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Top 7 Sales Presentation Interview Templates with Examples and Samples

During a sales presentation interview, candidates demonstrate their sales talents and abilities to prospective employers. It is an important aspect of the business world. It entails persuading and presenting a good, service, or concept to capture the audience and show off one's sales prowess.  Any sales professional must possess strong communication and presentation skills since they serve as the basis for creating long-lasting client relationships and promoting company success. This article explores the relevance of sales presentation interviews and offers crucial templates and advice to shine in this cutthroat environment, giving you all you need to succeed.

Why is a Sales Presentation Interview Crucial?

The sales presentation interview is essential because it is a yardstick for a candidate's capacity for clear communication, rapport-building with clients, and deal-closing. How a candidate positions a product or service can make all the difference in convincing potential clients to choose their offers over rivals in the competitive sales world. A strong sales presentation indicates the candidate's mastery of the art of persuasion, their comprehension of the audience's demands, and their capacity to customize their pitch accordingly.

As these are essential qualities for successful salespeople, candidates must demonstrate their charm, product expertise, and sales acumen. Candidates can show off their abilities to think quickly under pressure, modify their strategy in response to audience input, and confidently handle objections during this interview. A strong sales presentation can make an excellent first impression on recruiters and pave the way for a candidate to succeed in a sales position.

Why Should You Use Sales Presentation Interview Templates?

Candidates can structure their pitch efficiently, resulting in a well-organized and compelling presentation, by using sales presentation interview templates. Instead of wasting time on formatting and content structuring, these templates provide applicants with a starting point and allow them to concentrate on improving their delivery. The templates serve as a guide, including best practices and tried-and-true tactics that have worked well in sales situations.

Candidates may create a polished and expert presentation that persuasively sells their message to prospective employers with the help of these templates. Additionally, templates speed up the preparation process, allowing applicants to invest more time studying and practicing. It encourages consistency in the delivery and ensures that crucial elements of the presentation—like resolving consumer pain areas, showing product features, and offering a persuading call to action.

Template 1: Concept Of Sales Presentation Training PPT

With the help of this template, applicants get to know the principles of sales presentations, including the significance of understanding the audience, outlining specific goals, and using persuasion tactics. It emphasizes the value of careful planning and in-depth product knowledge to provide an effective presentation. Candidates will learn how to organize their material to take the viewer on a discovery journey while showcasing the benefits of the good or service at each stop.

Click to download.

(Optimize your sales strategy with our Sales Activity Report Templates – the ultimate resource to track, analyze, and refine your sales efforts for measurable growth. Elevate your performance and achieve impactful results with data-driven insights.)

Template 2: Customize Sales Presentation Based On The Audience Training PPT

The template emphasizes the necessity of customizing the presentation to the audience's needs, problems, and preferences. It gives candidates helpful information on performing in-depth research on the target market and enables them to establish more personal connections with potential customers. Candidates can more successfully address particular problems and demonstrate how the product or service satisfies audience needs by personalizing their presentation.

Template 3: Sales Presentation Tips For Salespeople Training Ppt

A thorough manual that provides helpful advice on how to boost self-assurance, deal with anxiety, and make a sales presentation that stands out from the crowd. This template offers guidance on creating an attention-grabbing introduction, keeping the audience's interest throughout the presentation, and making an impactful conclusion. Candidates will learn strategies for combining storytelling, facts, and graphics to give the audience an engaging experience.

Template 4: Tips For Better Sales Presentation Training Ppt

This template offers tips on how to use visual aids effectively, construct compelling anecdotes, and take advantage of body language to create a riveting and memorable presentation. It also underlines how crucial it is to highlight the advantages of the service and show how it might alleviate the audience's problems. Candidates will pick up helpful advice on how to stay upbeat and excited during the presentation.

Template 5: Tips To Create Effective Sales Presentation Training PPT

Candidates can learn strategies for adequately structuring presentations, showcasing product features, and emphasizing consumer benefits to boost sales. The template emphasizes the value of concise, clear, and clear messaging and helps hold the audience's attention. Candidates can produce presentations that are simple to understand and have an impact on the audience by following these guidelines.

(Explore our Sales Objections and Response Templates as these are your toolkit for addressing concerns, building trust, and driving successful conversions through effective objection handling.)

Template 6: Avoid Delivering Memorized Speech as a Sales Presentation Tip

Information on balancing preparation and spontaneity so that the presentation seems natural and exciting rather than overly planned. This sample offers suggestions for flexibility throughout the presentation to handle any unexpected inquiries or audience responses. Candidates can develop a connection with the audience and create a sincere connection by adopting spontaneity and genuineness.

Template 7: Tell A Story as a Sales Presentation Tip 

This template emphasizes storytelling's ability to engage an emotional audience, strengthening the presentation's relatability and staying power. The positive effects of the product or service on customers can are analyzed using success stories, case studies, or personal anecdotes, which candidates encourage. Candidates can elicit feelings and motivate action from the audience by integrating storytelling elements.

Sales presentation interviews are essential to find top-tier salespeople who can propel company growth and cultivate long-lasting customer relationships. Candidates may improve their pitch, stand out from the competition, and raise their chances of getting their ideal sales job by using these best sales presentation interview templates and understanding the techniques offered. It's essential to remember that a candidate can stand out and succeed in a sales presentation interview by being prepared, flexible, and able to connect with the audience.

FAQs on Sales Presentation

1. what is the sales presentation.

A sales associate may present a good, service, or idea to prospective customers during a sales presentation to convince them to buy something or do something else. Successfully closing agreements requires clearly articulating the value of the offering and attending to consumer concerns. A sales presentation seeks to persuade the consumer to choose the offering by highlighting the good or service's advantages and unique selling points.

2. What should a sales presentation include?

A sales presentation includes a solid call to action with a clear introduction, a practical product demonstration, and addressing the audience's needs. Data, statistics, and testimonies can all help to increase the presentation's impact. Keep the audience's interest throughout the presentation by presenting the information well-organized and excitingly.

3. What are the five steps of a sales presentation?

The five steps of a sales presentation are preparation, rapport-building, presenting the good or service, dealing with objections, and concluding with a compelling call to action. Building trust, communicating the worth of the gift, and convincing the audience to act depends on each phase. In planning, you must recognize the audience to customize the presentation. The salesman must project a cheerful, assured tone during the presentation while concentrating on meeting customer demands and highlighting the product's advantages.

4. How do you prepare for a sales presentation?

Researching the audience, comprehending their problems, practicing the pitch, and developing persuasive visual aids that reinforce the message are all things you should do to get ready for a sales presentation. Candidates should practice their delivery to increase confidence and prepare to address any unforeseen difficulties. Candidates can position themselves as informed and dependable sales experts by being intimately familiar with the product or service and skilled at responding to frequent objections. To continuously enhance and perfect the delivery, seeking feedback and iterating on the presentation is crucial. Adopting templates for sales presentation interviews is helpful because they offer structure and direction for creating an engaging and powerful presentation.

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Home Blog Presentation Ideas How to Give A Compelling Interview Presentation: Tips, Examples and Topic Ideas

How to Give A Compelling Interview Presentation: Tips, Examples and Topic Ideas

Interview presentations have now become the new norm for most industries. They are popular for sales, marketing, technology, and academic positions. If you have been asked to deliver one for your job interview presentation, prepare to build a strong case for yourself as a candidate.

Giving a general presentation is already daunting. But selling yourself is always the hardest. Spectacular credentials and stellar expertise don’t count much if you cannot present them clearly, which you are expected to do during your interview presentation.

So, let’s prime you up for the challenge. This post is action-packed with job interview PowerPoint presentation examples and will teach you the best way to do a presentation without stressing too much!

Table of Contents

What is an Interview Presentation?

What should an interview presentation look like, how to prepare for a job interview presentation: the basics, define your structure, what slides to include, how to come up with 15-minute interview presentation ideas, how to conclude your interview presentation, how to prepare for an interview: the final tips, what to do at the first interaction with the company elevator pitch for interview, presentation design tips, how to overcome presentation anxiety, tips on maintaining positive body language throughout the presentation, your final act.

An interview presentation, also known as a job interview presentation or interview portfolio, is a formal and structured way for candidates to showcase their skills, qualifications, and suitability for a specific job position during an interview. It goes beyond the typical Q&A format of interviews, allowing candidates to demonstrate their expertise through a prepared presentation. Employers commonly request interview presentations in various industries, such as sales, marketing, technology, academia, and management roles. These presentations serve several important purposes: assessing communication skills, evaluating cultural fit, measuring expertise, analyzing problem-solving skills, and observing presentation skills. While the specific format and requirements of interview presentations vary widely, candidates typically receive guidelines from the employer regarding the topic, duration, and any specific criteria to be addressed. In essence, an interview presentation is an opportunity for candidates to make a compelling case for their candidacy, showcasing their qualifications, experience, and suitability for the job. It requires careful preparation, effective communication, and the ability to engage and persuade the interview panel. A successful interview presentation can significantly enhance a candidate’s chances of securing the desired position.

Think of your interview presentation as a sales pitch.

Your goal is to convince the human resources team that you are the best candidate. The kick here is that you will present to a warm audience – you already impressed them enough with your resume to be called in for an interview. We recommend generating a strategy and presentation based on a 30 60 90 Day Plan .

Employers request interview presentations for a few simple reasons:

• To assess your communication and public speaking skills.
• To understand whether you are the right cultural fit for the company.
• To develop a better sense of how well-versed you are in the domain .

So, your first job is ensuring your presentation fits the criteria. Review the company’s job description again and jot down all the candidate requirements. Take the time to read about their company values and mission. Be proactive and ask precisely what you should cover during your presentation.

Most interview presentations will differ in content and style, but here’s a quick example to give you more context:

[ Use This Template ]

Before you get elbow-deep in designing that PowerPoint for a job interview presentation, do some scouting and reach out to the HR team with a few questions.

You want your presentation to be on-point and technically accurate, so ask your contact the following:

• How long should an interview presentation be? Fifteen minutes is the golden standard, though some employers may ask to cut it down to just 10 minutes or extend it to 20-25.
• Who exactly will be present? A conversational presentation would undoubtedly be welcomed by your peers and a team leader but may appear too casual for the senior managers or board of directors.
• Does the HR team have a particular agenda in mind? Ask some leading questions to understand what kind of skills/experience they want you to demonstrate. If needed, use a proper agenda slide to include your content.
• What’s the IT setup? Should you bring your laptop? Do you need an adapter to connect to their projector? What kind of presentation software have they installed – PowerPoint, Keynote, Google Slides?

Everyone appreciates clarity.

In fact, 89% of professionals state their ability to communicate with clarity directly impacts their career and income.

Your presentation should flow, not rumble. Make sure that your story is easy to follow and your key message is easy to digest, remember, and pass on. If you want people to retain your main points, opt for the following structure:

Source: this infographic was created with  3 Steps Editable 3D Ladder Infographic

Here’s an interview presentation example styled in this fashion.

What is: The company’s presence in the Middle East is low. Only 15% of revenues come from the top markets.

Why this matters: The UAE fashion market alone is expected to grow at a CAGR of 21% during the next five years.

What could be: I have helped my previous employer open a flagship store in Dubai, have a lot of industry contacts, and am familiar with the local legislature. Your brand can expect a 17% revenue growth within one year of opening.

You can find even more ideas for designing your presentations in this post .

The choice of slides will largely depend on whether you are asked to talk about yourself or present on some task that you will be required to do as part of your job (e.g., create marketing campaigns).

Most interview presentation templates feature the following slides:

• Opening Slide
• Quick Bio/Personal Summary
• Career Path
• Education timeline
• Key Skills and Expertise
• Case studies/examples of the problems you have solved at your past jobs
• Your vision for your future role.
• What exactly can you bring in as the candidate (we will come back to this one later on!)

Can’t figure out where to start? Check out our AI PowerPoint generator to create an entire interview slide deck in a couple of clicks, or just download a job interview template . Swipe down to learn from the either of the following job interview presentation samples.

Typically, a talent acquisition team will suggest broad interview presentation topics for you. For example, if you are applying for a sales position, they may ask you to develop a sales presentation for some product (real or imaginary).

Some employers will request a short presentation about you or your hobbies to understand whether you are a good “fit” for the team and share the company’s values. Remember this: your audience will be assessing your aptitude for the role, no matter which topic you were given.

In fact, the interviewers at this point don’t care that much about your experience and skills. They want to know how you can apply those to solve the company’s pressing problems – meet sales targets, improve ROI from social media marketing or help them earn more revenue.

Your job is to make an educated guess… predict the most wrenching problem, and pitch your “magic pill” during your interview presentation.

I know what you are thinking – but how do I find the right opportunity/problem to tackle?

Businesses across different industries pretty much struggle with the same generic challenges related to either of the following:

Your topic should clearly address one of these areas and offer a potential roadmap for solving some specific problem within it.

Let’s say that you are applying for a sales role. Clearly, you will want to tackle the “customer audience” set of problems. To refine your idea, ask yourself the following questions:

• Can you think of a new customer segment the company should target? Who are they, what do they want, and how you can help the company reach them?
• Do you have a network or experience to identify and pitch new clients?
• Can you think of new collaboration opportunities the company could use to attract a whole new niche of customers?

So a sample job interview presentation about yourself should include a series of Problem & Solution Slides , showing exactly how you will address that issue if the company hires you.

Here’s another PowerPoint presentation about yourself for job interview example worth using – incorporate a case study slide, showing how you have successfully solved a similar problem for your past employer.

Wrap up your presentation by laying out the key steps the company needs to take. Give an estimate of how much time it will take to tackle the problem, and what changes/investments should be made.

Your conclusion should tell this: “Hire me and I will solve this problem for you in no time!”.

Source: StockSnap

Dial-Up Your Power

Take a deep breath and strike a “power pose” before you enter the room.

According to her research, power posers performed better during interviews and were more likely to get hired. Another study also proved this theory: unaware judges gave major preference to the power-primed applicants. So yes, pep talks do work!

The first 30 Seconds Count The Most

What you do and say in the first 30 seconds will make the most impact. Psychological  research  shows that listeners form opinions about your personality and intelligence in the first 30 seconds of the interview. So be sure to start with a compelling opening, framing exactly how you want to be perceived.

Try To Appear Similar to the Interviewer

Lauren Rivera, a professor from Kellogg School,  came to the conclusion that interviewers tend to hire “people like them” .

Even the top human resource management folks fall for this bias and tend to base their evaluations on how similar a candidate is to them, instead of trying to decide whether the person’s skill set is ideal for the position. So to be liked, you will have to act relatable.

Back up your statements with facts

To deliver a presentation with a bang, you can make use of pre-analyzed facts to support your hypothesis. Make sure to do your homework, study the company and its competitive landscape, and do the professional work you would have done as a member of the company crew. At some point in your interview presentation, you go “off the script”, and pull out a bunch of documents, supporting your statements.

For example, you can give away a quick plan indicating a number of things the employer could do today to save money, even if they don’t hire you. Make sure to be meticulous; your work will speak for you. But giving away this work will show the employer your commitment, skills, and focus.

And that’s exactly how to make your job interview presentation stand out. Most candidates just ramble about their skills and past career moves. You bring specificity and proof to the platter, showing exactly what makes you a great hire fair and square.

Within a selection process, there are many interactions (interviews and dynamics) that you must successfully complete in order to be the next selected candidate. One of your objectives in this first interaction should be to generate a great first impression in the company. For this, we recommend using the Elevator Pitch for Interview technique.

The Elevator Pitch for Interview will allow you to present yourself in a solid and professional way in less than 60 seconds, in order to generate an outstanding first impression.

What is an Elevator Pitch for an Interview?

The Elevator Pitch is a condensed speech about yourself that aims to generate engagement in no more than 60 seconds. Entrepreneurs widely use this type of speech to persuade investors and job seekers in job interviews. Your Elevator Pitch for the Interview will generate a great first impression to the employer and be better positioned than other candidates. If your goal is to make a convincing presentation in a job interview, your Elevator Pitch needs to be well crafted.

