Market research jobs: War stories

Market Research Jobs: Recruiting War Stories

Our 10 Most Recent Jobs

Channel Sales Executive in TX - Austin (Remote) earning 135-165
 
Click to Play Video
Play
Search Hundreds of Jobs
Enter Optional Search Term:

We wanted to share some of the day-to-day stories about staffing and recruiting that you will find interesting. As the saying goes, "Truth is Stranger than Fiction" and based upon the current market dynamics among companies and candidates, this certainly appears to be true.

However, it might be best to read some of the entries below and then come to your own conclusion.

Sales Behavioral Interview Questions

May 7, 2021
Sales Behavioral Interview Questions

Are you in the process of looking for a sales manager or sales team member position? This may seem easy. However, unless you know how a person will interact with clients and team members, you may discover you have hired the wrong person. Thankfully, there is an simple way to see how a person will interact with others. All you need to do is ask them different sales behavioral interviews questions. There are quite a few different sales interview questions to ask candidates, so feel free to mix them up for any scenario.

Sales Behavioral Interview Questions

What is Your Process for Closing Sales?

This is an important sales behavioral interview question to ask, because it will allow you to determine if a person struggles with closing the deal. Every salesperson should have a strategy when it comes to closing sales. The people who have strong answers to this question will always have excellent critical thinking and problem-solving skills.

Have You Ever Lost a Sale or a Client? What Did You Do?

Everyone has lost a sale or client over the years. Anyone who tells you they haven’t are not being truthful, so you may want to think twice about a person who says they have closed every sale. A lost sale or client is always a learning tool and the way a person handles the loss is very important. The best answer to this question is always going to be how a person changed their tactics and improved on their skills to avoid potential losses in the future.

What is Your Daily Routine? What Organizational Skills Do You Use to Reach Your Goals?

Completing specific tasks each day normally requires a routine, as well as certain organizational skills. Ideal candidates will always be able to share their best skills and how they use them to submit their work by the deadline. If you are searching for a team member who can reach the goals you put in place, you must consider this sales interview question to ask candidates.

How Do You Prioritize All Your Clients?

Balancing clients is very tricky and new team members may struggle with this at first. If a person you are interviewing does not have excellent time management skills, they may not be the best person for the job. During the interview, a person must be able to tell you how they can juggle all their clients, while making each one feel as if they are the most important one.

What is One Sales Goal You Have Set for Yourself?

Every salesperson has goals that are above and beyond what their supervisors set. When you ask this sales interview question, you are going to expect to hear a personal goal and how that person worked hard to achieve their goal on time.

In the Past, Have You Ever Been Asked to Do Something You Have Never Done Before? If Yes, How Did You React and What Did You Learn from the Experience?

There are so many times when people need to step out of their comfort zones, especially when it comes to sales. If you have a candidate that cannot answer this question, it could mean they have done everything possible to not be put in this situation. This may not be a good thing for your business, because you never know when you will need an employee to think out of the box for the current situation.

Have You Ever Expanded Your Knowledge for Work Without Being Directed to Do So?

This is an extremely important sales behavioral interview question to ask, especially if you are looking to hire a sales manager. After all, you are going to want a strong leader who does not need to be told what to do every step of the way. Team members that expand their knowledge without being told are also excellent examples of who you may want to promote in the future.

Can You Tell Me About a Time When a Contact Person Changed for a Key Account You Were Working On? How Did You Handle the Change?

Change is always difficult. However, how a person handles that change is indicative of how they will handle future changes. The best candidate for the job will have an answer that includes how they maintained their performance and adjusted their approach to the needs of the new contact.

Can You Tell Me About an Approach You Took to Gain the Sale of a New Client?

One of the best sales behavioral interview questions to ask is how a person approached a new client and gained the sale. If this person comes to work with you, they will be working with a lot of new clients. You must know how they will interact with new clients now and in the future. Their answer to this sales interview question should also show you how persuasive they can be.

