Those of you in Sales jobs

[HurricaneHeather]

I have an interview tomorrow for insurance sales job and this is my first real sales interview. I've had sales jobs before but I stumbled into them and never really had a serious interview.

Do they really do the whole, "sell me this pen" nonsense?

Any advise would be appreciated. :D

[Cutty72]

Never had a manager have me try to sell them anything during an interview

My advice. Go in, be yourself, be honest, and smile!

[karl_1052]

Low cut+cleavage=sale

:boobs::boobs:

[HurricaneHeather]

Low cut+cleavage=sale

:boobs::boobs:

:lol

It is a dude I am interviewing with.....:whistle:

[Papa_Complex]

I have an interview tomorrow for insurance sales job and this is my first real sales interview. I've had sales jobs before but I stumbled into them and never really had a serious interview.

Do they really do the whole, "sell me this pen" nonsense?

Any advise would be appreciated. :D

Give them the pen free, with a service plan purchase.

[Tsunami]

:lol

It is a dude I am interviewing with.....:whistle:


Then totally bear those boobies! Be personable, confident and smile alot.

I've always been in sales or customer related jobs, never been asked to sell a pen.

Give them the pen free, with a service plan purchase.

Great idea!

[OneNotSoSickPsycho]

I'm in sales, and you don't need to sell them anything in an interview. It definitely helps to look cute (well, just don't look like a slob, but I'm sure you'll be fine, lol).

Of course, be yourself and they will probably ask you to name a point in your life where you got rejected in some way and how you dealt with it (pretty much, let them know that rejection won't kill you).

You should be fine. It's a really easy job to get if you know how to make conversation. Do some research about the place and ASK QUESTIONS! They will be very impressed. If you don't know any to ask, here's a site that will help you.

http://www.careerbuilder.com/Article/CB-664-Getting-Hired-The-Best-Questions-to-Ask-in-the-Interview/?ArticleID=664&cbRecursionCnt=1&cbsid=7655da6cf2244ab48e019400d4b5852f-305221560-JE-5&ns_siteid=ns_us_g_questions_to_ask_in_a_

Good luck!

[Particle Man]

I have an interview tomorrow for insurance sales job and this is my first real sales interview. I've had sales jobs before but I stumbled into them and never really had a serious interview.

Do they really do the whole, "sell me this pen" nonsense?

Any advise would be appreciated. :D

what types of insurance?

[HurricaneHeather]

I always make a list of questions to ask when I go to interviews. The last one I went to was so informal that my list of questions seemed really out of place. I had it all printed up with the name of the company and my interviewers names at the top...I'm such a dork. :lol:

I was reading about sales interviews and several different places mentioned 'sell me this pen' crap and I started to think that if this guy wants me to do that, I don't think I'd want to work for him. :shrug: Seems lame to me.

I work in HR now, so interviews are nothing new to me, I just was totally confused when I started reading up on sales job interviews.

Thanks for the advise folks! I'll take all I can get.

[HurricaneHeather]

what types of insurance?

It's a big company that does life, auto, property, etc.

I really wanted to focus on auto and possibly bike insurance. I really want to eventually do all bike and see if the company I work for will sponsor a race bike for me. :lol: Think I should say that in my interview? :lmao:

[NeonspeedRT]

Me personally, i'd run away if it's insurance sales. I work in the insurance industry (underwriter for a major financial & insurance company) and deal with insurance reps all the time. After a few years here I decided to see what the sales end was like. There is the potential to make somre really, really good money.

The interview was long and drawn out. There was questions about reading, writing, and math. I did great on everything. Then the clincher came. Before my next interview I had to get a list of 100 family members & friends. Then I had to get each of them to refer me to two people. These would be my initial "leads" to start out with.

I'm sorry. No amount of money will make me piss off my friends and family like that. It's one thing if I was in insurance sales and they came to me or referred people to me. I'm not going to solicit friends and family from day one. Sorry.

[101lifts2]

Me personally, i'd run away if it's insurance sales. I work in the insurance industry (underwriter for a major financial & insurance company) and deal with insurance reps all the time. After a few years here I decided to see what the sales end was like. There is the potential to make somre really, really good money.

The interview was long and drawn out. There was questions about reading, writing, and math. I did great on everything. Then the clincher came. Before my next interview I had to get a list of 100 family members & friends. Then I had to get each of them to refer me to two people. These would be my initial "leads" to start out with.

I'm sorry. No amount of money will make me piss off my friends and family like that. It's one thing if I was in insurance sales and they came to me or referred people to me. I'm not going to solicit friends and family from day one. Sorry.