How to Make an Elevator Pitch for an Interview

There are many ways and tips to make an excellent Elevator Pitch for a job interview. This section provides you with essential advice to make your interview more convincing.

Identify your target

You need to know to whom you are presenting yourself. Is it a recruiter? or an executive?. Your Elevator Pitch will change depending on the receiver.

Comprehend the needs of the hiring company

Make an advanced study about the search requirements for the job position. Identify your strengths. Highlight them. Demonstrate your experience. Identify your weaknesses. Show that you have a profile that seeks constant improvement

Create a clear, concise, and truthful Elevator Pitch

This point is critical. Your Elevator Pitch must be clear, concise, genuine, and impactful. Go from less to more. Generate a real hook in your audience. Try not to go off-topic or talk too much, and be brief in everything you want to say.

Speak naturally and confidently

If you can speak fluently and naturally, you can show a confident profile. Show you know what you are talking about and what you want.

Elevator Pitch Example for Job Seekers

This section illustrates an Elevator Pitch Example targeted to Recruiters. It will help you put together your own.

“My name is [NAME]. After graduating with a degree in Business Administration, I have spent the last five years accumulating professional experience as a Project Assistant and Project Manager. I have successfully managed intangible products’ planning, strategy, and launch these past few years. I was excited to learn about this opportunity in Big Data – I’ve always been passionate about how technology and the use of information can greatly improve the way we live. I would love the opportunity to bring my project management and leadership skills to this position.”

Ways to avoid common mistakes in your Elevator Pitch

Keep in mind the following points to avoid making mistakes in your Elevator Pitch for an Interview.

Don’t hurry to make your Elevator Pitch

The Elevator Pitch lasts approximately 60 seconds. Do it on your own time and naturally, as long as you make it clear and concise.

Do not always use the same Elevator Pitch for all cases

One recommendation is not to repeat the same Elevator Pitch in all your interviews. Make changes. Try new options and ways of saying the information. Try different versions and check with your experience which generates more engagement and persuasion.

Make it easy to understand

Articulate your pitch as a story. Think that the person in front of you does not know you and is interested in learning more about your profile. Don’t make your Elevator Pitch challenging to appear more sophisticated. Simply generate a clear and easy-to-understand narrative, where all the data you tell is factual and verifiable.

Don’t forget to practice it

Practice is the key to success. Your Elevator Pitch for Interview will become more professional, convincing, and natural with practice.

How to End an Elevator Pitch?

An essential aspect of ending an Elevator Pitch for an Interview is demonstrating interest and passion for the position. You have already presented yourself and established that you have the necessary background for the job. Closing with phrases revealing passion and attitude will help reinforce your pitch.

We recommend you use expressions such as:

“I have always been interested and curious about the area in which the company operates, and it would be a great challenge for me to be able to perform in this position.”

“I have been interested in moving into your company for a while, and I love what your team is doing in IT.”

“I would like to advance my career with an employer with the same values. I know that thanks to my profile and experience, I can make excellent contributions to your company.”

Keep It Visual: Use visuals like images, graphs, and charts to convey your points effectively. Visuals can make complex information more accessible and engaging. Consistency Matters: Maintain a consistent design throughout your presentation. Use the same fonts, color schemes, and formatting to create a cohesive look. Practice Timing: Be mindful of the allotted time for your presentation. Practice to ensure you can comfortably cover your content within the time limit. Engage the Audience: Incorporate elements that engage the audience, such as questions, anecdotes, or real-world examples. Interaction keeps the interview panel interested. Use White Space: Avoid cluttered slides. Use white space to create a clean and uncluttered design that enhances readability.

Presenting during a job interview can be nerve-wracking. Here are some strategies to overcome presentation anxiety:

• Practice: Practice your presentation multiple times, ideally in front of a friend or mentor. The more you rehearse, the more confident you’ll become.
• Visualization: Visualize yourself by giving a successful presentation. Imagine yourself speaking confidently and engaging the audience.
• Breathing Techniques: Deep breathing can help calm nerves. Take slow, deep breaths before and during your presentation to reduce anxiety.
• Positive Self-Talk: Replace negative thoughts with positive affirmations. Remind yourself of your qualifications and the value you bring to the role.
• Focus on the Message: Concentrate on delivering your message rather than dwelling on your anxiety. Remember that the interviewers want to learn about your skills and experiences.
• Arrive Early: Arrive at the interview location early. This gives you time to get comfortable with the environment and set up any technical equipment you use.

Maintain Good Posture: Stand or sit up straight with your shoulders back. Good posture conveys confidence and attentiveness. Make Eye Contact: Establish and maintain eye contact with your audience to show confidence and engagement. Use Open Gestures: Employ open gestures, like open palms and expansive arm movements, to convey enthusiasm and openness. Smile and Show Enthusiasm: Genuine smiles and enthusiastic facial expressions demonstrate passion and eagerness. Control Nervous Habits: Be mindful of nervous habits like tapping or fidgeting, which can distract your audience and convey anxiety.

Stop fretting and start prepping for your interview presentation. You now have all the nitty-gritty presentation tips to ace that interview. If you are feeling overwhelmed with the design part, browse our extensive gallery of PowerPoint templates and cherry-pick specific elements ( diagrams , shapes , and data charts ) to give your interview presentation the top visual appeal.

Here you can see some 100% editable templates available on SlideModel that could be useful for preparing an interview presentation.

1. Versatile Self-Introduction PowerPoint Template

Use This Template

2. Professional Curriculum Vitae PowerPoint Template

This a sample of PowerPoint presentation template that you can use to present a curriculum and prepare for a job interview presentation. The PPT template is compatible with PowerPoint but also with Google Slides.

3. Modern 1-Page Resume Template for PowerPoint

4. Multi-Slide Resume PowerPoint Template

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HR, Human Resources, Interview, Job, Resume Filed under Presentation Ideas

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Sales Presentation for Interview: The Dos and Don’ts

• July 31, 2022

When I was first starting out in sales, I remember being so nervous about giving a sales presentation for interview. I would practice over and over again, but as soon as I got in front of the room, all my carefully rehearsed words would fly out of my head.

If you’re feeling similar nerves about an upcoming sales presentation for interview, don’t worry – you’re not alone. With a little bit of preparation though, you can deliver a killer presentation that will impress your interviewer and land you the job.

Here are some dos and don’ts to keep in mind when preparing for your big day.

What is a Sales Presentation for Interview?

A sales pitch is a chance for you to demonstrate your selling skills.

A sales interview presentation is a great way to show employers your confidence and competence in speaking about a product or service. By preparing and delivering a well-organized presentation, you can demonstrate your ability to communicate effectively and engage with an audience.

A sales interview presentation is an opportunity for a salesperson to demonstrate their selling skills. This is important because selling is a key part of the job.

A sales interview presentation is a key part of the sales process. It allows you to ask the right questions, provide the best answers, and deliver an engaging sales pitch . By preparing for this important step, you can increase your chances of success.

If you want to ace your next sales interview presentation, here are a few steps that will help you get the job offer!

Personality and Professional Image

A huge part of making a successful sales presentation is how you conduct yourself. Building rapport with your prospect, engaging them, and exuding confidence are all important.

When you’re dressing for an interview, it’s important to look professional and put together. Business formal or business casual attire is typically expected, and wearing a hat or lounge clothes can be deal-breakers.

When participating in a video call with potential employers, it is important to be aware of your surroundings and what will be visible on camera. If possible, situate yourself in a professional setting or have your background blurred to avoid any distractions.

Designing The Presentation

Build your own presentation. Don’t be one of the 25% of businesses that use outdated presentation templates.

When you’re creating your presentation, keep in mind that your audience will appreciate a shorter, more concise presentation. The average attention span has decreased from 12 minutes to just 5 minutes over the past decade, so it’s important to make your point quickly and effectively.

Business managers have limited time and may not have the attention span to sit through another presentation or report.

Citing facts is a great way to get someone’s attention, but you need to make sure they’re from a reliable source. While Wikipedia articles can be useful, they can often be edited, so it’s best to use another website.

Visuals are an effective way to convey your message as they are processed by the human brain 6,000 times faster, and are 6 times more memorable than words.

A helpful tip is to limit the information on each slide to three key points. This will make it easier for your audience to understand and remember the points you are trying to make. Introducing each point one at a time will also help with this.

Avoid using many slide decks as this can be a distraction.

After you have completed writing your presentation, it is time to practice. Get colleagues, friends, and family to listen to your presentation after you have memorized the script. This will help catch any errors you may have missed .

They might find mistakes that you missed.

After your practice sessions, ask your audience to quiz you. They should ask tough, probing questions.

This will help you be prepared for anything that is thrown your way during the presentation so that you can stay confident and on track.

Steve Jobs was a master at giving presentations. His audiences would often give him standing ovations at the end of his talks.

Although he was a master of presenting, Steve Jobs would still practice his script for an average of two full days before going on stage. It can be difficult to put that much effort into practicing, but if you can manage to practice for a few hours, you will see significant improvements in your performance.

Preparing for Your Mock Presentation

A great way to prepare for a mock interview is by sending a pre-interview email to the interviewer that confirms the time of the meeting, the topics of discussion, and the goals of the conversation.

Before you begin your presentation, it is essential that you have done your research. Familiarity with the company’s culture and the content of your presentation will help to ensure that you are choosing a relevant company and buyer persona.

Your presentation is what your interviewer is going to be watching. These are some pointers to keep in mind when making your presentation look clean and polished:

• 5-10 slides maximum
• Consistent company theme: logo, color palette, imagery
• Have a clear agenda
• Minimal wording

The most important step before a mock interview is to prepare. Know everything about your upcoming presentation and be able to answer any question that the interviewer throws at you.

After you feel that you’ve rehearsed enough, continue to rehearse. This will allow you to smoothly and naturally flow through your pitch.

Delivering a Great Sales Presentation for Interview

On the big day, make sure to arrive 15 minutes early. This should give you enough time to check in, set up your presentation, use the washroom, and do anything else before it’s time to meet with your interviewer.

The first minutes of a sales presentation are extremely important. Make sure you prepare both mentally and physically before walking in.

Remember to keep making direct eye contact, and speak in a clear, confident voice. Your sales skills are what have gotten you to this point, so use them to your advantage!

Stand up straight with your arms at your sides , give a firm handshake, smile often, and ask questions to keep your audience engaged .

Discovery Questions During Sales Presentation for Interview

Start your meeting with a few discovery questions that help to uncover a prospect’s needs.

Questions you can ask include:

• What problem are you trying to solve ?
• What are your goals?
• When do you need to achieve these goals?
• What is your budget?
• Who is involved in the decision ?
• Are you exploring other options?
• When are you planning to make this decision?
• How can I help make this easy?

Making Your Sales Presentation for Interview

During the pitch, make sure you demonstrate the knowledge you have of the products, the company, and the competitive environment. Be prepared with high-level information on what differentiates you from the competition.

When educating customers, it is important to be focused and succinct in your presentation in order to avoid lingering on one topic .

Use the answers you discovered during your research to incorporate into your presentation. Also, be prepared to address any objections to your proposal.

If you are unable to answer a question, do not try to fake it. Simply refer them to someone more knowledgeable or offer to send a reply in a follow-up email.

If It Doesn’t Go Well: Don’t Panic!

No matter how your sales pitch goes, never fear – there’s always something unpredictable in sales!

If it doesn’t go well, don’t panic! Take a deep breath and restart where you left off . You can do this!

Just because you made a mistake doesn’t mean you won’t close a sale. What’s important is how you recover from it.

You can always apologize if you need to and ask for feedback on how you can do a better sales presentation in the future .

Close The Meeting

End your presentation by summarizing your key points and discussing the next steps. Schedule a follow-up meeting to discuss them.

Don’t just leave without a plan for your next interaction with that prospect.

Post-Presentation Feedback

After your pitch, be prepared to receive feedback from your prospect. Be open to their suggestions, and thank them for their input.

If you’re asked for feedback from someone, be as honest as possible. Don’t overpraise yourself, but don’t undersell yourself either.

Send a thank-you email to the prospect that summarizes the conversation you had with them.

When conducting sales demos, you don’t need to have a deep understanding of the product or solutions. Instead, the focus should be on how you demonstrate, how you engage, and your commitment to the interview.

So, don’t worry about not having an in-depth knowledge of the product or service. Just be enthusiastic, and let your natural personality shine.

Conclusion: Sales Presentation for Interview

When it comes to giving a sales presentation for interview, there are some dos and don’ts that you should keep in mind. By following these tips, you can deliver a killer presentation that will impress your audience.

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How to Deliver a Winning Interview Presentation

Written by: Unenabasi Ekeruke

The average corporate job opening receives about 250 resumes . To find the most suitable candidates, many companies make interview presentations a decisive part of their hiring process.

Whether you're looking to switch jobs or move up the ladder in your organization, a well-crafted interview presentation might be the key to landing your next role.

Interview presentations give you a chance to pitch your skills and showcase your knowledge about the position. Delivering an exceptional presentation will put you a step ahead of other candidates.

But how do you make your interview presentation stand out?

In this article, we've rounded up the best tips for preparing and delivering a winning interview presentation that will help you stand out and land you the job.

Let's get to it.

Tired of using PowerPoint? Try Visme's presentation software for free. Tap into 1,000+ ready-made slides and templates , animation, interactivity, data visualization features, online sharing and more. Better yet, if you're on the hunt for a useful tool to help you out, consider using our AI presentation maker to create one in seconds.

Table of Contents

What is an interview presentation, what employers look for in an interview presentation, how to prepare for your interview presentation.

• 11 Interview Presentation Tips to Help You Stand Out

In many industries, interview presentations help recruiters pick the best candidate for the job.

They also help managers gauge a candidate's presentation skills, especially if the job role involves pitching to clients or top management.

Interview presentations often involve presenting formal talks about subjects that interest recruiters. These subjects could be directly related to your job role or the industry your prospective organization operates in.

Your interview presentation could potentially revolve around topics like:

• Emerging trends and innovations in a particular industry
• Competitive landscape and future predictions
• Business, operations and marketing strategies
• Improving sales and customer retention

It could also be about pitching your work experience, ideas and why you're the best fit for the role.

Let's say you're interviewing for a high-level position in the sales and marketing department. You may be asked to pitch the company's product or services to prospects or do these things:

• Predict trends in the industry where the company operates
• Talk about how the current market trend may affect sales for a particular line of products
• Present a marketing plan for your prospective role

Below is an interview presentation template that you can edit and use.

Sometimes, prospective employers may give you specific topics in advance, giving you ample time to prepare.

At other times, you may have to make blind presentations. This means you'll get topics shortly before the presentation and may have limited time to prepare.

Whatever be the case, nailing your interview presentations will up your chances of landing your new role.

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Take a moment to think about your best job interview.

Why did your employer choose to hire you ahead of other candidates? You probably ticked all the right boxes in terms of skills, experiences, education, personality and other factors.

But most importantly, it's how you presented your skills, capabilities and knowledge about the role that probably blew their minds.

At every stage of the hiring process, employers look for outstanding candidates who measure up to their expectations. These expectations may differ based on the job role, industry and organizational structure.

However, on a general note, recruiters will readily opt for candidates who:

• Understand the organization and its line of business
• Know their job role and what's expected
• Understand the company mission and will fit into the company culture
• Show passion, ambition and leadership qualities
• Demonstrate the ability to use their skills and experience to drive the company forward
• Know how to communicate and present in front of a small or large group of people

What specific presentation skills do employers look for?

Excellent presentation skills are a must-have for most client-facing roles or high-level positions. Therefore, asking a candidate to make presentations during interviews can help companies assess whether they can deliver on the job.

Not only that, interview presentations provide deeper insight into your abilities and skills, such as:

• Presentation design skills
• Verbal and written communication style
• The ability to hook, engage and interact with your audiences
• Ability to deliver the message with clarity
• Diligence and attention to details
• Work experience and sector knowledge
• Ability to read and interpret the mindset of listeners
• Use of visual aids
• Time management and organization skills

For a blind presentation, the employer may want to feel your pulse or perspective on issues or take notice of things like:

• The ability to think on your feet
• How you perform under pressure
• How persuasive and creative you can be

Ultimately, the recruiter is also checking to see if you meet the core competencies for the job. Therefore, make sure to revisit them during the blind presentation.

