Question

Topic: Career/Training

Interview Questions

Posted by Anonymous on 8/14/2007 at 9:47 AM ET 25 Points
We are striving to improve our candidate interview process. It is essential that we find strong, precise interview questions that can be utilized and would yield a high caliber candidate.

Where can I find some key interview questions for individuals being hired in telemarketing?
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RESPONSES

  • Posted on 8/14/2007 at 10:16 AM Author
    Steve, you are 100% correct. Voice quality and tone are essential. However if we have past that stage what questions can provide a better understanding of the candidate to determine a good fit into position/company?
  • Posted on 8/14/2007 at 10:29 AM Member
    Hi all,

    As Steve said to check the tone of the voice I agree but prefereable I will suggest a person with a good telemarketing skills thus; able to convience a consumer within a short space of time. for eg. I can ask a candidate to sell a ball pen to me hence you have to check first if the buyer really needs a ball pen and which type he/she needs etc. Charles. Geneva Switzerland.
  • Posted by Jay Hamilton-Roth on 8/14/2007 at 12:41 PM Member
    Seth Godin answered this question a while back with some sage advice:

    https://sethgodin.typepad.com/seths_blog/2006/09/the_end_of_the_.html
  • Posted on 8/14/2007 at 1:17 PM Author
    Jay, thank you for your submission. However, after reading his article and a few others that counter his thinking, I think that Seth may be too short sighted or tunnel vision in his approach to the hiring process.
  • Posted by michael on 8/14/2007 at 8:28 PM Member
    Ask your team leaders. They are the ones who are "stuck" with a bad hire.

    "So...Bill, how long did it take you to realize this person wasn't going to succeed here. What was it that stood out?"

    Michael
  • Posted on 8/16/2007 at 9:50 AM Member
    Ask the applicants:

    What kind of books do you read?
    What do you want to do in 5 years?
    What do you know about (name the business)?
    Describe your best friend.
  • Posted on 8/19/2007 at 10:07 PM Accepted
    One of the products we offer is The Sales Hiring System.

    We customize the hiring process for each position be it inside or outside sales, one-call-close versus a complex sale, as well as many other variations.

    Advice I can give on hiring for any position is:

    * When teaching our clients how to hire for Sales, it is quite important to be consistent. Have your list of questions ready and ask the same questions of each candidate.

    * Designate a pre-determined grading scale. Grade the resume, references, and each question consistently and then utilize the cumulative score to determine your best candidates.

    * Use scenarios to find out how the Manager reacts to situations specific to your culture, products, and problems.

    * Make a list of qualities your organization looks for in qualified candidates, then develop questions that bring those traits to the surface.

    * Ask candidates to write a business plan on how they plan to increase sales.

    Just a few of the questions should include:
    • What are your revenue and quota responsibilities?
    • What are your methods to dealing with a poorly performing salesperson.
    • What are the sales techniques you most often use.
    • When was the last time you attended a sales training seminar?
    • What were the last sales and or leadership book you read? Tell me about it.
    • What if any magazines do you subscribe to? Which ones do you feel most valuable to you, and why?
    • How many sales reps are in your region? How does your team rank within the list?
    • How many sales reps are you currently managing? Of those reps how many are over quota? What is the quota on average for all candidates for the last year?
    • Describe your management approach.
    • How do you target new customers?
    • What techniques do you recommend for territory management?
    • Describe your approach to building a sales team.
    • What traits are important to you in your salespeople? Why?
    • Tell me about the most competitive situation you were ever in and how it turned out.
    • What are the buying signs you watch for and those you teach your sales people?
    • How do you feel about our product/service?

    I am sure you have already thought about this, but be sure to AVOID some questions that can get you in to trouble like:
    • Do you have children, spouse
    • Are you pregnant?
    • Are you single?
    • When were you born?
    • What is your religion?
    • What do you think of the president?

    ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++Positive Results provides training, consulting, keynote speaking and specializes in B2B sales management, CRM/SFA consulting, mystery shopping, and sales hiring insuring you get and keep top-producing sales professionals.

    [URL and phone number deleted by staff]
    ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++


    Another link is:
    [URL deleted by staff]
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