: The Key To Sales Success, A Realtor's Success Formula, Organizing For Sales Success, and "best sellers" Building & Closing the Sale, 101 Sales Myths. His audio/video tape series entitled Close That Sale, is based on his 50 Minute Series manual Closing: A Process Not A Problem--published by a division of Thompson Learning. He has also authored a client acclaimed self-directed learning series of sales, coaching, customer service, telemarketing, and personal productivity training manuals, outlined in the Books & Manuals section of this site. Virden has a degree in communications (public address emphasis) from the University of Utah.
As a consultant and trainer, Virden has been retained by dozens of banks, savings and loans, and credit unions to help them move from operational, order taking cultures to proactive sales and cross-selling organizations. He has literally trained thousands of sales representatives and managers in businesses as diverse as distribution, auto sales, printing, eye care, uniform and linen rentals, manufacturing, and many others. Virden also specializes in training, coaching and advising service industry professionals (accountants, attorneys, engineers, architects, financial planners, stockbrokers, etc.) in the fine art of "business development."
Virden has taught small business courses at Lorain County Community College in Elyria, Ohio, a bank sales curriculum at the Center For Professional Development, Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texas and a short course on selling at the School Of Entrepreneurship, J. Willard And Alice S. Marriott School off Management at Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah.
Virden and his wife Barbara reside in Avon Lake, Ohio and are the parents of ten children.
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