Beyond landing the job, getting it right with your presentation can set the tone for further engagements with your colleagues and top management.

Preparation is one of the keys to delivering an excellent interview presentation.

Once you've received the details about the interview, don't leave your preparation till the last minute or assume you can wing it. Use the days leading up to the interview to put the necessary things in place.

Here's what you should know. Preparing for your interview presentation puts you in control and increases your chances of securing the job.

Unfortunately, knowing how to prepare for interviews may be a big challenge for many people.

But we've got you covered.

Use these tips below to get yourself interview-ready.

1. Ask the Right Questions

Whether you receive a phone call or email about your interview, ensure you're clear about the details. Rather than make sweeping assumptions, go ahead and do these things:

• Find out what your prospective employers expect from you.
• Ask if you'll get a topic before the presentation date or if it's a blind presentation. Also, find out if you'll be allowed to choose from a list of topics.
• Find out who your audience will be (recruitment agencies, HR, supervisors, top-level management).
• Ask how many people will be present at the interview.
• Make sure to ask how long the presentation will last. Having a timeframe will help you decide what to add or delete from the presentation.
• Find out if they have a preferred presentation style.
• Ask what technical equipment and presentation tools will be available.
• Find out whether there'll be provision for sound, audio and visuals.

By asking these questions, you'll know what recruiters expect from you and align your presentation to match their needs. Plus, they'll judge your suitability for the role based on how you pay attention to the finest details.

2. Research the Company and the Position Before the Interview

Now you have answers to the fundamental questions, go ahead and research the company and the position you've applied for.

That's not all. Find out the industry the company operates, the major players and where the company ranks within the industry.

Doing this will enable you to:

• Structure your presentation and
• Interpret your job role within the context of the industry where the company operates.

For example, if you're an accounting professional, it's not enough to understand general accounting principles.

You'll have to understand what your role entails within the context of the industry you'll be working in. It could be oil and gas, mining, tech, construction, health, finance or entertainment.

Here are other things you should find out during your research.

Company Vision, Mission and Goals

Find out the company's history, what they stand for and their area of interest. It's also a good idea to research their major competitors and how they've fared in the market.

But how do you find this valuable information?

The company's website and social media channels are good starting points. News, blogs and third-party sites can provide more information about what the company has been up to.

Having this essential info will help you:

• Determine subjects relevant to the company and the area you should focus on,
• Tailor your interview presentation to their needs and
• Impress your potential employers.

Not only that, but it also shows you're prepared to be part of that organization's culture.

Potential Audience

Part of your research should be to find out who is going to be interviewing you. One way to get that information is by asking the company's HR or using your intuition.

For example, if you're applying for a sales and marketing position, the marketing, sales and HR managers will most likely be on the interview panel.

Next, find out their interests and job responsibilities. Platforms like LinkedIn , Meetup , Indeed and other job boards can come in handy.

You might want to take note of their experience levels.

Professionals with different experience levels have varying concerns.

For example, while top management may care about your administrative or leadership abilities, a team lead may be more interested in your technical or problem-solving skills.

If you focus on what matters most to your audience, you'll attract their interest and win them over.

3. Structure Your Interview Presentation

If you want to keep your audiences hooked to your slides, ensure your presentation is well-structured.

Doing this will keep you on track and prevent your audience from zoning out of your presentation.

Here's how to create an excellent presentation structure.

In its simplest form, a well-structured presentation should have an introduction, body and conclusion.

• Compelling introduction: Your introduction should briefly sum everything about you, your presentation objectives and why it's relevant to your audience. You can ask a question, tell a story, share facts or use humor to spark interest.
• Engaging body: This is where you present the main details of your topic. Make sure to back your argument with facts or a wealth of information that shows that you're the best candidate for the job. Talk about the company goals and how you'll help to achieve them.
• Memorable conclusion: Here, you should present your key takeaways about the topic. Likewise, briefly reiterate your skills, experience, expertise, past achievements and why they should hire you.

You can use presenter notes to ensure you stick to the structure. Throughout your presentation, keep your message clear. Plus, make sure every part of your presentation relates to the topic.

Check out this article for more tips on how to structure your presentation .

Structure your interview presentation to make it appealing and impactful like the one below.

4. Pay Attention to Design

Remember, first impressions count. And your interview presentation isn't an exception to this rule. Excellent presentation designs help you create an impactful first impression on your interviewers.

Think of your design as the aesthetic element that etches your presentation in your viewer's minds and sways them in your favor.

Whether you're pitching the company's product or your resume , having flawless interview presentation designs will help you tell stories better.

Not only does it create a memorable impression, but it also makes your presentation pack a punch.

You can start from scratch or jumpstart your creativity with interview presentation examples like the one below.

While creating your presentation slides , here are some things you should keep in mind:

Keep It On-Brand

Try to tailor your presentation design (font, color scheme, background, image) to the company's identity and visual language. Companies like Starbucks, Skype, Spotify and Netflix provide brand guidelines on their website.

Brand guidelines generally contain a set of rules on using the company’s branding elements. If the company doesn't have a brand guide, you can use the colors on their logo or website for your slide design.

Interviewers will most likely focus on a presentation designed in their organization's brand format. And doing this will show you've done your research about the company.

Pro Tip:  Use Visme's Brand Design Tool to automatically generate a branded presentation template with your employer's logo, colors and fonts. Simply enter in the URL to their website and watch the magic happen!

Create branded content & graphics with ease

• Add your brand color’s hex codes for easy access
• Upload or select your brand fonts
• Easily incorporate brand elements into your Vismes

Use Lots of White Space

Avoid cluttering your interview presentation slides with too many ideas, text or images. This could overwhelm your audience and make your presentation a pain in the eyes.

When designing a clean and effective presentation, it's important to use lots of white space. Don't use more than six words per slide . Stick to one idea and a minimum of two images per slide.

Use High-Quality Images

Be sure to use high-quality visuals that drive an emotional appeal.

Better yet, every visual you use should have a purpose behind it. If you're presenting an overview of yourself, it makes sense to use a nice, high-quality headshot of yourself. Take a cue from the interview presentation sample to create yours.

Even if you're using stock photos  to spice up your slides, make sure the images are carefully selected to balance the text on each slide and are relevant to the topic that's being discussed.

Using low-quality, irrelevant or pixelated images can not only make your presentation boring, but it can also negatively impact your image and make you come across as careless or lazy.

Make Your Slides Easy to Read

When selecting fonts and sizing them, use fonts that are readable on small and large screens. Stick a font size of 36 pixels for titles and at least 30 pixels for body text.

Additionally, to make your message pop, maintain a solid contrast between your text and background. If you use a dark background, use a white font color and vice versa. You can grab inspiration from the job interview presentation sample below.

In the template above, notice how the dark text color pops vibrantly on the white background. Additionally, the fonts are legible enough for readers to digest the message in the slide.

If you want to learn more about making your slide designs shine, read our in-depth article on how to create good presentation design .

5. Use Charts and Graphs to Visualize Data

As mentioned before, sprawling text and bullets aren't enough to drive visual appeal. You need to use visual aids to break up text and boost visual appeal.

By using a range of formats like graphs, statistics, diagrams , video clips and images, you can easily maintain audience attention and get your points across.

Notice how the job interview presentation sample below uses data visualization to present information.

Are you looking for high-resolution visuals for your interview presentations?

If the answer is yes, Visme's presentation maker has everything you need. The tool has a robust library of free and premium stock images, elegant fonts, icons, graphs, charts, infographics and other visual aids.

6. Keep Your Presentation Clear, Unique and Impactful

When it comes to making presentations or a pitch deck, less is more.

As a presenter, you want recruiters to glance at your slide, gain interest and listen to you. Hence it's best to keep your slide short and simple, aiming for ten slides or less.

Be careful not to load too much information on your slides or break off tangents that don't support your topic.

Just like you, other applicants are looking to give an impressive presentation. Make your presentation memorable and unique. This will convince your employer that you are the ideal candidate for the job.

One way to make your presentation unique is by:

• Creating a simulated project or demo
• Using case studies related to the company's operations
• Creating a strategic plan for your intended role or department
• Depicting how you would use your skills to achieve the desired project goals

If you're doing a job presentation for a marketing position, for example, you can create a detailed strategic plan that wins the heart and minds of your interviewers using the template below.

7. Practice Your Delivery

Your interview presentation is a critical stage in the recruiting process. And having an excellent delivery will solidify your chances of getting the job.

However, having a flawless delivery starts with practice, practice and more practice.

For example, Steve Jobs was one of the most phenomenal speakers of his time. His keynotes and demos were compelling and filled with passion and energy.

But if you pull back the curtain, you'll realize why presentations were magical. What seemed spontaneous took hours and hours of practice.

Here's the thing. Rehearsing your presentation beforehand will help avoid babbling or being caught off guard.

Not only that, practice will make you become confident, familiar with you presentation outline or structure and deliver your presentation smoothly.

How do you practice your interview presentation?

First off, deliver your presentation in front of a mirror and record yourself while you're at it. Repeat this as many times as possible and watch out for mistakes that could hurt your presentation.

Next, practice your presentation before your friends and ask them to take notes. Doing this will enable you to get feedback or work on areas that require improvements.

Encourage them to provide detailed feedback rather than general feedback like: "you did well" or "great design".

Before presenting his first TED Talk, author and business podcaster Tim Ferriss practiced his presentation with a group of friends and strangers. He went ahead to incorporate their feedback and suggestions in his next rehearsal.

During practice, go ahead and do these things:

• Time yourself to ensure your presentation falls within the allowed time
• Keep your shoulder and head high up
• Maintain eye contact with your audience (friends, family or professional colleagues)
• Be expressive and articulate your words with confidence.
• Take deep breaths and pauses in between your presentation
• Be audible and avoid speaking too fast

As you practice repeatedly, you'll have your points at your fingertips. Plus, you'll become more confident about your interview.

Dr. Jill Bolte Taylor practiced her 18-minute TED Talk about 200 times before getting on stage. Her speech below, “ My Stroke of Insight,” has amassed well over 25 million views on the TED site alone.

8. Follow Presentation Guidelines

While preparing for your big day, adhere to the employer's rules for the interview presentation.

The interview rules could include:

• Interview arrival time
• Document required
• The focus of the presentation and allotted time

For instance, if your interviewer says candidates must complete their presentation in 10 minutes, don't exceed the allocated time.

If you've not been given a time limit, keep your presentation between 10-20 minutes. Remember — people have short attention spans.

When you adhere to the guidelines, employers will believe you're reliable and can work with available resources.

9. Use the Right Presentation Tool

The tool you use to prepare your presentation is as important as the content. You'll find tons of presentation software out there, including PowerPoint, Keynote, Google Slides, Visme, Prezi and more.

Sometimes, your potential employer may favor a particular platform for your interview presentation. But more often than not, they'll leave you to make a choice.

In this case, it's advisable to build your presentations using a tool that's not only familiar but has everything you need to make your content shine. We strongly recommend a feature-rich tool like Visme .

Whether you're a novice or expert, Visme is precisely made to help you craft beautiful presentations and nail your delivery. The tool has 500+ templates, animations, fonts, and design themes that match your style and any niche you can think of.

You can also check out our quick video on how to create beautiful and professional interview presentations in Visme.

10. Have a Backup Plan

Keep in mind that complications could arise. Having a backup plan can help you put things back on track and complete your presentation successfully.

Your employer will mainly provide a screen, laptop, USB and other equipment.

Still, it would help to bring along your laptop and USB drive. They could come in handy if you want to quickly make some adjustments to your slide or review them before the presentation.

In addition, make sure to:

• Have duplicate copies of your presentation. You can save a copy on a USB stick, external drive or cloud drive.
• Email the file to yourself and the interviewers.
• Bring along a few printed handouts or copies of your slides, which you'll share with your audience.

Taking these steps can save the day if anything goes wrong such as computer breakdown, corrupt files, power disruption and other technical glitches.

11. Determine Follow-up Questions and Provide Answers

Now your preparation is in top gear. But wait, there's one more thing.

After creating your presentation, review the content and check for readability and spelling errors.

Then think up questions your audience might ask after your delivery. You'll want to brace up for questions that are both related and not related to the topic.

Here is a list of the common interview presentation questions that you can expect:

• What solutions do you recommend in light of the current realities and trends?
• Why do you recommend this solution?
• What strategy do we use to solve this problem?
• How do we convince investors to buy into this project?
• What resources do we need to execute these projects?
• What processes can we put in place to ensure the success of this project
• How do you plan to minimize the risks of this project?
• How does your recommendation align with the company's short-term and long-term goals?

Create a stunning presentation in less time

• Hundreds of premade slides available
• Add animation and interactivity to your slides
• Choose from various presentation options

11 Interview Presentation Tips

You've put in the work to prepare your interview presentation. Great job! Now the day and time of your presentation have arrived.

These 11 interview presentation tips will help you win your employers over.

1. Pick the Right Outfit

There's no hard and fast rule to picking the right interview outfit. And that’s because different companies and industries have preferred dress codes.

So your best bet will be to ask the hiring manager before the interview date. This will enable you to align your attire with the company culture.

Whether the acceptable dress code is formal or casual, wear something that makes you appear smart and confident. But when in doubt, stick to formal and smart business attire.

2. Arrive Early and Settle In

Whether you have an online or physical interview or presentation, this is a no-brainer. Showing up late doesn't only leave a bad impression, but it could cost you the job.

Arriving early to your interview will give you enough time to settle your nerves and tie loose ends.

A good rule of thumb is to arrive 15 to 20 minutes before your presentation. You'll have ample time to get comfortable with the equipment and the environment.

3. Start Strong and Build Rapport

The opening part of your interview presentation is where you set the mood for the rest of the presentation.

Here, you have to draw your audience in and convince them to listen to you. So aim to make it impactful and enthralling.

Once you get on the stage, build rapport with your audience.

Start by introducing yourself, professional experience, skills and educational background. Then, highlight your career achievements, records, awards and portfolio like the example interview presentation slide below.

The goal is to impress and attract your audience's attention. This is the moment where you convince recruiters that you’re worth listening to.

When it comes to your presenting your topics, you can kick off your presentation with the following techniques:

• Use captivating quotes
• Mention compelling statistics about the organization, industry or subject
• Tell an interesting story about yourself or the subject
• Talk about a trending news topic

Not only will this help draw your interviewers in, but it will engross them and set the mood for the rest of the presentation.

4. Be Confident

You've worked so hard to get to this point. Be confident that you've got this. Projecting confidence is also as important as having an incredible resume.

Recruiters love to listen to confident candidates. And developing this mindset will help you inspire trust and build connections with your potential employer.

If you're looking to keep your confidence high, do these things:

• Speak with authority and make eye contact with your audience: This is you selling yourself and reiterating that you've got all it takes to do the job.
• Pay attention to your body language: That's the first thing people notice. The way you carry yourself says a lot about how confident you are. Do your best to maintain the right body posture, smile, keep your head up and appear comfortable.
• Use hand gestures: Utilizing strong hand gestures adds personality to your speech and makes you expressive. For example, moving your hand in an upward motion can describe growth rate or increase. Likewise, opening or closing your hands depicts sizes.

5. Deliver Like a Pro

While making your presentation, ensure your delivery is crisp and clear.

Whether you're using your voice or microphone, command attention by enunciating words clearly and projecting them to the back of the room. Otherwise, you'll come across as timid or unsure of your assertions.

Resist the temptation to use a dull tone or communicate without facial expressions.

Instead, deliver your speech with passion and vary your pitch to convey feelings and different emotional intensities. Delivering your message with emotion and liveliness will keep your audience hooked.

Most people tend to speak fast when they're nervous. Well, if this happens, your interviewer may miss out on important points.

Thus, maintain a reasonable pace and have occasional pauses in between. This will give you time to catch your breath, collect your thoughts and let your messages sink in.

Remember your slide is supposed to support your presentation, so avoid reading your slides or notes. Doing this will bore your audience and give them the impression that you're inept on the subject.

