How to close a sales interview: A complete guide 2023

The sales interview is a crucial part of the job search process, as it provides an opportunity for the candidate to showcase their skills, experience, and personality to the hiring manager. In this interview, the candidate is evaluated on their ability to communicate effectively, persuade, and build relationships with potential customers.

During the sales interview, the interviewer typically asks questions about the candidate's previous sales experience, their understanding of the company's products or services, and their sales techniques. The candidate may also be asked to provide examples of how they have previously overcome objections or closed a sale.

Read on to learn the ins and outs of a sales interview and how to close it perfectly. 

Key Takeaways 

• The sales interview is a critical part of the job search process, and candidates are evaluated on their ability to communicate effectively, persuade, and build relationships with potential customers.
• Thanking the interviewer for their time, expressing gratitude, and demonstrating genuine interest in the position is important in closing a sales interview.
• Reiterating your skills and experience, highlighting your unique selling points, and emphasizing how you can contribute to the company's success is critical in demonstrating your value to the company.
• Addressing concerns and objections positively and constructively, and offering solutions to any issues brought up during the interview, demonstrate your ability to handle objections effectively, your willingness to learn and improve, and your commitment to achieving success in the role.
• It is essential to ask what the next steps are in the hiring process to alleviate any anxiety or uncertainty and demonstrate your interest in the position. 

How to Start the Sales Interview 

Thank the Interviewer or Their Time 

​At the end of the interview, it's important to thank the interviewer for taking the time to meet with you. Expressing gratitude shows that you value their time and are appreciative of the opportunity to interview for the position.

A simple phrase like "Thank you for taking the time to meet with me today" can create a positive impression on the interviewer. If you had multiple interviewers, be sure to thank each of them individually.

Express your Interest in the Position 

It's essential to express your enthusiasm for the position and the company during the closing of the interview. The interviewer wants to know that you are genuinely interested in the job and that you are passionate about working for their organization.

A statement like "I'm really excited about the opportunity to work for your company and believe that my skills and experience would be an excellent fit for the position" can help demonstrate your interest in the role. It also provides an opportunity for the interviewer to ask any follow-up questions they may have. 

Key takeaways

Closing a sales interview requires thanking the interviewer for their time, expressing gratitude, and demonstrating your interest in the position. Doing so can leave a positive lasting impression and increase your chances of being offered the job.  

Reiterate Your Value ​

Remind the Interviewer of Your Skills and Experience ​

 During a sales interview, you have likely already discussed your skills and experience. However, it's essential to reiterate them during the closing of the interview. Reminding the interviewer of your skills and experience will reinforce the value you can bring to the company.

For example, you can remind the interviewer of your sales experience, your industry knowledge, and your ability to handle difficult situations. Provide specific examples of how you used these skills in your previous roles to achieve success.

Highlight your Unique Selling Points 

 In addition to reminding the interviewer of your skills and experience, it's also crucial to highlight your unique selling points. These are the qualities that set you apart from other candidates and make you the best fit for the position.

For example, you may have exceptional interpersonal skills and can build strong client relationships. Or maybe you deeply understand the company's products and can effectively communicate their value to potential customers.

Highlighting your unique selling points during the closing of the interview will help the interviewer remember you as a standout candidate. It will also demonstrate your value to the company and increase your chances of being offered the job.

Emphasize How You Can Contribute to the Company's Success

During the closing of a sales interview, it's important to emphasize how you can contribute to the company's success. Companies want to hire sales professionals who can help them achieve their sales goals and grow their businesses.

Highlight how your skills and experience can help the company achieve its sales targets. You can provide examples of how you helped your previous employers achieve their sales goals and how you plan to apply these skills to help the new company.

Additionally, you can demonstrate your understanding of the company's sales goals and provide insights on how you can help achieve them. This will show the interviewer that you have done your research and are genuinely interested in the company's success.

Key takeaway ​ 

Reiterating your value during the closing of a sales interview is critical. Remind the interviewer of your skills and experience, highlight your unique selling points, and emphasize how you can contribute to the company's success. 

In this way, you can leave a positive lasting impression and increase your chances of being offered the job.

Address Concerns and Objections ​ 

Ask if the Interviewer has any Concerns or Questions ​ 

During a sales interview, it's not uncommon for the interviewer to have concerns or questions about your qualifications or experience. Before closing the interview, it's essential to ask if there are any concerns or questions that the interviewer may have.

By doing so, you can address any issues head-on and demonstrate your willingness to address concerns and objections.

Address any Objections they May Have Raised During the Interview

If the interviewer raises any objections during the interview, it's crucial to address them before closing the interview. For example, if the interviewer expressed concern about your lack of experience in a particular area, you can address this concern by highlighting your related skills or experiences.

Be sure to listen carefully to the interviewer's objections and address them positively and constructively. Doing so can demonstrate your ability to handle objections effectively, a critical skill for a sales professional.