Go in the phone book and start with the letter F....

[OneNotSoSickPsycho]

It's a big company that does life, auto, property, etc.

I really wanted to focus on auto and possibly bike insurance. I really want to eventually do all bike and see if the company I work for will sponsor a race bike for me. :lol: Think I should say that in my interview? :lmao:

Honestly, If he's cool enough, I don't see why you shouldn't spark up some bike conversation. But the interview probably won't be so formal to have a TYPED paper full of questions. Just go in prepared and confident.

I think you'll do fine!

[Particle Man]

It's a big company that does life, auto, property, etc.

I really wanted to focus on auto and possibly bike insurance. I really want to eventually do all bike and see if the company I work for will sponsor a race bike for me. :lol: Think I should say that in my interview? :lmao:

ah. Ok. For Life , do you have your NASD licenses? You'll need a Series 6 if you plan on selling Mutual Funds or Variable Annuities and/or a Series 7 if you plan on selling General Securities...

that will probably be a question you're asked. Some companies will allow you a grace period to get them depending on your experience.

Next question: since you mentioned "big company" is this a job for individual sales or for Group sales?

[HurricaneHeather]

Me personally, i'd run away if it's insurance sales. I work in the insurance industry (underwriter for a major financial & insurance company) and deal with insurance reps all the time. After a few years here I decided to see what the sales end was like. There is the potential to make somre really, really good money.

The interview was long and drawn out. There was questions about reading, writing, and math. I did great on everything. Then the clincher came. Before my next interview I had to get a list of 100 family members & friends. Then I had to get each of them to refer me to two people. These would be my initial "leads" to start out with.

I'm sorry. No amount of money will make me piss off my friends and family like that. It's one thing if I was in insurance sales and they came to me or referred people to me. I'm not going to solicit friends and family from day one. Sorry.

I have been told that before, but I've also heard from others that they didn't have to do that. I think it might depend on the company?

I asked about whether or not I would need to produce leads myself or if I would be given assistance and he told me they would give me 1000 leads to work from. I am not sure what that really means, but I guess I'll find out.

[HurricaneHeather]

ah. Ok. For Life , do you have your NASD licenses? You'll need a Series 6 if you plan on selling Mutual Funds or Variable Annuities and/or a Series 7 if you plan on selling General Securities...

that will probably be a question you're asked. Some companies will allow you a grace period to get them depending on your experience.

Next question: since you mentioned "big company" is this a job for individual sales or for Group sales?

I don't have the licenses and they know I don't. I was very clear about that and there seemed to be no problem.

It would be individual sales from what I understand, but I will get more clarification tomorrow. I talked to the assistant today, not the guy doing the hiring, so I didn't get all the answers yet.

[Tsunami]

I always make a list of questions to ask when I go to interviews. The last one I went to was so informal that my list of questions seemed really out of place. I had it all printed up with the name of the company and my interviewers names at the top...I'm such a dork. :lol:

I was reading about sales interviews and several different places mentioned 'sell me this pen' crap and I started to think that if this guy wants me to do that, I don't think I'd want to work for him. :shrug: Seems lame to me.

I work in HR now, so interviews are nothing new to me, I just was totally confused when I started reading up on sales job interviews.

Thanks for the advise folks! I'll take all I can get.

Usually the sales managers i have worked for are all cracked out. Actually alot of sales people i know are all cracked out. My last interview I barely got a word in as the manager was more interested in hearing himself drone on. Then he asked me if its something (the job) I would like to do, I said yes and he hired me on the spot.

Mostly they want to see if you are confident (will be able to ask for the sale), won't be easily intimidated, and can think quick to overcome objections and rebuttals. And they want to make sure you look normal and presentable also you don't scare off potential customers.

I have a great interviewing manual if you want me to email it to you. Its not sales specific though. I never really had to use it but there is some great info. If you are not too familiar with the sales cycle, look up some info on how to close sales. I lot of times I come across super nice people that drone on and on and talk themselves out of the sale (giving too much info for the customer to come up with objections) rather than just be quick and seal the deal.

That's the only thing I can really think of, is that they might ask you about your sales style. Also if you have a proven track record of pulling in revenue. If you were #1 salesperson for the month, or always hit 110% of quota or whatever, then tell them that. But then also if you did that well, you need a reason why you are no longer in that position. If you are not in sales now, you need a reason why you want a sales job and why you would be good at it.