Showcase your expertise with the help of the presentation interview template below.

6. Tell a Compelling Story

Storytelling is one the most effective ways to structure your interview presentation.

Whether you're simulating a project, discussing a technical topic or pitching your skills, storytelling is the key to winning audience interest.

Top business leaders are making the most of it. You should make it the foundation of your interview presentation.

For example, in the video below, Sara Blakely, founder of Spanx, leverages storytelling to explain how she built a successful product.

One of the reasons why Steve Jobs stood out during presentations is his ability to tell captivating stories. He used storytelling during his keynote addresses, pitches and notably during the launch of the first iPhone in 2007.

Here's the thing. Telling stories engages your audience and helps understand your points. Also, it makes your presentation more impactful and memorable.

Here's how to use storytelling during your interview presentation

• Plot: Select an area of focus and make it resonate with your audiences
• Characters: Highlight the major players in your story. It could be you, the company, the industry, competitors, etc.
• Opposition: Present a problem and why it matters to the organization or audience
• Journey: Discuss what you bring to the table regarding the solution, planning, execution, monitoring, problem-solving and management
• Conclusion: End with a strong resolution

What's more? To make your presentation cohesive and well-thought-out, use practical examples.

For example, the slide below highlights current gaps or problems.

Then, the next slide suggests practical steps to address the gaps or solve the problems.

7. Use Visual Aids

We discussed this during the preparation phase. And you've got to make it count while delivering your presentation.

Adding visuals to your story is a winning formula that works all the time.

Why? Interestingly about 65% of people are visual learners. Plus, our brains are wired to pay more attention to visual content.

But those are not the only reasons you should incorporate visuals into your presentation.

• Visuals attract audience attention and enhance your delivery
• With visuals, your audiences can quickly understand complex ideas
• They appeal to your viewer's imagination and drive an emotional connection
• Visual add power to your words and keeps your speech on track

You can use video, images, infographics and symbols to describe ideas or concepts. Map charts or statistical maps can help visualize geographical information.

You can visualize numbers using graphs, line charts, pie charts, bar charts and maps like in the slide template below.

8. Use Speaker Notes

While creating your slides, you can store essential talking points in your presenter notes. These notes are visible to you but aren't visible to your audience.

They help you recall key points like quotes, stats or ideas as you present.

Visme makes it super easy to add presenter notes to your slides. You can view your notes for the current and next slides as you present.

The tool also comes with a timer that helps you stay within the allocated time. If you're pressed for time, cut out the least relevant points and move the most important ones. Ultimately make sure you don't exceed the allotted time.

9. Be Prepared To Adapt

We get it. You've practiced your presentation and put other things in the right place.

However, keep in mind that things don't always go as planned. So you have to be willing to adapt to changes.

For example, you may have prepared a 10 minute presentation for interview and you’re given less than five minutes. Also, you may have planned to deliver your presentation and then take questions. But your interview may commence with questions or ask questions while you’re presenting.

Whatever the case, be prepared to pause for questions or switch to further discussion unexpectedly.

10. Have a Strong Closing

Your conclusion is as important as the intro. It determines what your audiences will walk away with and how they will feel about you.

Generally, it should be a summary of everything you discussed earlier. Therefore you have to bring it full circle and make it connected to the rest of your presentation.

Most importantly, make it convincing and memorable.

If your interviewer can remember the key takeaways from your presentation, you'll have the edge over other candidates.

Here's how to end your interview presentation in a memorable way:

• Ask your audience questions about the topic that sparks curiosity and gets them thinking.
• End with key takeaways that highlight the main points of your presentation.
• Double down on the problems and how you can help solve them.
• Mention how your recommended solution can help the company grow and increase their competitive edge
• Tie your message to an interesting quote that aligns with the company vision, mission and goals
• Highlight intriguing milestones and figures you can help the company achieve like profit margins, growth rate, market valuation, increased productivity, revenue growth, etc.
• Demonstrate that you are open to feedback, questions and further discussion about the topic

Use the job interview presentation example below to craft a striking conclusion that leaves a lasting impression on your audience.

11. Take Questions and Feedback at the End

After you've concluded your presentation, get ready for questions and feedback from interviewers.

Keep in mind that the questions may differ from what you rehearsed. Still, make sure you answer the question with confidence and demonstrate expertise.

If the question is challenging, take a moment to compose your thoughts before responding. Also, if the question isn't clear, don't be afraid to ask for clarification.

In any case, the panel will judge your suitability for the role based on what you say, how you present yourself and how you approach questions.

Ace Your Interview Presentations with Visme

Creating an effective interview presentation can be your weapon to launch or advance your career. With a winning interview, you can outperform other candidates and convince your prospective employers that you're the right fit for the job.

But it all starts with setting aside hours to prepare for your presentations. In addition, make sure you follow all the tips we've shared for delivering your presentation.

Looking to create a presentation that will land you that new role? Then you need to use intuitive presentation software like Visme.

Whether you're a learner or an expert, Visme is easy to use. We guarantee that it will pay off more than you can imagine. The tool offers hundreds of pre-built presentation templates, built-in graphics, multimedia, design elements and more.

Beyond creating stunning presentations, you'll be able to share your presentation live. You can also embed it to your website or download it as a video or editable file formats like PDF, PPTX and more.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How do you start an interview presentation.

There are a few great ways to start your presentation with style, immediately grabbing your audience’s attention:

• Start with a provocative question or statement.
• Tell a story.
• Quote an influential person.
• Ask a question.
• Tell a joke.

What is a good presentation topic for an interview?

When creating a presentation as a part of a job interview, you want to choose a topic that will help to sell yourself and your knowledge. This might mean a prior project you worked on, some new tech in your industry, new industry trends, etc.

What is the point of an interview presentation?

An interview presentation helps potential employers understand your actual knowledge level in the industry. If you’re able to give an in-depth presentation showcasing how well you know about something related to your field, they’re much more likely to want you on their team.

How do you improve your interview presentation skills?

Looking to improve your presentation skills ? A few key interview presentation ideas and tips include:

• Keep your slides short and sweet.
• Practice before you present.
• Don’t read off your slides.
• Create a visually appealing presentation design .
• Show off your personality.

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How to Prepare for a Mock Sales Presentation in a Job Interview

8 Steps to Crush the Mock Sales Presentation in the Job Interview

Interviewing for a sales job is nerve racking enough as is. From the initial phone screen with a recruiter, to a few different in-person interviews with members of the sales team, to completing any assessments or projects, to meeting with the hiring manager…it can be a lot.

You’ve done it all and made it to the final stages of the sales interview process seamlessly. Well done.

Now you’re onto one of the last steps of the process… completing a mock sales presentation.

What is a mock sales presentation?

A mock sales presentation is a common exercise during the sales interview process for companies to gauge a candidate’s ability to present a product/solution, as well as determine how that candidate runs a meeting, and holds the attention of a room. The hiring manager is trying to understand the candidate’s ability to sell, and determine if they are the right salesperson to hire who can effectively sell the value of their product/service to a decision maker. They are evaluating your hard and soft selling skills.

As a contending candidate for the sales job you’re interviewing for, the mock sales presentation is an opportunity for you to do your homework, practice, and come prepared to knock the sales presentation out of the park. OR it’s a chance for you to not prepare, “wing it,” and throw away your chances of getting the job offer.

Now let’s assume if you’re reading this post, you want this sales job and want to crush your mock sales presentation. If that’s the case, read on…

Here are 8 steps to help you prepare for your mock sales presentation.

1. Embrace the Awkwardness of Role-Playing

A mock sales presentation is role-playing. It’s make believe, it’s weird, it’s awkward…it’s supposed to be. That is the point. Companies want to see how you perform and what you do when you are asked to do something outside of your comfort zone. Go own it.

2.  Do Your Homework

Collect the necessary information you need to prepare for this assignment. Usually, the company will provide you with a scenario and sales presentation details, including: where are you in the sales cycle, the goal of the meeting, reading materials, an itinerary with titles, and a slide deck to work off of.

If they do not supply this information, ask for it. You would have all this information going into a real sales meeting, so you should have it now.

3. Understand You Are NOT an Expert

In preparation for your presentation, understand that you are NOT supposed to be a complete expert on this company or their products…that is not the point of exercise. You want to be knowledgeable of the company and its products, but this is a test of your soft skills and how you present. You do this every day. Show them how you do it.

{ Related Article: 30 Ways to Ruin an Interview in 30 Seconds }

4. Do Not Go Overboard With Your Slide Deck  

You will build out a slide deck of content, do not go over the top. Try not to make too many slides. There are great tools and technology that can help you outline your presentation. Remember that PowerPoint is a tool to help present but that it is not THE presentation. You should also email the slide deck to yourself before the meeting and you may also want to have a few print outs just in case.

{Get Even More Prepared! Watch this Video on How to Prepare for a Mock Sales Presentation Below}

5. Set the Stage for the Performance 

Game day is here. You’ve prepared and practiced, now it’s time to perform.

• Show up to the office early (don’t be late). Arriving 10-15 minutes early is appropriate, especially if you need time to set up your presentation.
• Dress the part (professional attire is always your best bet). You don’t want an outfit that distracts your audience and takes away from your presentation. Keep it classy with a suit and tie (no Daffy Duck ties), or a dress/skirt and simple blouse. 
• Have your slide deck and other materials with you. Technology may not always cooperate so make sure you have everything you need to present if things go awry.
• Set the stage before going right into the role-play. When you enter the room for the mock sales presentation, reconfirm who everyone is (the parts they play) and where you are in the sales process. Once all of that is clear, it’s showtime. 

6. Give the Shakespearean Performance of a Lifetime

It’s time to relax and do what you do… SELL .  Stand up with confidence, high energy, make eye contact with everyone around the room, and talk TO your potential customers, not AT them.

They will chime in with questions. Some of the questions will be fair and some of them will not. Do not get frustrated or disheveled. Remember, this is make believe.  If you are asked a question that you do not know the answer to, don’t sweat it. That happens all the time in sales. However, do not make up an answer. You would never do that in a legitimate sales meeting so do not do it now. Slow it down, tell them that you do not know the answer but you will do the necessary research to get the answer to him/her by the end of day.

7. Wrap Up With Q&A…Then CLOSE

Like with any sales presentation, make sure you allow the panel to ask questions. Even if they are asking questions throughout the presentation, still give them some time for Q&A to wrap up with you. Again, you would do this in a real sales meeting, so do it here too. And DON’T FORGET TO CLOSE. Just like in any sales meeting, you need to close and ask about next steps.

8. Break Character

Lastly, at the end of the presentation when there are no further questions, it’s time to break character and look for feedback and coaching on your mock sales presentation. 

Get back to the interview and ask the hiring manager, “What did you like most about the presentation?”, “What did you like least?”, “What could I improve on?”, “Would any of this approach fit into this sales model?”’ 

You are showing them that you do not know it all and that you are coachable. They will provide you with some candid feedback and voice their concerns.

*Remember to close the interviewer . After this presentation ask about next steps in the interview process. Make sure you are a top candidate moving forward in the process.

The mock sales interview is a unique step in the interview process and a step to move top candidates towards offer stage. Take pride that you made is this far in the process, and make sure you take the time to prepare and excel at this stage of the interview. Practice makes perfect. Review these 8 mock sales interview steps and go get the job!

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6 Powerful Sales Interview Tips (Ft. Sales Pros Who GOT The Job)

How do you sell yourself in a sales interview?

That’s what we’ll answer in this sales interview tips guide.

In my conversations with junior and senior sales executives, I discovered that it boils down to technical skills, deep passion for their fields, and an insane amount of research . 

This guide is broken down into two major sections.

To begin, you’ll learn how to create a compelling sales presentation from sales executives who got the job. Next, you’ll hear from senior sales executives on the traits that differentiate A+ sales representatives from the competition. 

By the end of this guide, you’ll know how to prepare for the toughest interview questions ahead, beat the pre-interview nerves, and get that dream sales job— like the pro that you are!

Part I: Sales Interview Tips from Junior Sales Executives in SaaS Startups

Tip #1. research the company’s current and future outlook .

Michael Weinstein cites the mock presentation as the most challenging part of his sales interview. 

The enterprise account executive, who also runs Sales Trax on the side, was tasked with presenting the company’s product to the hiring manager and VP .

Michael began his preparation by researching the company’s website. He also read about the company on Gartner and Forrester and watched the latest keynote speech.

Based on these resources, Michael was able to determine the direction of the product and position his presentation accordingly. He even signed up for the company’s free trial and incorporated it into his slides. 

“I tried to learn where the business was heading to, not just where it had been previously. This way, I communicated that I really cared about their business.” Michael Weinstein, enterprise account executive

“It wasn’t anything pretty,” shares Michael. “But it showed I really wanted the job. And it worked!”

Tip #2. Get Clear on the Company’s Best Customers

Léonore Fabre joined PickYourSkills six months ago, and she still remembers her interview like it was yesterday.

The junior sales executive had received an email from the head of sales, instructing her to share how she would pitch to the startup’s ideal customer .

After receiving the product documentation and the names of a few current clients, Léonore got to work:

• Create a fictional company to identify the decision-maker among the different software buyers 
• Research the decision-maker’s daily challenges
• Research the PickYourSkills website, blog, and social media accounts (Léonore’s goal here is to validate the pain points she identified from stages A and B) 
• Study the product documentation and highlight the relevant benefits when pitching to the decision maker

She also asked several sales qualification questions to uncover the right needs and create an interactive pitch (e.g., “What’s your current biggest challenge regarding planning management?”).

While we’re on the subject of questions, here are a few that Nathan Hughes, digital marketing and SEO manager at Diggity Marketing , suggests you should consider if you’re applying for a managerial position :

• Why do you want to work in sales?
• How comfortable are you with data analysis?
• What do you think are the essential skills and qualifications for success here?
• Why do you want to be a sales manager?
• What do you think motivates reps the most?
• What made you successful as a sales rep? How will your processes inform how you manage your team?
• How important is money to you?
• What do you think makes for a successful sales rep coaching session?
• What do you like and dislike about the sales process ?
• How comfortable are you with technology?
• What training method is most effective for new reps?
• What do you think it takes to be a good leader?
• What does a good manager need to do within this organization?

Part II: Sales Interview Tips from the Hiring Managers and VPs of Sales

Tip #3. obsession with company’s best customers.

[Author’s note: This is similar to Tip #2, but we’re adding it anyway as it reinforces the importance of customer research. Only this time around, you’ll hear from the hiring manager’s perspective.]

Swann Bruno, the head of sales at PickYourSkills, wants his sales reps to have “a true, genuine interest in their ideal customers.”

“During the interview, the candidate needs to show us they are curious and genuinely interested in what we do for our clients , their pains, and how to find the best solutions to their problems. They need to find the best way (in their opinion) to package and sell our product by understanding what our prospects are looking for.” Swann Bruno, head of sales at PickYourSkills

Tip #4. Deep Knowledge of Sales Stack

The ideal sales candidate boasts a history of experience and value creation using a customer relationship management (CRM) platform, says Daivat Dholakia, the director of operations at Force by Mojio .

Recounting his experience hiring a senior sales manager, Daivat shares with Breadcrumbs: 

“While we’ve previously trained people without prior experience using a CRM, I felt we were finally at the point where we needed new senior hires to jump straight into implementing our strategy using our system .”

The startup made significant progress with its sales after bringing on a senior sales manager with Salesforce and Pipedrive experience. The best part: Daivat was able to cut down the onboarding and training process . So, ensure your resume highlights CRM experience, especially with tools like Salesforce or Pipedrive, showing how you’ve used them to drive sales and streamline processes.

“Our senior sales manager immediately adapted to our workflow and joined in without much of a hitch,” adds Daivat.

“I can’t tell you how much easier it was than trying to bring a newcomer (even one with prior sales experience) up to speed.”

Pro Tip : Download the chrome extension WhatRuns . It’ll show you the CRM and other apps that power your dream company’s website. Locate the tools under “Sales and Marketing.” 

