I have an interview coming up

[jiacinto]

An insurance company wants to interview me for an outside sales position.

What should I expect? The interview is on Tuesday.

[HEyHEY]

1. ever done sales before?

[jiacinto]

3. I have worked in retail

So I wonder if that counts at all. I have dealt with the public before.

[HEyHEY]

7. what you will be doing is a million times different

I just quit a sales job..I was doing okay money wise, but I couldn't handle the boss. Working retail you have people coming in to your store...so bang you already have them. They came to you. Cold calls are different..you are going to them, and trying to sell them something they never knew they wanted.

Expect pressure. Expect frustration. Do not expect people to know what you know, do not expect them to be polite (Most of them will be but don't expect it). ANd don't expect your first sale for at least a couple of weeks.

[jiacinto]

12. Ok

Well that assumes I get the job and that I like the company.

[HEyHEY]

13. Ask THEM the questions

Ask where they get their leads. Ask about the pay, what happens when you leave. DO some research yourself too.

[jiacinto]

15. Ok

I will look at the company's web site.

[HEyHEY]

17. Do google search too

See if they are scum or not....maybe an old newspaper article or something will appear...good luck if you choose to accept it.

[Drifter]

2. Is it cold ?

Being in an outside sales position in the winter could be cold.

:scared:

Cheers
Drifter

[lcordero]

6. He lives in Florida:)

[Mikimouse]

4. Commission or salary, or both?

n/t

[jiacinto]

5. I guess I will find out when I interview

nt

[patdem]

9. Good luck...and Insurance is a GOOD thing!

The insurance industry is betting you will NOT die or in any way NEED insurance..the person purchacing the policy bets they WILL die or have some reason to use insurance...it is really a GOOD deal for the insured since he WILL need insurance at some time...the only bet with the insurance company is he/she will not need it before he/she pays for it!!!

I worked for insurance companies...and I LOVED the work...I was an actuarial researcher..it was a wonderful industry!

[Mikimouse]

11. Base salary with a percentage commission is good, especially

if there is a year end bonus connected with your margin. The margin, by the way, is a reflection of the actual cost of manufacturing versus what you ultimately sell the product for. The better your margin (selling above the manufacturing cost), the better your bonus at the end of the year. If you are going to be making in-person calls, try to establish an equitable reimbursement for travel (if you use your own vehicle), but try to get a company owned and insured vehicle if it is possible. Good luck:hi:

On Edit: Just now saw the Insurance reference. Margins still apply, just will be calculated differently. All other comments apply as before

[jiacinto]

14. Ok

That assumes I get the job.

[KG]

8. you don't want to do this.

trust me on this one.

[jiacinto]

10. Why not?

nt

[Terwilliger]

16. tell them you're just like Joe Lieberman

they'll snatch you right up

[Loyal]

18. blah

ok

[Terwilliger]

19. blah on you

and everything you think

[Loyal]

24. haha

ok, terwilliger. *smile*, then keep waving. :) :hi:

[jiacinto]

20. kick

nt

[HalfManHalfBiscuit]

21. If you take the job, a good tip from Jim Rome (sportscaster)

Go to Applebees, wherever, for lunch and grab all of the business cards out of the fishbowl. When the boss asks if you had any sales, drop down the cards and show him all of the contacts you made. Then you have 50+ local people to cold-call.

[jiacinto]

22. That's if I get the job

or even like it. nt

[jiacinto]

23. kick

nt