[Captain Morgan]

Me personally, i'd run away if it's insurance sales.

ah. Ok. For Life , do you have your NASD licenses? You'll need a Series 6 if you plan on selling Mutual Funds or Variable Annuities and/or a Series 7 if you plan on selling General Securities...

that will probably be a question you're asked. Some companies will allow you a grace period to get them depending on your experience.

Next question: since you mentioned "big company" is this a job for individual sales or for Group sales?

I have been told that before, but I've also heard from others that they didn't have to do that. I think it might depend on the company?

I asked about whether or not I would need to produce leads myself or if I would be given assistance and he told me they would give me 1000 leads to work from. I am not sure what that really means, but I guess I'll find out.


I was an agent for awhile. I agree about staying away from the sales side. Getting leads is a pain in the ass. Yes, you can make great money at it, but only after you've been doing it for many years. Make sure you have PLENTY of money saved up to live on (preferrably 2 years FULL salary, if not more) and expect to go into debt for your business. Do as much research as you can on how the company helps new agents.

Are you going to be a scratch agent? ie, do you start from scratch or will you start off with a book of business? This is very important. If scratch, save lots of money before hand, as mentioned above.

If you start out with a book, do you have to buy that book? Can it be done in installments or is an upfront fee necessary?

I would highly recommend buying a book of business, if at all possible.

How does the company help you out? Do you get any type of salary, or is it more of a loan that you have to pay back if you don't meet certain numbers or if you quit before a certain amount of time?

Is there a district office that you will work out of to start, or will you have to find your own place? Or does the company mandate where your office will be located?

If it's a big company, I imagine you can only sell their policies. This is also an important piece of info to have. What are your limitations while working for this company?

I hope you like making cold calls and getting out into your community. If you're not a super social person, then insurance sales really isn't the thing to go into. Good luck, whatever you choose.

[shmike]

ah. Ok. For Life , do you have your NASD licenses? You'll need a Series 6 if you plan on selling Mutual Funds or Variable Annuities and/or a Series 7 if you plan on selling General Securities...

that will probably be a question you're asked. Some companies will allow you a grace period to get them depending on your experience.

Next question: since you mentioned "big company" is this a job for individual sales or for Group sales?

Why are you bringing up securities?

She'll be doing P&C with a side of Life. NO NASD required.

I wouldn't worry about the license, the hiring company will set her up. If you can't pass a state insurance exam, maybe fast food would be a more suitable career. :lol:

[HurricaneHeather]

I was an agent for awhile. I agree about staying away from the sales side. Getting leads is a pain in the ass. Yes, you can make great money at it, but only after you've been doing it for many years. Make sure you have PLENTY of money saved up to live on (preferrably 2 years FULL salary, if not more) and expect to go into debt for your business. Do as much research as you can on how the company helps new agents.

Are you going to be a scratch agent? ie, do you start from scratch or will you start off with a book of business? This is very important. If scratch, save lots of money before hand, as mentioned above.

If you start out with a book, do you have to buy that book? Can it be done in installments or is an upfront fee necessary?

I would highly recommend buying a book of business, if at all possible.

How does the company help you out? Do you get any type of salary, or is it more of a loan that you have to pay back if you don't meet certain numbers or if you quit before a certain amount of time?

Is there a district office that you will work out of to start, or will you have to find your own place? Or does the company mandate where your office will be located?

If it's a big company, I imagine you can only sell their policies. This is also an important piece of info to have. What are your limitations while working for this company?

I hope you like making cold calls and getting out into your community. If you're not a super social person, then insurance sales really isn't the thing to go into. Good luck, whatever you choose.

I will definitely make sure all of these questions are answered when I go to the interview. Thanks! I see interviews as a time for me to interview the company as well, so if I don't like it, I don't have to proceed. :dthumb:

[HurricaneHeather]

Holy mother of god I have had 5 calls from different places wanting an interview and 4 emails. I just posted my resume yesterday on CareerBuilder. I'm taking my phone # off the site. :lol:

That is just stupid and annoying. I'll just go to this one interview and if it doesn't sound like something I want to bother with then I'll try something different.

[OneSickPsycho]

I have an interview tomorrow for insurance sales job and this is my first real sales interview. I've had sales jobs before but I stumbled into them and never really had a serious interview.

Do they really do the whole, "sell me this pen" nonsense?

Any advise would be appreciated. :D

Some do the 'sell me this pen' thing... Actually, I know some of my people do it. I don't beleive it is nonsense, but I do think it might highlight an inexperienced interviewer.