Tip #5. A+ Communication Skills

Ravi Parikh prioritizes verbal and written communication skills . The CEO of RoverPass says:

“Anyone can follow a script or write from a template, so that’s not what I’m talking about. What I’m talking about is the ability to quickly and efficiently communicate with customers in a well-put-together, professional, and grammatically correct manner that casts your startup in a good light and helps you achieve your sales goals.”

For RoverPass, setting this high standard led to a noticeable improvement in lead generation . 

“When people reach out about a prospective purchase, receiving a reply that is poorly worded or informal can be a huge turn-off ,” explains Ravi. 

“High levels of communication help you win over customers, close sales, and receive good recommendations from customers.”

Tip #6. Hire the Technically-Inclined

According to Tim Clarke, the best SaaS salespeople are comfortable discussing technology based on his years of experience.

The director of sales at SEOblog explains:

“A highly technical category needs a sales rep with strong attention to general technology trends and developments. It’s not enough to just know your product . You must also understand its integration and impact that fit other tech products.” Tim Clarke, director of sales at SEOblog

The technical sales reps are like strategic advisors in their fields, according to Tim. Technical questions won’t throw them off . They can quickly identify the most appealing features to buyers and educate them on making the most out of them. 

“It’s easier for these technical sales reps to convince prospects that our product is the best choice.”

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Nail Your Mock Sales Pitch and More with These Sales Interview Tips

These results-backed sales tips should help calm the pre-interview nerves and position yourself as the best candidate for the job.

Here’s a checklist that summarizes everything you’ve just learned. Make sure you tick all these boxes:

• Research company’s current and future outlook to determine the content and flow of your presentation. 
• Get clear on the company’s best customers . Your mock sales pitch should speak to their pain points and desires.
• Familiarize yourself with the company’s product . Go beyond the standard features and benefits. Understand how it plays a role in the entire ecosystem. 
• Master the company’s sales stack —or at the very least, have a working knowledge of it. Download the Chrome extension WhatRuns to find out the CRM (or other apps) that run the company’s website. 
• Brush up on your written and verbal communication skills . It’ll show yourself and the company in a positive light, attract sales and accelerate revenue in the long road ahead.

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How to Prep for a Mock Sales Pitch Interview + Creative Ways to Stand out

You can include all the fancy words and accolades you want on your resume. What interviewers want to see is your sales skills in action.

If you’re gunning for a sales job , it’s almost guaranteed you’ll be asked to do a mock sales pitch for your interview. Nail this pitch, and you’ll have a better shot at your desired job.

So, how can you set yourself up for success at your next sales interview? Let’s talk about:

• What is a mock sales pitch in an interview & why do you have to do one?
• How to prep for the mock sales pitch interview
• Three sales pitch examples for your interview: learn how to pitch yourself
• Creative mock sales pitch ideas for an interview

By the end of this article, you’ll be ready to walk into that office (or log into that Zoom meeting) with full confidence in your mock sales pitch skills.

What is a Mock Sales Pitch in an Interview & Why Do You Have to Do One?

Your resume and cover letter explain who you are and what you’ve done, and the questions you answer during your sales interview will tell the interviewer more about your personality and whether you’ll fit with the team.

However, watching your pitch is the best way to understand whether you can cut it as a salesperson.

That’s why—nerve-wracking as it may be—most interviewers will have you run through a mock sales pitch during your interview.

Want to ace your sales interview? Here's how to prepare a winning mock sales pitch.

How to Prep for the Mock Sales Pitch Interview

Wondering what to do before your sales interview? Here are five tips to help you prepare successfully and woo your interviewer:

1. Have a Clear Understanding of the Company and the Product

If the hiring manager asks you to do a mock sales pitch in your interview, you should know what you will be selling. In most cases, this means getting to know the product that this company sells.

Of course, the interviewer doesn’t expect you to have expert knowledge of the product, but you should know enough to sell it properly.

So, research the company and the product. Get to know their style and personality through the sales copy on their website. Watch any videos or demos they have that talk about the product. Read what customers say about them. If it’s a SaaS product, start a free trial and get to know it from the inside.

Questions might come up while researching the product. Ask them—shows you’re interested and taking this process seriously. Here’s what Scott Schwartz, VP of Sales at HHAeXchange says about this :

I love when candidates send me questions before the presentation and collaborate with me… it shows me they’re paying attention.

The more you know about the product and industry, the better. So, why not ask someone who knows?

2. Know the Prospects You’ll Be Selling to

Your interviewer wants to know that you have the skills to adapt to their key audience and effectively speak with prospective customers.

So, as you learn about the company, dig into its customer base and get a sense of its ideal customer profile. What kind of companies work with them? Are their customers all in a specific industry? Is the primary target market a particular department inside a company or even a specific role?

When you walk into a mock sales pitch with a clear understanding of the company’s primary customer, you are already setting yourself apart from other candidates. Prove to the interviewer that you can speak quickly with prospective customers. Take time to pick up on the lingo or understand their main concerns.

Again, if you have questions about the company’s customer base, ask before the interview. This will show that you’re willing to put in the extra effort and that you want to reach the customers, not just get the job.

3. Remember to Showcase Your Sales Strengths, not Your Knowledge of the Product

As we said above, no one expects you to be an expert on a product you’ve never sold. Instead, focus on what makes you stand out as a sales rep.

Throughout your sales career , however long or short, you’ve honed your skills and developed your unique selling style. You want to showcase this in a mock sales presentation during your interview.

For example, are you adept at discovering needs? Do you have a unique way of turning objections into benefits ? Are your questions always spot-on? Think of the mock sales pitch as your opportunity to showcase your best skills and prepare accordingly.

4. Think About How You’ll Answer Common Sales Interview Questions

While you can never be 100 percent sure what you’ll be asked during a sales interview, there are a few sales interview questions you will most likely hear in some form or another.

Here are some guidelines on how to answer some of the more common sales interview questions:

Why are you interested in sales?

You want to have a clear reason for being in sales and a strong narrative around it. When I interview people, one of my main questions is why.

For some people, the reason will be that they want to make a lot of money. For others, it will be because they have much experience and insight into the particular industry. After all, they like to communicate with people for many other reasons. There are no good or bad reasons, but they should be your honest reasons, and you should have clarity about this.

Why do you want to sell this product? Why do you want to work with this company?

Believing in a product is a good motivation to sell it, which is why most interviewers will ask some variation of this question. Know something about the product and the target market, and you’ll prove you took the time to develop an interest in this sales job with this company (not just any sales job with any company).

When was the last time you missed the quota?

If you tell an interviewer you’ve never missed quota, they’ll assume you’re lying. Because, let’s face it, all salespeople miss quota at some point. This question aims to poke at your vulnerable spots and see how you handle the pressure. So, talk about missing quota, why you missed it, what you learned from the experience, and how you’ve improved.

What was the most challenging/most significant deal you’ve closed?

This is your opportunity to impress, so prepare beforehand by choosing the right sales story to share. Frame the story well, think about the skills you used to overcome challenges and give real figures of the deal if possible.

5. Come Into the Interview with a Plan of Action

Hiring managers love proactive workers. So, what are your plans starting Day 1 of your new job? How do you plan to start learning the systems and products you’ll be selling? What’s your process for getting to know the unique sales process of this company? How will you get to know the customers and the competitors?

That is true; most companies will have specific onboarding processes that answer these questions for you. But when you come into the interview prepared with a plan of action to get yourself started, you prove you’re ready to hit the ground running and that you’re the type of worker who takes the initiative.

I generally look for people who focus initially on learning. If someone tells me they'd like to start in the new company by talking to different team members to gain internal knowledge, that's always a good thing.

These guidelines are your starting point to prepare for the interview and mock sales pitch.

3 Sales Pitch Examples for Your Interview: Learn How to Pitch Yourself

At some point, the interviewer will probably ask: “So, tell me about yourself.”

This is probably one of the most common (often most dreaded) interview questions. In a sales interview, though, this isn’t just a friendly opener. It’s an opportunity to give a pitch that sells yourself.

So, how can you develop a sales pitch that proves you’re the right hire for the position? Here are three sales pitch examples for an interview that will sell yourself as a sales professional:

1. Use Common Industry Problems to Capture Their Interest

How can you help solve the issues that this company is facing?

You know the everyday struggles and challenges facing sales teams because that’s your world. So, use that knowledge to sell yourself as the solution.

Here’s an example of this from Zety :

Photo credit: Zety

This example pulls at a common industry problem and shows how this salesperson created a solution to that problem.

2. Build a Narrative with Your Experience

It’s no secret that stories are memorable and help get your point across better.

But that’s not an excuse to respond with your life story when asked to tell the interviewer about you.

Instead, frame your career story with a narrative that sells your skills and expertise:

3. Build a Pitch Based on Questions

Creating a sales pitch for an interview is the same as building a pitch to hook new prospects: you need to know their needs before presenting a solution.

So, what are the needs of the company you’re interviewing with? What are they looking for in a sales rep?

Here are some questions you can ask the interviewer to frame your responses to their needs better:

• Is this a new or existing position?
• What did you like about the last person who filled this position?
• What was missing from the last person who filled this position?
• What are your goals for a new [role] in relation to the company?
• How do you hope to benefit from filling this position?
• How is the success of this position measured?

When you ask these kinds of questions, you can connect the benefits of hiring you to their expressed needs.

Creative Mock Sales Pitch Ideas for an Interview

You’ve gone through the basic steps of preparing for an interview, which includes a mock sales pitch.

But how can you take your mock sales pitch to the next level?

Set the Stage Where You Can

Sometimes, you may lack some context during your mock sales pitch. Roleplay can feel stiff and awkward, so embrace and roll with it. Where you lack context, create it.

For example, start the mock pitch with something like this: “I’m going into this pitch assuming you were an inbound lead and that we’ve established basic product fit on an initial phone call.”

Where you can take some control of the situation, do so. This will allow you to pitch more naturally since you’ve been able to set the scene, and everyone knows where they’re coming from.

Focus on Qualification

Qualification is a massive part of the sales process, and the hiring manager will want to be clear that you know how to ask the right questions and weave those answers into your pitch.

So, become good at qualifying your sales leads . Don’t fall into the trap of giving a monologue simply because the situation is a bit awkward. Focus on understanding the prospect's needs and delivering a solution that fits those needs.

And yes, this can even work for the dreaded “Sell me this pen.” Find out why the prospect needs a pen and what they want from a pen, and then you’ll know how to sell it to them effectively .

Let Your Personality Shine Through

You are a unique soul whose style and personality shine through daily as you hit the phone. That should not change simply because you’re doing a mock sales pitch.

The pitch may be fake, but the results are just as real.

So, let your true personality shine through . Be as natural as possible, and make a conscious effort to relax before you begin. Talk to your interviewer like you talk to your prospects every single day. Treat this as a real sales pitch you’re giving to an actual customer, and you’ll feel more like yourself as you pitch.

Remember to Close

While it may seem obvious, you should plan ahead about how you want to close this deal .

In a real-life sales environment, you would have a specific call to action prepared to move this prospect along in the sales process . Since you’re working with an imaginary sales process, set an imaginary call to action for your mock sales pitch and push for that next step at the end.

You would never skip or minimize this part of the pitch in real life, so treat it the same in your mock pitch.

Show How Well You Take and Use Feedback

Many sales interviewers provide feedback and then ask you to give a second mock sales pitch during the interview.

How you respond to this feedback tells interviewers two important things:

• Whether you’re humble enough to accept criticism from your boss or peers
• How well do you listen to and apply feedback

The hiring manager wants to know if you’re coachable. A salesperson who accepts and applies feedback will quickly adjust their strategies and processes to best suit the customers, not cling to old strategies simply because they’re comfortable with them.

Coachability is an essential quality for a salesperson, so use this opportunity to demonstrate that you can use feedback practically.

Even if the interviewer doesn’t give you feedback, you can proactively ask for their opinion once your mock sales pitch is finished.

Nail Your Next Sales Interview and Mock Sales Pitch

Any job interview can be terrifying, but a sales interview with a mock pitch is even worse.

That said, when you’re well-prepared, you can confidently go into that interview.

Preparation for a sales interview is more than just researching the company and getting to know the product (although that’s important). You need to be ready with the right attitude to sell yourself to the interviewer.

Think of the entire sales interview as just another pitch, and you’ll approach it with the same energy and finesse you use to sell every day.

But there’s always room for improvement.

Want to take your sales pitches to the next level? Take a deep dive into the Ultimate Sales Pitch Guide , with eight chapters of expert advice on developing, scripting, delivering, and following up on a high-performing sales pitch .

One of the most essential skills to master for any sales rep is follow-up. Whenever I interview a sales rep, and I see that they have excellent follow-up skills, that's a big plus. I've written an entire book on the subject, and you can get it free today:

DOWNLOAD THE FOLLOW-UP FORMULA →

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50 Sales Interview Questions to Spot Top Talents + Ideal Answers

• September 23, 2024

Understanding sales interview questions is key to landing the right candidate or job. 

These questions are more than just tests—they reveal a candidate’s approach , strategy , and fit for the role . 

This guide breaks down everything you need to know to stand out in any sales interview. 

We cover the toughest questions and how to tackle them. 

We show you what really matters to interviewers and how to make sure you’re fully prepared. 

If you’re serious about improving your interview skills or finding the right candidate, this article is a must-read.

Common Sales Interview Questions

We’ve prepared essential questions that assess a candidate’s overall sales knowledge and approach. These questions help interviewers evaluate a candidate’s understanding of core sales principles, motivation, and ability to handle common challenges in sales jobs .

What is your sales process?

The ideal candidate should outline a structured and repeatable sales process that includes researching leads, engaging with prospects, qualifying their needs, presenting a tailored solution, handling sales objections , and closing the deal. 

They should also mention the importance of follow-up and nurturing relationships post-sale to encourage long-term success.

Why do you want to work in sales?

The candidate should demonstrate a genuine passion for sales , highlighting their love for the challenge, their desire to build relationships with clients, and the personal satisfaction they get from closing deals. They should also show an understanding of the demands of the role and the rewards it can bring.

What motivates you in a sales role?

Look for candidates who are motivated by both intrinsic factors, like personal growth and solving client problems , and extrinsic factors, such as hitting targets and achieving financial rewards . They should express enthusiasm for the fast-paced, competitive nature of sales.

How do you handle rejection?

The ideal candidate should describe how they handle rejection positively, seeing it as part of the sales process . They should focus on learning from each rejection to refine their approach and maintain a persistent and optimistic outlook.

How do you stay organized when managing multiple clients?

A strong response would detail the candidate’s use of CRM tools and time management strategies , such as prioritizing tasks, setting reminders, and keeping detailed notes on client interactions. They should emphasize their ability to stay on top of all responsibilities without letting anything fall through the cracks.

What do you know about our products and services?

The candidate should show that they’ve done thorough research on the company’s offerings, including specific products or services and the markets they serve. They should highlight key product features and benefits, demonstrating an understanding of how the products stand out in the marketplace.

How do you approach a cold call?

The candidate should describe a confident , systematic approach to cold calling , which involves researching the audience , personalizing the outreach, identifying their pain points quickly, and positioning the product or service as a solution. 

They should also mention being prepared to handle objections and guide the conversation toward next steps.

What do you consider your greatest sales achievement?

The ideal answer would include a specific , measurable accomplishment , such as closing a significant deal or exceeding a challenging target. The candidate should explain the steps they took to achieve the result, emphasizing the strategies they used to overcome obstacles and close the deal .

Why should we hire you for this sales position?

The candidate should confidently highlight their unique strengths , such as a proven track record of exceeding targets, strong client relationship-building skills, and specific expertise that aligns with the company’s needs. They should demonstrate why they would add value to the team.

How do you meet your sales targets?

The candidate should describe a systematic approach to hitting sales targets , including setting smaller goals, maintaining a full sales pipeline, regularly following up with leads, and adjusting their strategy based on performance data and feedback. They should also emphasize their consistent ability to meet or exceed quotas.

Personal Experience-Related Questions

Personal experience-based questions focus on a candidate’s past performance and hands-on experience in sales. These inquiries help interviewers evaluate how the candidate’s previous roles and achievements align with the demands of the current position, offering insights into their potential contributions.