Offer Solutions to Any Issues that were Brought Up

After addressing any objections, it's essential to offer solutions to any issues that were brought up during the interview. For example, if the interviewer expressed concern about your lack of experience in a particular area, you can offer to take additional training or courses to improve your knowledge in that area.

Offering solutions to any issues that were brought up during the interview will demonstrate your willingness to learn and your commitment to achieving success in the role.

Key takeaway

Addressing concerns and objections during the closing of a sales interview is essential. Ask if the interviewer has any concerns or questions, address any objections they may have raised during the interview, and offer solutions to any issues that were brought up. 

If you do this, you can demonstrate your ability to handle objections effectively, your willingness to learn and improve, and your commitment to achieving success in the role.  

Confirm Next Steps ​ 

Ask What the Next Steps are in the Hiring Process ​

Before closing a sales interview, it's essential to ask what the next steps are in the hiring process. Knowing what to expect can help alleviate any anxiety or uncertainty you may have about the process.

The interviewer may provide you with a timeline of when they plan to make a decision or inform you of additional steps in the hiring process, such as a second interview or a reference check.

Clarify When You Can Expect to Hear Back From Them

 In addition to asking what the next steps are in the hiring process, clarifying when you can expect to hear back from the interviewer is crucial. Knowing when to expect a response can help you plan your follow-up and reduce unnecessary stress.

Be sure to ask for a specific timeframe, such as "When can I expect to hear back from you? Will it be in a week or two weeks?" Clarifying this information can help you plan your next steps, whether that's following up with the interviewer or continuing your job search.

Ask if there is Anything Else They Need From You

Before ending the interview, it's also essential to ask if there is anything else the interviewer needs from you. This demonstrates your willingness to be proactive and your commitment to the position.

For example, you can ask, "Is there anything else you need from me to help make your decision?" or "Would you like me to provide any additional information or references?"

Asking this question can help you identify any gaps in your application or interview and allow you to address them before the interviewer makes their decision.

Key Takeaway

Confirming the next steps during the closing of a sales interview is crucial. Ask what the next steps are in the hiring process, clarify when you can expect to hear back from them, and ask if there is anything else they need from you. You can use this to demonstrate your proactive approach and your commitment to the position.

Close the Interview ​ 

Express Your Enthusiasm for the Position ​ 

As you come to the end of the sales interview, it's essential to express your enthusiasm for the position. This demonstrates your interest in the role and your commitment to working with the company.

You can say something like, "I'm really excited about the possibility of working with your team and contributing to your sales goals. This seems like a great opportunity, and I would be thrilled to join your company."

Thank the Interviewer Again for their Time

Before ending the interview, it's important to thank the interviewer again for their time. Showing gratitude for the opportunity to interview demonstrates your professionalism and appreciation for the interviewer's time and effort.

You can say something like, "Thank you again for taking the time to meet with me today. I appreciate the opportunity to learn more about the position and the company."

Reiterate Your Interest in the Role

Finally, it's important to reiterate your interest in the role. This leaves a lasting impression on the interviewer and demonstrates your enthusiasm for the position.

You can say something like, "I just want to reiterate how interested I am in this position. I believe my skills and experience would be an excellent fit for the role, and I would be honored to work with your team."

Key Takeaway

Closing a sales interview requires expressing your enthusiasm for the position, thanking the interviewer again for their time, and reiterating your interest in the role. You can do this to leave a positive lasting impression and increase your chances of being offered the job.

Follow Up ​ 

Ask for the Interviewer's Contact Information ​ 

After the interview is over, it's important to ask the interviewer for their contact information. This will allow you to follow up with them after the interview and stay in touch throughout the hiring process.

Be sure to ask for their email address, phone number, and any other relevant contact information that you may need to follow up effectively.

Confirm that You will be Following Up

 Once you have the interviewer's contact information, confirming that you will be following up is important. This demonstrates your interest in the position and your commitment to the hiring process.

You can say something like, "Thank you for providing me with your contact information. I will follow up with you in a week or two to check in on the hiring process."

Be sure to confirm the timeline for the next steps in the hiring process and let the interviewer know that you will follow up after that time has passed.

Thank them Again For the Opportunity

Finally, it's important to thank the interviewer again for the opportunity to interview for the position. This demonstrates your professionalism and gratitude for the opportunity.

You can say something like, "Once again, I want to thank you for the opportunity to interview for this position. I am excited about the possibility of working with your team and contributing to your sales goals."

Key Takeaway

Following up after a sales interview is an important step in the hiring process. Ask for the interviewer's contact information, confirm that you will be following up, and thank them again for the opportunity. Follow this to stay in touch with the interviewer, demonstrate your interest in the position, and increase your chances of being offered the job.

Wrapping up 

Closing a sales interview is a critical step toward securing the job. Throughout the interview, you've had the opportunity to showcase your skills and experience, address concerns and objections, and reiterate your value to the company. 

By summarizing the key points of the interview, you can reinforce your strengths and demonstrate your interest in the position.