Sales Behavioral Interview Questions on Reeve & Associates

What Was the Most Time-Consuming Sale You Have Ever Made?

It can be difficult for a person to maintain a higher energy level when they are dealing with a time-consuming sale. Only a few people will be able to answer this sales behavioral interview question in a satisfactory way. The best candidates will be able to show you how their personal goals keep them going, so they can reach these results-driven goals.

Do You Currently Have Experience with Structuring Commission Plans?

The end goal of being hired as a sales team member is going to be the payment at the end. Not every salesperson is going to have experience with structuring commission plans. However, a sales manager should be able to answer this sales behavioral interview question easily. The people best suited for the job will be able to share the commission plan that worked best for them and their team in the past.

What is Your Process of Negotiating Terms with Clients?

Negotiating skills are a must for sales employees, so this must be one of the top sales interview questions to ask candidates. The best answers will include sharing the true value of products and why the client should be willing to pay the amount being asked.

What is a Presentation You Have Done that You are Proud of?

Presentations are done continuously by salespeople, so a person must be skilled at presentations to excel at their job. Every candidate should have one presentation that stands out the most in their mind. If a person cannot tell you about a presentation that they are proud of, they may not be very good at presentations or the job you have available.

These are the main sales behavioral interview questions you should ask when you are interviewing candidates for an open sales position. There are many others though, so you will want to consider what information you want to learn about each person you are interviewing. It is best to have a strategic plan when it comes to sales interview questions to ask candidates. We recommend having basic questions and then alternative questions to ask if you are having a difficult time deciding if a person is the right fit for your needs.

If you're interested in market research jobs, check our listings. We may have the right job for you already posted.

We at Reeve & Associates continue to innovate to provide creative recruitment ideas like our cost-saving Budget Recruiting. Give us a call and let's talk about Budget Recruiting: 203.968-2773. Relax and let us do the heavily lifting.

Virtual Interviews and What Type of Video Interview Background is Best

May 13, 2021

Video interviews are becoming more common these days. With so many people working remotely, a lot of companies do not have the option to bring potential employees in for an interview. And since even the bosses are working from home, there isn’t an office space to conduct any types of business. Therefore, virtual is the way of the future. When you decide to do a virtual interview, you must be slightly more prepared than you would be for in-person interviews. The video interview background is very important. If you normally work from your favorite recliner, you may need to create a virtual interview background that is more visually appealing than the back of your chair.

Video interview background became popular during Covid-19 shutdowns

Keep These Things in Mind when Searching for the Best Video Interview Background

We understand there is only so much space in your home. And that your home office may be the kitchen table or a small corner of your bedroom. You won’t want your interviewer to know that though. Just like you won’t want them to see your kids or dirty laundry.

Many people choose to set up their virtual interview space in front of a bookcase. This is an excellent option, because it shows you are quite intelligent and very well-read. Even if the opposite is true! We recommend choosing a bookcase that is not filled with books though. Too many books can be distracting to the interviewer, because they may be tempted to see what genres you read. If they find a book they consider questionable, it may cost you the position you are interviewing for.

It is best to have a few select books on the bookcase you are using for your virtual interview background. We recommend trying to choose books that fit with the job you are seeking, as well as a few uncontroversial bestsellers.

Sometimes, bookshelves are filled with souvenirs instead of books. You may think your souvenirs are amazing and excellent conversation starters. But they could be a distraction to the person interviewing you. This is especially true if that person loves to travel as much as you do.

 

It is best to limit your souvenir collection to a few key items, so the interview can proceed forward with limited interruptions.

Speaking of interruptions, there are going to be times when you must have a video interview when the rest of your family is home. In these scenarios, you may have no choice but to do the interview in your bedroom. After all, a closed and locked door equals minimal interruptions.

Speaking of interruptions, there are going to be times when you must have a video interview when the rest of your family is home. In these scenarios, you may have no choice but to do the interview in your bedroom. After all, a closed and locked door equals minimal interruptions.