Describe your previous sales experience.

The candidate should provide a concise yet comprehensive summary of their sales background, including the industries they’ve worked in, the roles they’ve held, and the types of products or services they’ve sold. They should highlight any notable successes or accomplishments, such as consistently exceeding targets.

What is your biggest sales success story?

The candidate should describe a specific achievement where they closed a significant deal or made a notable impact on revenue . 

They should explain the steps they took to achieve this, the challenges they overcame, and the measurable outcomes of their efforts, such as increased sales or expanded business with a key client.

Tell me about a time when you had to overcome a difficult objection.

The candidate should discuss a challenging situation where they encountered a major objection from a prospect, how they addressed the concern, and the successful outcome. They should focus on their problem-solving skills and ability to handle objections effectively without losing the deal.

How did you handle a situation where a client was dissatisfied?

The ideal answer would involve a situation where the candidate took swift action to resolve a client issue , demonstrating empathy, strong communication, and problem-solving abilities. 

They should describe how they managed the client’s concerns, the steps they took to address the problem, and how the client relationship was ultimately saved or strengthened.

What sales techniques have you found to be most effective?

The candidate should discuss their preferred sales techniques , such as consultative selling, and explain why they find these methods effective. 

They should mention how they tailor their approach based on the client’s needs and how their chosen techniques have led to successful outcomes, like closing more deals or building long-term client relationships.

Describe a time you worked under pressure to meet a deadline.

The candidate should describe a high-pressure situation where they had to close deals quickly to meet a sales deadline. 

They should explain how they prioritized tasks, managed their time, and stayed focused to hit their target, while highlighting the successful outcome of their efforts, such as exceeding their quota.

How have you built and maintained client relationships?

The candidate should describe their approach to building trust and long-term relationships with clients , including regular communication, providing value, and anticipating client needs. They should highlight any successful strategies for maintaining client loyalty and securing repeat business.

Tell me about a time you successfully upsold a product.

The ideal response would involve a specific example where the candidate identified an upsell opportunity, presented the added value to the client, and successfully convinced them to purchase additional products or services. They should emphasize the increase in revenue or the enhanced client relationship as a result.

Describe your experience with CRM tools.

The candidate should demonstrate familiarity with CRM systems, mentioning specific tools they’ve used and how they leverage them to manage their sales pipeline , track client interactions, and analyze performance data. They should explain how these tools help them stay organized and improve their sales efficiency.

What industries or markets have you worked in?

The candidate should provide an overview of the industries they’ve sold in and how this experience is relevant to the current role. They should explain how their knowledge of specific markets or industries helps them understand client needs, navigate sales cycles, and sell effectively.

Sales Management and Leadership Interview Questions

Leadership and management questions explore the candidate’s ability to lead a team, motivate sales reps, and manage performance. These questions are vital for assessing how well the candidate can balance individual success with team leadership, ensuring overall sales success.

How do you motivate underperforming sales team members?

The candidate should demonstrate their ability to identify the root causes of underperformance and take a tailored approach to motivation. 

They might describe using one-on-one coaching, setting clear goals, providing constructive feedback, and offering incentives to help the salesperson get back on track.

What is your approach to coaching and developing sales reps?

The ideal response would describe a hands-on approach to coaching, where the candidate focuses on identifying the strengths and weaknesses of each team member. 

They should emphasize personalized training, ongoing feedback, and setting measurable development goals to ensure continuous improvement.

How do you manage and prioritize your sales pipeline?

The candidate should explain how they use CRM tools to track prospects and prioritize leads based on factors like deal size, likelihood of closing, and deadlines. They should demonstrate an ability to balance short-term and long-term opportunities to ensure a healthy pipeline.

How do you handle conflicts within your sales team?

The candidate should explain how they address conflicts directly, facilitating open communication and understanding both sides of an issue. They should describe using mediation techniques and fostering a culture of collaboration to resolve disputes and maintain a positive sales team environment.

What’s your process for setting and tracking sales goals?

The candidate should outline a data-driven approach to setting realistic yet ambitious sales objectives . They should describe breaking down larger targets into achievable milestones and using metrics to track performance, adjusting strategies as needed to stay on course.

How do you measure and evaluate the performance of your team?

The candidate should discuss using key performance indicators (KPIs), such as quotas, win rates, and pipeline velocity, to evaluate individual and team performance. They should also emphasize the importance of qualitative feedback, such as client satisfaction, in assessing overall effectiveness.

How do you ensure your team hits its sales targets?

The candidate should explain how they set clear expectations, provide regular performance reviews, and implement strategies to keep the team on track. They should also describe how they support the team through coaching, additional resources, and recognizing achievements to keep morale high.

What leadership strategies do you use to improve team performance?

The candidate should highlight leadership techniques such as fostering collaboration, encouraging open communication, setting clear goals, and recognizing individual and team successes. They should demonstrate how these strategies create a high-performance culture that drives results.

How do you manage time between managing a team and meeting your own sales targets?

The candidate should describe effective time management strategies, such as delegating tasks, setting priorities, and blocking off time for individual and team responsibilities. They should show that they can balance their personal sales performance with leadership duties without compromising either.

What strategies do you implement to maintain high team morale?

The candidate should discuss how they use recognition , rewards , and team-building activities to keep morale high. They should emphasize the importance of fostering a positive work environment where team members feel supported and valued, especially during challenging times.

Sales Process and Strategy Questions

This section dives into a candidate’s approach to key aspects of the sales process, from prospecting to closing. These questions provide insight into the candidate’s strategic thinking, problem-solving abilities, and adaptability in handling different sales scenarios.

How do you approach prospecting and lead generation?

The ideal candidate should describe a multi-channel approach to prospecting, including cold calling, cold email outreach , networking, and leveraging referrals. They should highlight the importance of researching prospects to tailor their outreach and prioritize high-potential leads.

What’s your approach to nurturing leads?

The candidate should outline how they maintain regular communication with prospects, using personalized follow-ups, educational content, and timely updates to keep leads engaged. They should emphasize the importance of building trust and understanding the prospect’s needs to move them further down the sales funnel .

How do you handle the follow-up process after an initial sales meeting?

The candidate should describe a structured follow-up process, including sending a recap of the meeting, addressing any questions or concerns, and scheduling the next steps. They should emphasize timely communication and ensuring they stay top of mind with the prospect.

How do you prioritize leads in your sales pipeline?

The candidate should discuss how they evaluate leads based on factors such as deal size , potential fit , urgency , and likelihood of closing . They should demonstrate a methodical approach to lead scoring and explain how they focus their efforts on the most promising opportunities.

What strategies do you use to close difficult deals?

The candidate should highlight techniques like addressing objections, using urgency or scarcity, building strong relationships, and offering tailored solutions. They should emphasize persistence and the importance of understanding the prospect’s pain points to overcome resistance.

How do you manage your sales pipeline efficiently?

The ideal response would focus on using CRM tools to track deal stages, set follow-up reminders, and analyze pipeline health. The candidate should explain how they regularly review their pipeline to ensure deals are progressing and identify any bottlenecks that need addressing.

What is your approach to negotiating terms with a client?

The candidate should describe a collaborative approach to negotiation, where they aim to understand the client’s needs and find a mutually beneficial solution. They should highlight their ability to maintain flexibility while ensuring that they protect the company’s interests.

How do you handle long sales cycles?

The candidate should explain how they stay engaged with the prospect over extended periods, maintaining regular communication and providing value through insights or content. They should also describe how they keep the deal moving by setting clear next steps and managing expectations.

How do you ensure you're meeting or exceeding your quota regularly?

The candidate should describe how they break down their quota into smaller, achievable goals and maintain a full pipeline by consistently prospecting and following up. They should explain how they monitor their progress and adjust their strategy if they fall behind.

How do you decide when to walk away from a deal?

The candidate should explain how they evaluate whether a deal is worth pursuing based on factors such as time investment, potential revenue, and client fit. They should demonstrate the ability to recognize when a deal is unlikely to close and shift focus to more promising opportunities without wasting resources.

Sales Culture and Teamwork Questions

Sales success often depends on collaboration and a strong team dynamic. This section focuses on how candidates contribute to a positive sales culture, work with other departments, and support team members. 

It helps interviewers assess the candidate’s ability to balance individual performance with fostering a collaborative environment.

How do you work with other departments, like marketing, to support your sales efforts?

The candidate should explain how they collaborate with teams like marketing to align messaging , share insights from customer interactions, and leverage content or campaigns to generate leads. 

They should emphasize the importance of cross-department communication to ensure both teams are working toward common goals.

How do you handle working in a team environment versus individually?

The ideal response would show that the candidate can thrive in both situations. They should explain how they enjoy the support and collaboration of a team but can also manage their own tasks independently. 

They should highlight the flexibility to contribute to team objectives while also staying focused on personal sales targets.

How do you foster a collaborative culture in a competitive sales environment?

The candidate should discuss how they balance competition with collaboration by encouraging open communication, sharing knowledge, and recognizing team achievements. They should demonstrate a commitment to helping others succeed while maintaining healthy competition that drives results.

What role do you play in improving team performance?

The candidate should describe their active involvement in supporting and motivating the team. They might mention mentoring junior reps, sharing successful strategies, or stepping in to assist when a team member is struggling. They should emphasize a proactive approach to improving overall team success.

How do you celebrate team wins and individual successes?

The candidate should discuss how they acknowledge and celebrate achievements to boost morale. This could involve recognizing individual contributions during team meetings, organizing team celebrations, or simply offering praise and encouragement. 

They should show they understand the importance of recognition in maintaining a positive, motivated team.

How do you contribute to a positive work environment in your sales team?

The candidate should explain how they foster a positive atmosphere by maintaining open communication, offering support, and promoting mutual respect among team members. They should mention initiatives like regular check-ins or team-building activities that encourage trust and camaraderie.

How do you support your colleagues in meeting their sales goals?

The candidate should explain how they offer guidance or resources to colleagues when needed. This could involve sharing leads, providing advice on difficult deals, or offering encouragement during challenging times. They should demonstrate a team-first mindset, focusing on collective success.

How do you share best practices with your team members?

The candidate should describe how they openly share their own successful strategies, either in team meetings or one-on-one with colleagues. They might mention creating internal resources, such as training materials or templates, to help others improve their performance.

How do you handle conflicts or disagreements with team members?

The candidate should explain their approach to resolving conflicts, focusing on open communication and finding common ground. They should demonstrate their ability to stay calm and objective, addressing issues early before they escalate and working toward solutions that benefit the team.

How do you give and receive constructive feedback in a team setting?

The ideal response would show that the candidate is both open to receiving feedback and skilled at offering it in a constructive manner. They should describe how they frame feedback positively, focusing on growth and improvement, and how they use feedback from others to enhance their own performance. 

They should emphasize the importance of maintaining a supportive, non-judgmental atmosphere when providing input to colleagues.

Formulating Your Own Sales Interview Questions

Formulating your own sales interview questions helps you tailor the interview to fit your company’s needs. By focusing on key aspects like sales skills, industry knowledge, and cultural fit, you can ensure that you’re asking questions that truly reflect the qualities you’re seeking in a candidate.

• Assess specific sales skills : Evaluate core sales abilities such as prospecting, closing deals, and handling objections. This helps you understand the candidate’s proficiency in driving sales and managing the sales process from start to finish.
• Incorporate behavioral questions : Gain insights into how the candidate approaches problem-solving, handles stress, and collaborates with team members. Behavioral questions reveal past actions that can indicate future performance.
• Use situational questions : Present real-world sales scenarios to see how candidates react under pressure and make decisions. These questions assess their ability to think on their feet and apply their knowledge in challenging situations.
• Include industry-specific questions : Tailor questions to test a candidate’s familiarity with your industry, market trends, and customer pain points. This helps you determine how quickly they can adapt to selling your products or services.
• Tailor questions to the role level : Adjust the complexity of the questions depending on whether the candidate is applying for an entry-level, mid-level, or leadership position. This ensures you're assessing skills and experience appropriate to the role.
• Focus on individual and team performance : Assess both the candidate’s personal achievements and their ability to contribute to the success of the team. This can highlight whether they can perform independently and collaboratively.
• Evaluate knowledge of your products and market : Test the candidate’s research skills and understanding of your product offerings and target market. This demonstrates how prepared they are to sell in your specific context.

By crafting thoughtful and targeted sales interview questions, you’ll gain deeper insights into how well a candidate’s experience and skills align with the role, helping you find the best fit for your team.

Frequently Asked Questions About Sales Interview Questions

Mastering sales interview questions can feel overwhelming, but with the right preparation, you’ll be ready to tackle even the toughest ones. To help you out, here are some frequently asked questions about getting through sales interviews successfully.

How do I handle questions about my sales weaknesses?

When asked about your weaknesses, honesty is key . However, avoid sharing anything that would disqualify you from the role. Choose a weakness that you’ve actively worked on improving. 

For example, if you struggled with time management in the past, explain how you’ve developed strategies like prioritizing tasks or using organizational tools to overcome this. This shows that you’re self-aware and committed to growth.

What’s the best way to prepare for a role-play sales interview?

For a role-play scenario, practice is essential . Research the company’s products or services so you can confidently pitch them during the interview. Think about the key selling points and common objections customers might raise. 

During the role-play, focus on building rapport, asking open-ended questions to understand the customer’s needs, and addressing any concerns they have. Show your ability to think on your feet and guide the conversation toward a solution.

How do I talk about my sales achievements without sounding arrogant?

It’s important to highlight your successes without coming across as boastful. Focus on the results you achieved rather than just your personal role. 

For example, instead of saying, “I single-handedly closed the biggest deal of the year,” try, “Our team was able to close a high-value deal by collaborating closely with the client and understanding their needs. My role in this was leading the negotiations and offering tailored solutions that addressed their specific concerns.” 

This frames your achievement as part of a bigger picture while still showcasing your individual contribution.

Key Takeaways in Mastering Sales Interview Questions

In this article, we explored how to master sales interview questions, providing strategies to help you excel in the interview process. 

We covered common questions that test your sales knowledge, personal experience-based questions focusing on past achievements, and leadership questions that assess your ability to lead a team. 

Additionally, we looked at process and strategy questions to understand how you handle sales pipelines and closing deals, as well as teamwork questions that highlight collaboration and team dynamics.

The key takeaway is to prepare for a variety of questions that not only showcase your skills but also how you work with others and adapt to different sales scenarios. 

This preparation will help you give thoughtful answers and demonstrate your value effectively, whether you’re interviewing for a sales role or conducting the interview yourself.

Edgar Abong

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Last Updated on September 23, 2024 by Edgar Abong

The Sales Engineer Guy

Search this blog, how to ace your presentation interview.

8 Steps to Ace Your Sales Interview Presentation

You’ve gone through the first formal interview and nailed it. However, now you’ve just received a call from the hiring manager that they want you to complete a sales interview presentation before you receive a job offer. As if the interview wasn’t nerve-wracking enough, you’re now asked to push yourself even further to achieve your dream job.

However, it’s pretty standard for roles to require an interview presentation because it tests the skills of their potential employees, so they know they’re investing in their ideal candidate.

Plus, depending on the role you’re applying for, this skill might be absolutely essential. Especially since 70% of all jobs involve some form of public speaking. Employers want to make sure that you’re able to perform the same way you interview.

In this article, we’ll deep dive into what an interview presentation is, how you can prepare and deliver a killer presentation, and the steps to take after the presentation.

What Is a Sales Interview Presentation?

A sales interview presentation is an opportunity for you to show your skills through a live demonstration. Whether this is a sales pitch or product, employers want to see how competent and confident you are speaking in front of others while presenting the information.

The sales interview presentation is a salesperson’s chance to prove themselves and their selling skills since that’s what they’ll have to do within their job duties. 

Asking the right questions, providing the best answers, and delivering an engaging sales pitch can all lead to success in this crucial part of the sales process. So if you want to get that job offer, here are eight steps that will help you ace your next sales interview presentation out of the park!

