some people say "do not lie on your interview blablabla", but being a sales person who did not meet targets (say: they were unrealistic and the top sales person made 60% only) you have actually NO CHOICE but to lie you met them. NO RECRUITER WILL BOTHER to sell you to their client saying, you are good, your boss was stupid setting unrealistic targets etc. let's be honest, who will employ a sales person who did 25%-60% of targets ?? and let's be honest, targets is the most important thing they will ask you as a sales person. there is no trick, that you will say you did £500k which may be impressive and get away with no response to question to if you met targets. it is stupid, it is sad, but you have no choice but to lie. is there any recruiter who can disagree with that?
214485
I wouldn't lie directly if they ask you, but if there is a way you can not say that you didn't meet those targets, take it. I would explain how much you did in sales on an average. If you have to, explain that the top person was only at 60% of targets.
258510
You should not state how much you want to make on your coverletter, or how much you made at previous jobs on your resume, unless this is requested. You should not bring up money on the first interview. I have noticed that they will tell you a bit about benefits and salary at the end of the interview. Ask them when they are planning to make a decision. That way they will tell you when they want to finish interviewing and hire, or if they are planning second interviews with top candidates. It may seem like a "waste of gas", but at least your getting interviews. I know some people looking for jobs that haven't even got many of them.
220286
Sorry, but yes, I think you messed it.... don't tell your plans to any interviewer if they don't benefit the company, it's like showing your cards in a poker game.\n\nGood luck for the next time.
325577
bull$hit.\n\nno hiring staff ever said that to an interviewee.\n\nyou're so full of $hit your eyes are brown.
642333
I have been the interviewer at job fairs myself, and my policy is to tell someone up front if they are "not quite what we are looking for" for whatever reason.  Everyone is different, however it sounds as if to me you have been put in a small pool of applicants from which they fill whatever available openings there are.  You have a very good chance of being hired, but nothing is etched in stone until you are actually on the job.\n\nAs a general rule, the majority of interviewers at these fairs are Human Resources people and do an excellent job of sorting through the flood of applicants, but they are never the ultimate judge of who is hired. Normally this information is fed back to the department heads, if not even lower level supervision, who ultimately decide.\n\nThe important thing for you at this point is to keep looking! You may have the job locked solid, have had your application thrown away, or anything in between. Continue your search, as you have nothing to lose. You may actually find a position that you like better, and if not, at least you have expanded your network for future use.   Good luck! I know the waiting is tedious, but the right job will come along in time!
70561
You work on commission. Is it a good idea? only if your personality fits that job. You could be having a hard time working at that place and have a hard time making money if you don't sell. You CAN make lots of money, it's just, it's risky, because if you don't sell, you don't eat.
599365
It can consume your life.  It's not the type of job you put down when you go home.  It's always on your mind, also.  "I hope I get that big account.", "I haven't met my personal sales goal", "I could still be at the office preparing a better sales pitch".  Etc.  It's never-ending.  In sales, you always have to worry about getting clients, and once you get them, you have to worry about keeping them happy.  With other jobs, you have certain tasks to complete.  Therefore, you can finish them, and go home feeling like you have done your job.  This makes sales unattractive.  Also, many people don't like the commission-based pay system sales jobs have.  They want to know exactly what their income will be each month.\n\nSalesmen are viewed in a negative light because they are after everyone's cash.  They pretend to be your best friend, take you out to dinner, give you some free MLB tickets (if you're their client), and then expect you to commit to the sale because they have schmoozed you.  They look desperate and they'll do anything to sell to you.  Not appealing to many people.
620848
Honesty is best. Tell why you fell that way. What traits do you model about them that will benefit the job you are applying for....Stuff like that
106543
Call reports are a good idea, just as long as you follow up and check on a few.  People are less likely to not tell the truth if they might get caught.  \n\nWhat I would suggest is that you provide a compensation package that is full of incentives.  Most salesmen (in my experience) work just as hard as they think they have to in order to make what they feel they have to make.  Make some of the incentives related to just getting meetings with prospective clients.\n\nAlso, manage the numbers.  If a reps performance doesnt tie in with normal business trends then make a trip with them and go on some calls with them.  Spending $1000 on a trip that will eventually have you terminate an ineffective rep will save you money in the long run.
225252
You're not.\n\nExcept for high-level executive positions where salary is extremely negotiable, companies today pretty much have all the market salary data on a position and unless it's a very small company, they will just make an offer at the market level.\n\nHere's a tip though - they usually make you an offer at the lower end of a $5k range, usually to give themselves room if you decide to negotiate.  So you can basically negotiate up by about $5k, but not much more than that, because they've done their research too.\n\nWhat you don't have to worry about is companies lowballing you.  They just don't do that.\n\nTherefore, it's key for you to represent yourself well in the interview.  Most salary ranges are primarily affected by your years of experience, so the offer will be made based on that.  If you appear competent in the interview (i.e. you get an offer at all), it will most likely be an accurate one based on your experience level.
