You’ve gone through the first formal interview and nailed it. However, now you’ve just received a call from the hiring manager that they want you to complete a sales interview presentation before you receive a job offer. As if the interview wasn’t nerve-wracking enough, you’re now asked to push yourself even further to achieve your dream job.
However, it’s pretty standard for roles to require an interview presentation because it tests the skills of their potential employees, so they know they’re investing in their ideal candidate.
Plus, depending on the role you’re applying for, this skill might be absolutely essential. Especially since 70% of all jobs involve some form of public speaking. Employers want to make sure that you’re able to perform the same way you interview.
In this article, we’ll deep dive into what an interview presentation is, how you can prepare and deliver a killer presentation, and the steps to take after the presentation.
What Is a Sales Interview Presentation?
A sales interview presentation is an opportunity for you to show your skills through a live demonstration. Whether this is a sales pitch or product, employers want to see how competent and confident you are speaking in front of others while presenting the information.
The sales interview presentation is a salesperson’s chance to prove themselves and their selling skills since that’s what they’ll have to do within their job duties.
Asking the right questions, providing the best answers, and delivering an engaging sales pitch can all lead to success in this crucial part of the sales process. So if you want to get that job offer, here are eight steps that will help you ace your next sales interview presentation out of the park!
1. Understand What’s Expected from The Presentation
When you’re told that you’ll need to present a sales interview presentation, you’ll want to take the time to ask the hiring manager for some more information.
- What are the sales goals?
- What type of product will you be presenting?
- How long should your sales presentation last?
- Will you be able to use a digital display, or is this an informal speaking presentation?
Make sure that you understand the audience for the presentation. This way you know the expertise level and knowledge they will have about the topic you’re presenting on. From there, you’ll be able to put together a presentation that fits your potential companies needs.
2. Add Visual Aids to Your Presentation
Visual aids can genuinely make the sales interview presentation come to life! Employers want to see how well you can communicate. Using visuals will only enhance your presentation and the amount of engagement on your proposal. However, it’s essential to know your audience and what type of content will hold their attention. For example, you don’t want to show funny images to a serious crowd.
Use a PowerPoint or Keynote with images that complement your message, data tables highlighting numbers and statistics, or even a funny meme. Anything visual should go on slides during your sales pitch, so employers get an idea of who you are as a sales professional. The more interactive your presentation is, the better it’s going to drive home what you’re saying at any given moment in time.
3. Make A List Of Go-To Questions
Presentations usually end with questions, so make sure you’re prepared to answer any inquires on your content. If you’re not confident in your sales skills, now is the time to brush up on some sales questions that might come up.
Here are a few examples of sales-specific questions you may be asked after your presentation:
- What’s the key benefit or feature?
- How does this product compare with our competitors?
- When will it be available for purchase?
- If someone buys one today, how much more could they save by making a larger order over a more extended period?
Being prepared with extra information will show that you can handle objections and questions without a problem.
4. Dress The Part
Wearing appropriate attire is crucial if you plan on getting through this part of the sales process unscathed. Of course, business attire is the best option, but it’s always better to be overdressed than underdressed.
Dressing well will also help you feel more confident and professional, making a sales presentation even easier to deliver confidently. Plus, if you’re interviewing for a sales position, then this should come as second nature anyways!
5. Practice Your Presentation Out Loud To Yourself
Especially when it comes down to public speaking, practice really does make perfect. So practice your sales pitch out loud, either in front of a mirror or preferably someone else who can provide feedback on your delivery skills and pointers that you may have missed during preparation. If something doesn’t seem to flow, change the wording or content to make it more exciting for your audience!
Ensure all of these elements are covered when you’re practicing: introduction, product information (including features/benefits), closing questions, and a call to action. You’ll want to give it your all to show how you can become a valuable asset to your future company, and being prepared helps you to do just that!