1. Understand What’s Expected from The Presentation

When you’re told that you’ll need to present a sales interview presentation, you’ll want to take the time to ask the hiring manager for some more information. 

• What are the sales goals? 
• What type of product will you be presenting? 
• How long should your sales presentation last? 
• Will you be able to use a digital display, or is this an informal speaking presentation? 

Make sure that you understand the audience for the presentation. This way you know the expertise level and knowledge they will have about the topic you’re presenting on. From there, you’ll be able to put together a presentation that fits your potential companies needs.

2. Add Visual Aids to Your Presentation

Visual aids can genuinely make the sales interview presentation come to life! Employers want to see how well you can communicate. Using visuals will only enhance your presentation and the amount of engagement on your proposal. However, it’s essential to know your audience and what type of content will hold their attention. For example, you don’t want to show funny images to a serious crowd.

Use a PowerPoint or  Keynote  with images that complement your message, data tables highlighting numbers and statistics, or even a funny meme. Anything visual should go on slides during your sales pitch, so employers get an idea of who you are as a sales professional. The more interactive your presentation is, the better it’s going to drive home what you’re saying at any given moment in time.

3. Make A List Of Go-To Questions

Presentations usually end with questions, so make sure you’re prepared to answer any inquires on your content. If you’re not confident in your sales skills, now is the time to brush up on some sales questions that might come up.

Here are a few examples of sales-specific questions you may be asked after your presentation: 

• What’s the key benefit or feature? 
• How does this product compare with our competitors? 
• When will it be available for purchase? 
• If someone buys one today, how much more could they save by making a larger order over a more extended period?

Being prepared with extra information will show that you can handle objections and questions without a problem.

4. Dress The Part

Wearing appropriate attire is crucial if you plan on getting through this part of the sales process unscathed. Of course, business attire is the best option, but it’s always better to be overdressed than underdressed.

Dressing well will also help you feel more confident and professional, making a sales presentation even easier to deliver confidently. Plus, if you’re interviewing for a sales position, then this should come as second nature anyways!

5. Practice Your Presentation Out Loud To Yourself

Especially when it comes down to public speaking, practice really does make perfect. So practice your sales pitch out loud, either in front of a mirror or preferably someone else who can provide feedback on your delivery skills and pointers that you may have missed during preparation. If something doesn’t seem to flow, change the wording or content to make it more exciting for your audience!

Ensure all of these elements are covered when you’re practicing: introduction, product information (including features/benefits), closing questions, and a call to action. You’ll want to give it your all to show how you can become a valuable asset to your future company, and being prepared helps you to do just that!

6. Prepare Your Notes

When you’re presenting a sales interview presentation, it’s essential to have your notes in front of you as well so that the information is fresh and easy to remember. In addition, this will make for a more straightforward sales pitch because there are fewer worries about forgetting key points or getting lost during the presentation.

The easiest way to prepare your notes may include writing them at the bottom of your digital slides, keeping content on your slides as a reminder, or writing on notecards.

7. Stay On Topic

When you’re creating your presentation, you want to ensure that you’re staying on topic and that you’re keeping your presentation as brief as possible. In addition, ensure that you’ve covered all of the sales points and have reinforced your main point at the end.

It’s essential to be concise because it will help keep your audience’s attention. They won’t get bored by a lengthy sales pitch or presentation, but if too much information is given, there may not be enough time for them to soak in what you’re saying, leading to frustration on both ends.

Consider the 80/20 Rule

You’ll want to ensure that 80% of your slides are informative and insightful, while 20% of your slides are challenging and thought-provoking. This will ensure that your sales pitch is appealing to most people who are listening while still challenging them to think about what you’re saying.

It’s important not to give away too much information or oversell anything. You want employers asking for more instead of falling asleep or tuning out your presentation. 

Delivering Your Presentation 

On the day of, you’ll want to make sure to arrive early to the sales presentation. This will give you time to check in, set up your PowerPoint or Keynote, and use the restroom if necessary before it’s time for your sales interview.

The  first few minutes of a sales pitch are crucial – they’ll help set the tone for everything that follows, so make sure you’re prepared mentally and emotionally as well as physically before walking into your presentation.

Make eye contact, speak clearly, and don’t be afraid to use your sales skills- they’re what got you this far! Some other tips you should remember during the day of your presentation:

• Stand up straight and tall with your arms at your sides, not crossed
• Keep a firm handshake
• Smile often! This will put the interviewer in a good mood.
• Don’t forget to ask questions to keep your audience engaged with your content.

If It Doesn’t Go Well: Don’t Panic! 

No matter what happens during sales presentations, don’t panic. If something unexpected happens or mess up, don’t worry- sales are full of surprises! Instead, take a deep breath, restart where you left off, and continue with your presentation.

Making a mistake doesn’t mean that you won’t get the job. Instead, it’s more important how you move forward from messing up. Don’t be afraid to apologize if you need to. You can even ask for feedback on how you can do a better sales presentation in the future from your interviewer.

What To Do After the Presentation 

After the sales interview presentation, it’s essential to follow up. Follow-up may include thanking them for their time and asking if they have any additional questions before you leave. They may even schedule a second sales demo with someone else in the company who makes the final hiring decision.

This is also an opportunity to ask about the next steps so that you know how long this process will take at the other end (and whether there are any potential issues). Following up can show initiative on your part as well, which might make all of the difference when it comes down to getting hired!

Get Your Dream Job by Shining During Your Presentation

If it’s not already evident by now- public speaking is no easy task. Especially when it’s to impress your future boss and co-workers. But, thankfully, there are plenty of ways that sales professionals and sales managers alike can make their sales pitch more effective. 

A few key points include:

• Practicing out loud.
• Preparing notes beforehand.
• Staying focused and concise during presentations (though not too much).
• Being professional during all phases of the job interview process and following up after any sales presentation opportunity.

Get Your Dream Job Today with Sales Recruiters Dallas Inc

If you’ve been searching for the right sales job for a while, you might not know where to find the perfect match. From searching for the right companies to creating resumes and answering the right interview questions, it can be hard to ensure you get your dream job. Thankfully at  Sales Recruiters Dallas , we’ve got you covered!

A sales recruiter can be your best sales ally for landing your next dream job. We dedicate ourselves to sales, so we know what sales jobs are available and the process involved in securing that sales position. With our deep industry knowledge of sales, we can help you with your resume or cover letter.

If you’re looking for your next career move, contact us today at Sales Recruiters Dallas , or  browse through open jobs  to find the position of your dreams!

7 Amazing Sales Presentation Examples (And How to Make Them Your Own)

7 Types of Slides to Include In Your Sales Presentation

Inside the mind of your prospect: change is hard, before-after-bridge: the only formula you need to create a persuasive sales presentation, facebook — how smiles and simplicity make you more memorable, contently — how to build a strong bridge, brick by brick, yesware — how to go above and beyond with your benefits, uber — how to cater your content for readers quick to scan, dealtap — how to use leading questions to your advantage, zuora — how to win over your prospects by feeding them dots, linkedin sales navigator — how to create excitement with color, how to make a sales pitch in 4 straightforward steps, 7 embarrassing pitfalls to avoid in your presentation, over to you.

A brilliant sales presentation has a number of things going for it.

Being product-centered isn’t one of them. Or simply focusing on your sales pitch won’t do the trick.

So what can you do to make your offer compelling?

From different types of slides to persuasive techniques and visuals, we’ve got you covered.

Below, we look at data-backed strategies, examples, and easy steps to build your own sales presentations in minutes.

• Title slide: Company name, topic, tagline
• The “Before” picture: No more than three slides with relevant statistics and graphics.
• The “After” picture: How life looks with your product. Use happy faces.
• Company introduction: Who you are and what you do (as it applies to them).
• The “Bridge” slide: Short outcome statements with icons in circles.
• Social proof slides: Customer logos with the mission statement on one slide. Pull quote on another.
• “We’re here for you” slide: Include a call-to-action and contact information.

Many sales presentations fall flat because they ignore this universal psychological bias: People overvalue the benefits of what they have over what they’re missing.

Harvard Business School professor John T. Gourville calls this the “ 9x Effect .” Left unchecked, it can be disastrous for your business.

According to Gourville, “It’s not enough for a new product simply to be better. Unless the gains far outweigh the losses, customers will not adopt it.”

The good news: You can influence how prospects perceive these gains and losses. One of the best ways to prove value is to contrast life before and after your product.

Luckily, there’s a three-step formula for that.

• Before → Here’s your world…
• After → Imagine what it would be like if…
• Bridge → Here’s how to get there.

Start with a vivid description of the pain, present an enviable world where that problem doesn’t exist, then explain how to get there using your tool.

It’s super simple, and it works for cold emails , drip campaigns , and sales discovery decks. Basically anywhere you need to get people excited about what you have to say.

In fact, a lot of companies are already using this formula to great success. The methods used in the sales presentation examples below will help you do the same.

We’re all drawn to happiness. A study at Harvard tells us that emotion is contagious .

You’ll notice that the “Before” (pre-Digital Age) pictures in Facebook’s slides all display neutral faces. But the cover slide that introduces Facebook and the “After” slides have smiling faces on them.

This is important. The placement of those graphics is an intentional persuasion technique.

Studies by psychologists show that we register smiles faster than any other expression. All it takes is 500 milliseconds (1/20th of a second). And when participants in a study were asked to recall expressions, they consistently remembered happy faces over neutral ones.

What to do about it : Add a happy stock photo to your intro and “After” slides, and keep people in “Before” slides to neutral expressions.

Here are some further techniques used during the sales presentation:

Tactic #1: Use Simple Graphics

Use simple graphics to convey meaning without text.

Example: Slide 2 is a picture of a consumer’s hand holding an iPhone — something we can all relate to.

Why It Works: Pictures are more effective than words — it’s called  Picture Superiority . In presentations, pictures help you create connections with your audience. Instead of spoon-feeding them everything word for word, you let them interpret. This builds trust.

Tactic #2: Use Icons

Use icons to show statistics you’re comparing instead of listing them out.

Example: Slide 18 uses people icons to emphasize how small 38 out of 100 people is compared to 89 out of 100.

Why It Works:  We process visuals 60,000 times faster than text.

Tactic #3: Include Statistics

Include statistics that tie real success to the benefits you mention.

Example: “71% lift driving visits to retailer title pages” (Slide 26).

Why It Works:  Precise details prove that you are telling the truth.

Just like how you can’t drive from Marin County to San Francisco without the Golden Gate, you can’t connect a “Before” to an “After” without a bridge.

Add the mission statement of your company — something Contently does from Slide 1 of their deck. Having a logo-filled Customers slide isn’t unusual for sales presentations, but Contently goes one step further by showing you exactly what they do for these companies.

They then drive home the Before-After-Bridge Formula further with case studies:

Before : Customer’s needs when they came on

After: What your company accomplished for them

Bridge : How they got there (specific actions and outcomes)

Here are some other tactics we pulled from the sales presentation:

Tactic #1: Use Graphics/Diagrams

Use graphics, Venn diagrams, and/or equations to drive home your “Before” picture.

Why It Works:  According to a Cornell study , graphs and equations have persuasive power. They “signal a scientific basis for claims, which grants them greater credibility.”

Tactic #2: Keep Slides That Have Bullets to a Minimum

Keep slides that have bullets to a minimum. No more than one in every five slides.

Why It Works:  According to an experiment by the International Journal of Business Communication , “Subjects exposed to a graphic representation paid significantly more attention to , agreed more with, and better recalled the strategy than did subjects who saw a (textually identical) bulleted list.”

Tactic #3: Use Visual Examples

Follow up your descriptions with visual examples.

Example: After stating “15000+ vetted, ready to work journalists searchable by location, topical experience, and social media influence” on Slide 8, Contently shows what this looks like firsthand on slides 9 and 10.

Why It Works:  The same reason why prospects clamor for demos and car buyers ask for test drives. You’re never truly convinced until you see something for yourself.

Which is more effective for you?

This statement — “On average, Yesware customers save ten hours per week” — or this image:

The graphic shows you what that 10 hours looks like for prospects vs. customers. It also calls out a pain that the product removes: data entry.

Visuals are more effective every time. They fuel retention of a presentation from 10% to 65% .

But it’s not as easy as just including a graphic. You need to keep the design clean.

Can you feel it?

Clutter provokes anxiety and stress because it bombards our minds with excessive visual stimuli, causing our senses to work overtime on stimuli that aren’t important.

Here’s a tip from Yesware’s Graphic Designer, Ginelle DeAntonis:

“Customer logos won’t all necessarily have the same dimensions, but keep them the same size visually so that they all have the same importance. You should also disperse colors throughout, so that you don’t for example end up with a bunch of blue logos next to each other. Organize them in a way that’s easy for the eye, because in the end it’s a lot of information at once.”

Here are more tactics to inspire sales presentation ideas:

Tactic #1: Personalize Your Final Slide

Personalize your final slide with your contact information and a headline that drives emotion.

Example: Our Mid-Market Team Lead Kyle includes his phone number and email address with “We’re Here For You”

Why It Works: These small details show your audience that:

• This is about giving them the end picture, not making a sale
• The end of the presentation doesn’t mean the end of the conversation
• Questions are welcomed

Tactic #2: Pair Outcome Statements With Icons in Circles

Example: Slide 4 does this with seven different “After” outcomes.

Why It Works:  We already know why pictures work, but circles have power , too. They imply completeness, infiniteness, and harmony.

Tactic #3: Include Specific Success Metrics

Don’t just list who you work with; include specific success metrics that hit home what you’ve done for them.

Example: 35% New Business Growth for Boomtrain; 30% Higher Reply Rates for Dyn.

Why It Works:  Social proof drives action. It’s why we wait in lines at restaurants and put ourselves on waitlists for sold-out items.

People can only focus for eight seconds at a time. (Sadly, goldfish have one second on us.)

This means you need to cut to the chase fast.

Uber’s headlines in Slides 2-9 tailor the “After” picture to specific pain points. As a result, there’s no need to explicitly state a “Before.”

Slides 11-13 then continue touching on “Before” problems tangentially with customer quotes:

So instead of self-touting benefits, the brand steps aside to let consumers hear from their peers — something that sways 92% of consumers .

Leading questions may be banned from the courtroom, but they aren’t in the boardroom.

DealTap’s slides ask viewers to choose between two scenarios over and over. Each has an obvious winner:

Ever heard of the Focusing Effect?

It’s part of what makes us tick as humans and what makes this design move effective. We focus on one thing and then ignore the rest. Here, DealTap puts the magnifying glass on paperwork vs. automated transactions.

Easy choice.

Sure, DealTap’s platform might have complexities that rival paperwork, but we don’t think about that. We’re looking at the pile of work one the left and the simpler, single interface on the right.

Here are some other tactics to use in your own sales presentation:

Tactic #1: Tell a Story

Tell a story that flows from one slide to the next.

Example: Here’s the story DealTap tells from slides 4 to 8: “Transactions are complicated” → “Expectations on all sides” → “Too many disconnected tools” → “Slow and error prone process” → “However, there’s an opportunity.

Why It Works:   Storytelling in sales with a clear beginning and end (or in this case, a “Before” and “After”) trigger a trust hormone called Oxytocin.

Tactic #2: This vs. That

If it’s hard to separate out one “Before” and “After” vision with your product or service because you offer many dissimilar benefits, consider a “This vs. That” theme for each.

Why It Works:  It breaks up your points into simple decisions and sets you up to win emotional reactions from your audience with stock photos.

Remember how satisfying it was to play connect the dots? Forming a bigger picture out of disconnected circles.

That’s what you need to make your audience do.

Zuora tells a story by:

• Laying out the reality (the “Before” part of the Before-After-Bridge formula).
• Asking you a question that you want to answer (the “After”)
• Giving you hints to help you connect the dots
• Showing you the common thread (the “Bridge”)

You can achieve this by founding your sales presentation on your audience’s intuitions. Set them up with the closely-set “dots,” then let them make the connection.

Here are more tactical sales presentation ideas to steal for your own use:

Tactic #1: Use Logos and Testimonials

Use logos and  testimonial pull-quotes for your highest-profile customers to strengthen your sales presentation.