However, there is no way the person interviewing you is going to want to see your bed. No matter how nicely your bed is made, it never belongs in a video interview background. If this is your only option for the location of the interview, start rearranging furniture. Or try to find an angle where your bed cannot be seen behind you.

 

The last thing many potential employers do not want to see when they are conducting virtual interviews is lots of clutter. So, no matter where you conduct the interview, you must put away that huge stack of papers, remove piles of clean clothes, and even make sure the dirty dishes in the sink are not showing. Basically, do whatever you must do to show an uncluttered video interview background!

Improve Your Video Interview Background with These Tips

Improve Your Lighting

Unless you have a ton of windows in the room you are interviewing in, you are going to need a little more lighting. You should be facing any natural light, while avoiding any sunlight that is shining through the same window. If you cannot set up your computer in front of natural light, you will need to make do with lamps. It is best to place those lights in front of you as well, so there are no shadows.

Check Everything in View of the Camera

As we mentioned above, the person interviewing you is not going to want to see a lot of clutter around you. Therefore, we recommend checking the entire area that can be seen on camera well before your video interview begins.

There should be no laundry hanging up, no clutter, and no artwork that could be considered questionable. Using your child’s room? Make sure those cartoon or concert posters are out of view!

The goal is to create a video interview background that is professional. Every company has their own standards when it comes to professionalism, but if you need to question an item, it is best to remove it.

Find Another Room for Your Pets

Yes, your pets are going to be cute. However, those same pets won’t be quite as cute when they are interrupting your interview. Barking dogs and cats walking on the computer are definite no-no’s for interviews.

Put Out a Do Not Disturb Sign

Even though you may tell your family that you have a video interview, they may not remember once it starts. And if you plan on doing this interview when you are home alone, you never know when someone may walk in the door early. Both these scenarios require a do not disturb sign on the door. This sign will let everyone know they shouldn’t bother you unless it is an extreme emergency.

Keep Your Cell Phone Out of the Room

Unless you know you have important information you will need to access during your interview on your cell phone, you should leave it in another room. This will prevent it from ringing or making other noises during your interview. While you can silence your phone, certain alerts may still come through. If you must have your phone with you, we recommend turning it completely off and placing it out of sight.

These tips should help you find the perfect video interview background. This will be helpful when you know you have an upcoming virtual interview and need to make a good impression. If you are still struggling with your virtual interview background, we recommend looking at your space like an employer would. This will allow you to see things that shouldn’t be there when your interview takes place. So, keep things professional and get the job you have been waiting for!

If you're a market research professional and your current compensation falls below the 2021 benchmarks, please give us a call at 203-968-2773 to discuss your particular situation and career aspirations. It may also be helpful to submit your resume so we have a detailed understanding of your education and professional experience.

If you're a hiring manager or HR professional, please consider the above current metrics when planning or extending offers. Please call us at 203-968-2773 so we can help you find the ideal candidate and suggest a competitive compensation that will be accepted. Our Budget Recruiting solution will save you time and money -- allowing you to successfully staff your open position with quality candidates.


Prior Stories:

Methods of Consumer Research and Reasons It is Important for Your Business on March 31, 2021

Creative Recruitment Ideas Introducing Budget Recruiting on March 19, 2021

What to Expect During a Phone Interview with a Recruiter on June 8, 2021

How to Do Market Research for a Startup on April 30, 2021

Market Research Types on April 27, 2021

Market Research Methods on April 21. 2021

Top 5 Tips for Candidates on 6/12/2025

Recruiting by the Numbers on 10/03/2018

7 Steps to Earn What You Are Really Worth on 09/10/2018

Streamlining the Interview Process on 08/01/2018

Interview Regarding the State of MR Hiring and Staffing on 05/15/2019

Calculate the Cost of Delayed Hiring on 05/15/2018

Selecting the Right Salary for the Job on 04/15/2018

The True Cost of Delayed Hiring on 02/15/2018

Where Should You Be with Your Recruiting Benchmarks on 01/15/2018