In today’s remote work environment, online interviews are the norm, but many candidates mistakenly believe that these interviews rely solely on verbal communication. In reality, virtual interviews, especially for Sales & Marketing roles, require a much more comprehensive communication strategy. Effective communication is key to standing out, and if you’re not using all the tools
With remote interviews now commonplace, it’s vital to treat them with the same professionalism as in-person meetings. Especially for customer-facing roles like Sales & Marketing, the way you present yourself online is often the first impression you’ll give of how you’ll represent the company. So, how can you make sure that you’re not only prepared
The Challenge This Question might seem like a straightforward way to assess the value proposition of Sales & Marketing candidates, however, it puts the burden entirely on them and doesn’t foster a two-way conversation. Furthermore, this question plays into the hands of male candidates who are typically more aggressive at self-promotion which can lead to
In my Q2 Market Insight Report I outlined the positive market growth that we’d been seeing in 2024. Now, accompanying this growth and just as welcome, is the overwhelming feeling of stability that we’re experiencing over the same period. I don’t want to tempt fate, but even if growth is relatively muted, continued stability offers
The Challenge The questions “Where do you see yourself in 5 years?” is a relic of a bygone era where jobs were seen as lifetime commitments. Although higher employee turnover is seen as a challenge for businesses, simply asking Sales & Marketing candidates directly about their future intentions is not always a good indicator of
The Challenge Hypothetical questions like “What would you do if…?” might seem like a good way to assess a candidate’s commerciality, creativity or decision-making abilities. However, these questions don’t reflect real-world situations. It’s easy for a candidate to imagine themselves responding heroically in a fabricated scenario, but this doesn’t necessarily translate to how they would
The Challenge Leading questions are a trap for unsuspecting interviewers because they provide clues about the desired answer and make it easy for Sales & Marketing candidates to fabricate answers that align with your expectations. These often start with phrases such as, “Tell me about an occasion when…”, then proceed to give prompts about the
The Challenge Generic questions like “Tell me about yourself”, “What are your weaknesses?”, or “What are your strengths?”, are interview staples. However, these questions have become so overused, Sales & Marketing candidates often have canned responses prepared and as such they offer little genuine insight. Consider how many times you’ve asked someone what their weaknesses
The Challenge The temptation to launch into casual conversation at the beginning of an interview is understandable. It can help break the ice and build rapport. Given how this is something that candidates often have to do when undertaking commercial roles, it forms an important element of their interview. However, excessive small talk can introduce
Conducting interviews with sales and marketing candidates can be challenging. Traditional practices often fall short, sometimes leading to biases or even accusations of illegality. Here’s how to avoid common pitfalls and gain valuable insights to identify the best commercial talent. Steer Clear of Needless Small Talk Starting with small talk can build rapport, but it
