What are some tips for a retail sales position interview?

Interview tips for sales director? HELP!!?

• I am trying to land a Director of Sales position with a hospitality company. Any tips for the interview? the interview will be with the current Director of sales, a woman who is ...show more

• Answer:

  Exactly how to stand out really depends on what you can highlight in your past experience. What have you done that's directly related to what you'd be doing in the job you're looking for? If you have past accomplishments that are noteworthy and can highlight them in an interview without coming across as arrogant, then that's your big selling point. It's hard to strike a balance between underplaying your achievements and sounding full of yourself, but if you can strike the right line and have good past experience to back you up, it's golden. Beyond that, there are always the general tips. Dress neatly and professionally, carry any materials you need (an extra copy of your resume, and any other relevant papers, etc) in an organized fashion, and conduct yourself confidently and courteously. Make sure you've done some research into the company and position so you can address specific aspects of what you'll be doing if it comes up. Respond thoughtfully to questions, and generally remind yourself that you want to come across as someone who fits what they're looking for. Since you got the interview in the first place and you want the job, you're clearly already partway there. Asking good and thoughtful questions is always a good idea, too; it shows that you're listening to what the other person has been saying, that you're attentive to detail, that you're interested in knowing more, and that you aren't afraid of asking questions when you need to know something. I've never looked much into that particular kind of position, but I think that's all good advice for any interview. To be perfectly honest, I have a ways to go before I perfect all of that advice for myself, but it's what I strive to do in an interview and from the point of view of the employer, it all makes perfect sense. In any interview, the person you're talking to wants to know A) That you are qualified for the job and would be a good fit for the position, B) That you are interested in the job, and C) That you will be tolerable to work with. So if you keep those in mind, and present yourself as nicely as you can, you might impress them without even realizing you have.