6. Prepare Your Notes
When you’re presenting a sales interview presentation, it’s essential to have your notes in front of you as well so that the information is fresh and easy to remember. In addition, this will make for a more straightforward sales pitch because there are fewer worries about forgetting key points or getting lost during the presentation.
The easiest way to prepare your notes may include writing them at the bottom of your digital slides, keeping content on your slides as a reminder, or writing on notecards.
7. Stay On Topic
When you’re creating your presentation, you want to ensure that you’re staying on topic and that you’re keeping your presentation as brief as possible. In addition, ensure that you’ve covered all of the sales points and have reinforced your main point at the end.
It’s essential to be concise because it will help keep your audience’s attention. They won’t get bored by a lengthy sales pitch or presentation, but if too much information is given, there may not be enough time for them to soak in what you’re saying, leading to frustration on both ends.
Consider the 80/20 Rule
You’ll want to ensure that 80% of your slides are informative and insightful, while 20% of your slides are challenging and thought-provoking. This will ensure that your sales pitch is appealing to most people who are listening while still challenging them to think about what you’re saying.
It’s important not to give away too much information or oversell anything. You want employers asking for more instead of falling asleep or tuning out your presentation.
Delivering Your Presentation
On the day of, you’ll want to make sure to arrive early to the sales presentation. This will give you time to check in, set up your PowerPoint or Keynote, and use the restroom if necessary before it’s time for your sales interview.
The first few minutes of a sales pitch are crucial– they’ll help set the tone for everything that follows, so make sure you’re prepared mentally and emotionally as well as physically before walking into your presentation.
Make eye contact, speak clearly, and don’t be afraid to use your sales skills- they’re what got you this far! Some other tips you should remember during the day of your presentation:
- Stand up straight and tall with your arms at your sides, not crossed
- Keep a firm handshake
- Smile often! This will put the interviewer in a good mood.
- Don’t forget to ask questions to keep your audience engaged with your content.
If It Doesn’t Go Well: Don’t Panic!
No matter what happens during sales presentations, don’t panic. If something unexpected happens or mess up, don’t worry- sales are full of surprises! Instead, take a deep breath, restart where you left off, and continue with your presentation.
Making a mistake doesn’t mean that you won’t get the job. Instead, it’s more important how you move forward from messing up. Don’t be afraid to apologize if you need to. You can even ask for feedback on how you can do a better sales presentation in the future from your interviewer.
What To Do After the Presentation
After the sales interview presentation, it’s essential to follow up. Follow-up may include thanking them for their time and asking if they have any additional questions before you leave. They may even schedule a second sales demo with someone else in the company who makes the final hiring decision.
This is also an opportunity to ask about the next steps so that you know how long this process will take at the other end (and whether there are any potential issues). Following up can show initiative on your part as well, which might make all of the difference when it comes down to getting hired!
Get Your Dream Job by Shining During Your Presentation
If it’s not already evident by now- public speaking is no easy task. Especially when it’s to impress your future boss and co-workers. But, thankfully, there are plenty of ways that sales professionals and sales managers alike can make their sales pitch more effective.
A few key points include:
- Practicing out loud.
- Preparing notes beforehand.
- Staying focused and concise during presentations (though not too much).
- Being professional during all phases of the job interview process and following up after any sales presentation opportunity.
Get Your Dream Job Today with Sales Recruiters Dallas Inc
If you’ve been searching for the right sales job for a while, you might not know where to find the perfect match. From searching for the right companies to creating resumes and answering the right interview questions, it can be hard to ensure you get your dream job. Thankfully at Sales Recruiters Dallas, we’ve got you covered!
A sales recruiter can be your best sales ally for landing your next dream job. We dedicate ourselves to sales, so we know what sales jobs are available and the process involved in securing that sales position. With our deep industry knowledge of sales, we can help you with your resume or cover letter.
If you’re looking for your next career move, contact us today at Sales Recruiters Dallas, or browse through open jobs to find the position of your dreams!