The purpose is to see if you can think on your feet and bullshit. If you can sell a medium tip BIC ballpoint pen with ergonomically friendly comfort grip design and an industry leading ball bearing tip that smoothly flows a seemingly endless supply of vivid blue ink - you know, the type of pen that basically writes FOR you... you can probably jazz up an insurance policy enough to make someone raise an eyebrow.

[OneSickPsycho]

Holy mother of god I have had 5 calls from different places wanting an interview and 4 emails. I just posted my resume yesterday on CareerBuilder. I'm taking my phone # off the site. :lol:

That is just stupid and annoying. I'll just go to this one interview and if it doesn't sound like something I want to bother with then I'll try something different.

That will stop after a day or two... and wait... isn't the point of posting your resume on one of those sights to have people calling you?

[Particle Man]

Why are you bringing up securities?

She'll be doing P&C with a side of Life. NO NASD required.

I wouldn't worry about the license, the hiring company will set her up. If you can't pass a state insurance exam, maybe fast food would be a more suitable career. :lol:

depending on the "large company" in question they often pair Life with annuities and such.

But I haven't been doing it for the past 8 years I guess. *shrug*

[EpyonXero]

That will stop after a day or two... and wait... isn't the point of posting your resume on one of those sights to have people calling you?

Yeah but a lot of times you get a bunch of BS calls.

[Homeslice]

I always make a list of questions to ask when I go to interviews. The last one I went to was so informal that my list of questions seemed really out of place. I had it all printed up with the name of the company and my interviewers names at the top...I'm such a dork. :lol:

I was reading about sales interviews and several different places mentioned 'sell me this pen' crap and I started to think that if this guy wants me to do that, I don't think I'd want to work for him. :shrug: Seems lame to me.

I work in HR now, so interviews are nothing new to me, I just was totally confused when I started reading up on sales job interviews.

Thanks for the advise folks! I'll take all I can get.

Consider it payback for all the people YOU interviewed when you were in HR, even though you weren't the actual hiring manager and didn't know shit about the job responsibilities redflip :lol:

[zer0t]

I don't have the licenses and they know I don't. I was very clear about that and there seemed to be no problem.

It would be individual sales from what I understand, but I will get more clarification tomorrow. I talked to the assistant today, not the guy doing the hiring, so I didn't get all the answers yet.

don't worry licenses are easy to get. I have a 10, 24, 55, 63 and 7. I can barely read.

[shmike]

depending on the "large company" in question they often pair Life with annuities and such.

But I haven't been doing it for the past 8 years I guess. *shrug*

No reason to get snippy.

Most of the large companies offer some type of securities product these days. Not a single one requires new hires to have any licenses, not even to work exclusively on that side of the business.

She is going for an insurance interview, there is no reason to have her worried about all the possible tests, certs, CE, compliance, etc. that she may or may not have to do in the future.

NASD = FINRA. I constantly trip up. Old acronyms are hard to break. :lol:

[HokieDNA01]

I am in sales and really enjoy it. I didn't have to sell anything to the interviewer. Actually I saw a leather jacket and boots in the HR managers office and all we did was talk motorcycles for over an hour. The Area VP was a challenging interview because he really wanted to see how ambitious I was and also asked me about my work flaws. I did have to take a personality test as well as an intelligency test which serprised me but they went fine. Just be yourself and give honest answers. If you are a "people" person that is self driven, you will fit in sales just fine.

[HurricaneHeather]

Well, I ended up postponing the interview anyway. I have a lot of work today and I don't really want to try and leave work early....and I am driving to Missouri tonight(11 hour drive....maybe 12 with the slow ass truck we are taking). I decided I was too distracted to try and worry about an interview today.

don't worry licenses are easy to get. I have a 10, 24, 55, 63 and 7. I can barely read.

:lol

I was never worried about the licenses....everyone says they are ridiculously easy to get.

Yeah but a lot of times you get a bunch of BS calls.

Yeah, they sound like sales calls coming from a telemarketer....no thanks.

[Particle Man]

don't worry licenses are easy to get. I have a 10, 24, 55, 63 and 7. I can barely read.:lmao: sounds about right

No reason to get snippy.

Most of the large companies offer some type of securities product these days. Not a single one requires new hires to have any licenses, not even to work exclusively on that side of the business.

She is going for an insurance interview, there is no reason to have her worried about all the possible tests, certs, CE, compliance, etc. that she may or may not have to do in the future.

NASD = FINRA. I constantly trip up. Old acronyms are hard to break. :lol:not snippy ;)

And you'd be surprised how many people with their certifications don't know what 'FINRA' means :lol: (hence why I end up calling it NASD still)

I was only asking because that helps to understand what the structure of the questions will be, not trying to scare her :D