650627
I guess the key is how much do you trust your recruiter.  We are all told that it's a lot better to get the offer in writing, but if the company has dealt with the recruiter a ton in the past, they might get a little lazy.\n\nOf course, if the recruiter was being deceitful, you'll be kind of stuck.  Usually, but not always, there's no real ill will going on and the recruiter speaks for the company if they both have had relations in the past.\n\nTalk to your recruiter and tell him/her your concerns and that you would be more comfortable getting the offer in writing before giving your notice so that you won't get stuck without a job.  They'll try and push you off because one of their selling points to the company is that you're serious about joining, but hopefully you can needle them enough to satisfy your safety limits.
666663
headhunters serve only their purpose, not yours. placement agencies, job hunters etc, don't really have you in mind, only their desire to fill a vacant slot by the end of the week. I've had no luck in contacting HR people after I found out I wasn't accepted and why. HR people are the laziest people on earth and are usually cowards when they're cornered. The only real thing that matters is you. how you present youself and carry yourself mean a lot. Your resume, obviously, is your foot in the door but once you're there, it's all about you. Research the company you're interviewing with and COME PREPARED WITH QUESTIONS. interviewers don't like it when you sit there and just nod and say yes. Engage them on all matters about the job and question the position. I learned everything about the interviewing game solely on live and learn. Like you i'm not paying anyone to tell me how to act when it's common sense information to begin with. Be interested in the position. if you're interviewing for a position you're not all that excited about, that;s how it'll come across. First off, know what you want to do. The rest will come to you.
111441
I was told that the best thing you can say is "I really want this job because..." Apparently 75% of people who say that get the job, it seems pretty obvious but most people don't think to actully say that they want the job that they're applying for! That is the best advice I ever got regarding interviews and it really does work.
402832
I  think  the key might lie in the  fact  that you   do not mention   having  any formal  training,   qualifications,  certifications  etc. in this field of work.       There   was  a time  when   a person's  proven   skills   were  sufficient   for  an employer.       But  let us   look   at  hypothetic  situation  where somebody hires you    and  you  are doing work  for your employer's   client.   Now,  something goes  wrong -  not  because you   screwed up,  but  for  any of   a number of   "pure bad  luck"  reasons.    The client  demands   satisfaction  from  your employer,  and your  employer makes  a fight of it - because  let's  say there's   some  serious money involved.  But  now,   the client  begins suggesting  that  the problem  arose  because   his work  was  done  by  a  possibly incompetent person,  and  starts  demanding to know  what  are the   formal qualifications  of  the  guy who  worked on his job.     Your employer  is  now    stuck between a rock  and a  hard place, right?\n                                    If, of course, you  DO  have  a  ton of   qualifications,     I  can't  see  how  you  can  fail  to  command    the  best possible employment  in  your field, once   you    prepare    a  full  resume  and  start hawking it  around  to  the best potential employers.    Put  an  ad  in   a   professional    magazine, briefly  stating  your qualifications,   and  the kind of    salary you  expect to be offered.
198885
The agency probably quoted less with an expectation that you might come back demanding more. If you say you are not happy with even 50, they can say they will talk to the company and make themselves look good. Also possible they looked at your resume, salary history and figured you will be happy with 50. Making their clients happy is more important than making more money on one placement. Also they may have flat fee contract with the company.
219180
I've been for many interview before and interviewed before, and basically they just want to know if you would be good for the job they're offering. Whatever do you, don't just say what they want to hear, its so obvious and leaves a bad impression. Be honest and answer the questions positively, happily and confidently. You're allowed to be nervous, everyone is, and I can tell you now that the person interviewing you is more nervous than you are! Honest truth! They ask questions about your history, why do you want to be here, why did you leave there, what do you plan for your future, what are you good at, what do you like and enjoy doing. It varies from interviewer to interviewer. What is the most essential key, is having a good CV, that gets your foot in the door. First impressions always last - remember that. If needs be, get a graphic designer to set up your CV on CD in .pdf format, looks super professional!! Let your CV stand out from the crowd and you'll be a sure winner!  Good luck sweedie!
523746
Lying could get you FIRED and get BAD REFERENCES on your employment history.  not a good idea.  Why don't you find out if anybody has ENTRY LEVEL positions in your field, and apply for an entry level position to work your way up and gain experience.