Example: Slides 21 to 23 include customer quotes from Schneider Electric, Financial Times, and Box.

Why It Works: It’s called  social proof . Prospects value other people’s opinions and trust reputable sources more than you.

Tactic #2: Include White Space

Pad your images with white space.

Example: Slide 17 includes two simple graphics on a white background to drive home an important concept.

Why It Works:  White space creates separation, balance, and attracts the audience’s eyes to the main focus: your image.

Tactic #3: Incorporate Hard Data

Incorporate hard data with a memorable background to make your data stand out.

Example: Slide 5 includes statistics with a backdrop that stands out. The number and exciting title (‘A Global Phenomenon’) are the main focuses of the slide.

Why It Works:  Vivid backdrops are proven to be memorable and help your audience take away important numbers or data.

Psychology tells us that seeing colors can set our mood .

The color red is proven to increase the pulse and heart rate. Beyond that, it’s associated with being active, aggressive, and outspoken. LinkedIn Sales Navigator uses red on slides to draw attention to main points:

You can use hues in your own slides to guide your audience’s emotions. Green gives peace; grey adds a sense of calm; blue breeds trust. See more here .

Tip: You can grab free photos from Creative Commons and then set them to black & white and add a colored filter on top using a (also free) tool like Canva . Here’s the sizing for your image:

Caveat: Check with your marketing team first to see if you have a specific color palette or brand guidelines to follow.

Here are some other takeaways from LinkedIn’s sales presentation:

Tactic #1: Include a CTA on Final Slide

Include one clear call-to-action on your final slide.

Example: Slide 9 has a “Learn More” CTA button.

Why It Works:  According to the Paradox of Choice , the more options you give, the less likely they are to act.

Step One : Ask marketing for your company’s style guide (color, logo, and font style).

Step Two: Answer these questions to outline the “Before → After → Bridge” formula for your sales pitch :

• What are your ICP’s pain points?
• What end picture resonates with them?
• How does your company come into play?

Step Three: Ask account management/marketing which customers you can mention in your slides (plus where to access any case studies for pull quotes).

Step Four:  Download photos from Creative Commons . Remember: Graphics > Text. Use Canva to edit on your own — free and fast.

What are the sales presentation strategies that work best for your industry and customers? Tweet us:  @Yesware .

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10+ Sales PowerPoint Presentation Examples To Get Inspired!

One of the biggest challenges B2B sales and marketing teams face is creating sales presentations that impress potential customers and lead to conversions.

So, what does an excellent sales presentation look like? Today, we'll explore some of the best examples to help you craft your own outstanding presentation. And that’s not all, we’ve interviewed our head of sales, Robert Juul Glaesel , to provide you with the BEST insights to unlock success. So…let's dive in!

We’ll be covering the following topics

What is a sales presentation?

Sales presentation vs. sales deck vs. pitch deck.

• Sales Presentation PPT Examples - and why they were successful

Sales Powerpoint Presentation Templates

Sales presentation video examples, get ready to create the best sales presentation: tips from our sales expert, unlock success: expert support for your sales presentation design.

Let’s start from the top! - Or, as always, you can skip to your preferred section.

A sales presentation is a crucial part of the sales process. It refers to a meeting where a sales team showcases their product or service , persuading potential customers to purchase.

This meeting typically takes place after initial contact with the prospects , either through marketing efforts, cold calls, or expressions of interest from potential customers themselves.

In this meeting, the sales team usually provides a comprehensive overview of the product or service. They address key points such as:

• What is the product or service?
• How is it used?
• What distinctive features does it have?
• What problem does it solve?
• Why is this their best option?

→ Free Download: 10+ Sales PowerPoint presentation template [Access Now]

The sales presentation and sales deck are pretty similar. On one hand, a sales presentation is designed to persuade potential customers about the value of your product or service. It typically includes detailed information about your product, its features, benefits, pricing, case studies, testimonials, and more.

On the other hand, a sales deck is essentially a condensed version of a sales presentation . It is usually concise and only includes key highlights.

In contrast, a pitch deck is a presentation created for investors to secure funding. It generally contains information about the company's vision, the problem it aims to solve, market opportunities, business model, and financial projections.

Sales Presentation PPT Examples: and why they were successful

Below are several sales presentation examples you can use as inspiration to create your own. Let’s look at each of them and see exactly why they were successful.

Spendesk is a powerful spend management platform designed to help users save time and money by offering a clear view of their company expenses. Their sales presentation is the definition of a successful sales presentation: it is incredibly clear and straightforward . It clearly defines the problem it solves and introduces you to the solution, highlighting how it stands out from the competition.

As you’ll see, this presentation is not overloaded with text - it's simple and easily shows you how the product works. And most importantly, it’s branded! Which is key for brand positioning and visual consistency .

To check it out, click here .

Reddit Advertisement Sales Presentation

Reddit's sales presentation is definitely one of a kind. By incorporating memes and other pop-culture images throughout their deck, they engage the audience and stay true to their brand identity . This approach not only resonates with the Reddit community but also sets them apart from mundane sales pitches.

The presentation not only provides valuable data and showcases the effectiveness of its product but also does so effortlessly, proving that a presentation does not have to be overly serious to be effective.

Click here to explore Reddit's engaging sales presentation.

Zuora, a SaaS platform for subscription billing, takes a compelling approach in its sales presentation. It starts by highlighting the industry's changing landscape , effectively showing the importance of adapting to these changes.

But Zuora doesn't stop there. Throughout their presentation, they also showcase what their platform can do for the audience and provide social proof to back it up . This includes quotes from CEOs and other business executives who have successfully used their platform to improve their subscription billing process.

See for yourself and check out one of the best sales deck examples here .

Drift, a web-based live-chat tool for sales and marketing, takes a unique approach to its sales presentation. They begin by highlighting a common problem that many businesses face : how traditional communication methods, such as email, calls, and forms, are insufficient.

The presentation then goes on to showcase how Drift can provide a solution to this problem. They demonstrate how their live chat tool offers a more personalized approach to communication that can lead to impactful results.

Check out Drift's impressive sales presentation here .

Salesforce, an integrated Customer Relationship Management (CRM) platform, provides a valuable lesson about creating sales presentations that convert . They start by explaining how the industry has undeniable changes and how we need to adapt to keep our businesses successful.

But they don't stop there. They continue showing us what things can look like, in other words, "the promised land," and how their product can change everything about how companies do things. And obviously, they finish with the greatest success stories from CEOs and clothes executives.

Click here to get inspired by the Salesforce presentation.

→ Free Download: 10+ Sales PowerPoint presentation PDF [FREE]

Snapchat Advertising

Snapchat Advertising's sales presentation stands out not only for its visually appealing design but also for its unique features. The presentation begins by emphasizing the vast reach of its platform and key age demographics, providing valuable insights for those looking to make the most of their marketing campaign .

In addition, Snapchat Advertising effectively compares itself to the competition, showcasing its unique features and advantages. And, of course, the presentation is visually branded with the company's iconic ghost character , making it instantly recognizable.

Check out their captivating sales presentation here .

Klima’s sales presentation is a special one. This climate change app’s presentation makes sure we know they are a company that focuses on “what truly matters.” It presents itself as a business with real, global impact.

And that’s not all. One standout feature of Klima's sales presentation is its visually appealing design. The slides effectively showcase the app's interface and demonstrate its key features. This visual representation really helps prospects consider getting an employee benefit with purpose .

Click here to get inspired by one of the greatest b2b sales deck examples.

Are you ready to create the best Sales PowerPoint presentation? We’ve got great news for you! Discover our sales presentation templates that you can download for exactly $0 .

Any of these templates could be a GREAT starting point for your next sales presentation . And what’s best…they are completely free for you to download at our Templates platform ! You’ll find not only these ones but also hundreds of other PowerPoint templates, for ANY industry, completely at your disposal.

Sales presentations can take various forms, including videos. Video presentations can effectively engage and captivate the audience by combining visual content, audio narration, and sometimes animations or graphics. Here are a few examples of sales presentations that are delivered in video format:

Medallia's video presentation showcases the effectiveness of using video to clearly represent their platform. The video highlights the platform's features, demonstrating how it can be a powerful tool for businesses.

By utilizing video, Medallia effectively shows viewers what the platform looks like and what they can expect to access and analyze in terms of data. The detailed exploration of each feature gives potential clients a comprehensive understanding of the platform's capabilities and how it can benefit their business.

Click here to check it out.

Moodcaster, a digital casting platform, starts with the main problem: how time-consuming castings can be and how tedious auditions are . It then shows you how they can be a great solution and how the platform works.

This video presentation truly shows what the client can expect when using the platform , by showing the process step-by-step. And if they are not convinced yet, it ends up listing all the fantastic features it has one by one, leaving the best impression.

Click here to view Moodcaster’s incredible video sales presentation.

Viable, the pioneering experience analysis platform, doesn't just identify the problem you're facing; it swiftly transitions to showcasing how they can provide the solution . They offer a real-time demonstration of how their platform works, providing concrete insights into how it can improve your business.

Finally, they conclude by highlighting all the advantages, features, and versatile applications that can benefit your specific needs.

Click here to take a look at Viable’s video sales presentation.

We know that creating the best sales presentation is key for your business. So, in order to provide valuable insights, we consulted Robert Juul Glaesel , head of sales at 24 Slides, who understands the importance of a good presentation for your business.

Let’s take a look at some insights from our head of sales:

Insight #1: Take elements out instead of adding elements in

Remember that quality is always more important than quantity . So, keep in mind not to overload your presentation with excessive text, because your audience’s attention will go directly there, instead of your speech. In Robert’s words:

“If you incorporate too many elements, it results in clutter, obscuring the main message and making it more challenging for the presenter to effectively convey their message.”

Insight #2: Don’t rely on your slides

We know this might sound counterintuitive, given that all this article is about creating your presentation, but remember that the presentation and the story are yours . As Robert says:

“Make sure that your presentation supports your story, it shouldn't tell your story. You, as the presenter, are the storyteller. Therefore, presentations should emphasize key points.”

Bonus insight #3: Brand your sales presentation !

This is one of your most crucial presentations; it should reflect who you are . There should be consistency between what they see on your website, social media, etc., and what they will see in this presentation. So, it is extremely important that you show that you care about your image and pay close attention to detail.

Creating a sales presentation is an incredibly important task, so it's best to leave it to the experts. Here at 24Slides , we can assist you in creating an amazing sales presentation that perfectly aligns with your brand. All you need to do is share the content you want to include and your brand guidelines. In less than 48 hours, you'll have your presentation ready for sales!

Want to learn more? Check out these articles!

• The Best Sales Presentation Services for Winning Sales Decks
• How to Create the Perfect B2B Sales Presentation
• Learn How to Start an Effective Sales Presentation
• Top 20 Free Templates for Corporate and Business Presentations
• +20 Self Introduction PowerPoint Templates: Download for free!

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How to Give an Interview Presentation That'll Convince the Entire Room You're the One

As your career advances , you’ll find that closing that final interview with a bang and subsequently getting an offer takes more than strong answers, recognition of a good fit, and great chemistry with the hiring team.

In fact, for many higher-level jobs, you can probably expect to present some of your intellectual property. This is an opportunity for your future leadership team to see what they’ll really be getting if they hire you.

One smart way to differentiate yourself as a candidate is by developing a solid 90-day plan if you’re asked to present something in your final interview. This is an opportunity for you to articulate how you’ll show up to solve the problems the employer is hiring you to manage.

A 90-day plan shows the employer three key things: your understanding of the mission for which you’re being hired, evidence that you have the goods to make your manager look like a rock star for hiring you, and your ability to plan and execute quickly to make an impact for best results.

As you move up and your title changes, your time to deliver results is intensely scrutinized, and at a more accelerated rate. The truth is, you’ll have approximately 90 days to prove you’re an asset to the company. With that said, here’s what employers are looking for:

1. Clear Priorities

After an in-depth interview or two, you should have a very clear idea of the specific things you’ll be expected to deliver and how hot each issue is. You want to learn the pain points that are keeping the employer up at night.

Based on the interviews you’ve had, the research you’ve done, and the questions you’ve asked, you should be able to smoothly articulate the most important issues and priorities that you’ll address in the first 90 days.

2. SMART Actions

As you build your presentation out, you’ll want to include specific tasks you plan to accomplish and in what timeframe along with what people or resources you expect to need in order to make those things happen. Use the SMART acronym: Set goals that are specific, measureable, attainable, realistic, and time-bound. No time like the 90-day plan for that. And all of your actions should tie back to the priorities you’ve identified in the first step.

3. Well-Defined Success Measures

One benefit of creating this timeline is that it gives you the opportunity to set the definition of success as early as possible. You and your manager must align on that, or there’ll be tension. After all, you don’t want a to build a plan that delivers success in the form of improving time to market the latest app, when your future boss thinks success is doubling the revenue in six months. Make sure you have a very clear understanding of the company's wants and needs and have your goals reflect that knowledge.

4. Quantifiable Impact Measures

List specifically how you want to measure the success of your actions. And make sure you’re aligned with your boss and the organization on what that looks like.

You can also include a test for the “so what” factor in your presentation. The real measure of your work is the impact it has on the organization. As a result of the actions you’re outlining, do you anticipate sales increasing by X%? Expenses being reduced by Y%? Resolving a hiccup in the manufacturing process that saves $X per quarter?

An action without impact is a task. As you identify your specific action strategies, and how you’ll measure success, make sure you also tie it to the impact that action will have on the organization. Ask yourself, “How will the organization be better when I deliver on these outcomes?” and then show that!

5. Scorecard

An essential part of any 90-day plan is building a report out. As you put your thoughts to paper, be sure to include the summary of actions, progress, and updates your manager will see each week. Design your report out in an easy to follow summary you can update each week. Think of it as a mini billboard of your accomplishments.

When you do, you’ll be building a visual story of your pathway to success, enabling your future manager to easily share your success with higher ups, and report on what an awesome hire she’s made. And what boss doesn’t want to get high fived for that?

You don’t have to be in a VP or C-level interview to use this great technique for differentiating yourself from the competition. I encourage clients in even the early stages of their careers to think about how they would approach a new position, what their plan would be. If you can find an opportunity to show the hiring manager how you organize your thoughts, and how you’d develop a strategy for approaching the new position, you’ll give yourself an edge over the other candidates.

Whatever level job you’re applying for, it’s smart to think about how you’d make an impact in the first 90 days. Be aggressive but realistic about how you’d get quick wins, and address pain points you’re aware the employer needs your help with. This approach goes above and beyond the standard interview Q&A.

Photo of interview presentation courtesy of Jetta productions/Getty Images.

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Categories:

• Storytelling

How to Nail Your Next Job Interview Presentation

What would you do if your next job required you to give a Job interview presentation?

Do you know how to prepare?

Do you know what to say?

Do you know what to talk about?

You have to start thinking and preparing for it before it happens. Because the higher your position in an organization, the more likely you will be asked to present during your interview.

Working with hundreds of professionals over the years ( Professionals from Rosetta Stone, Genentech, SalesForce.com, Coiler, City of San Francisco, Chronicle Books, etc.) to help them prepare for their job interview presentations, I came up with a list of 5 tips to help you do well and get the job.

1 – Focus

Don’t talk about everything; Talk about one thing (maybe two). It’s important to stay “on message” so that your audience does not get confused.

It’s very tempting to talk about everything you know because you want to show your skills and knowledge. I once worked with a senior scientist who interviewed for a job and in the first draft of her presentation; she had included a list of all the techniques she knew instead of keeping the relevant ones. That’s normal; I see it all the time with clients. However, once you finish the first draft, you want to become brutal with scraping to maintain a tight focus.

The main purpose of the presentation interview is to see how well you communicate your ideas. So pick something you can communicate well and stay on point.

The main purpose of the presentation interview is to see how well you communicate your ideas!

• Instead of talking about all your x-projects, talk about one of them.
• Instead of talking about 5 experiments, talk about one or two experiments to support one point.
• Instead of having multiple lessons, have “one” take-home message.
• Instead of having 10 ideas to flesh out, just have one.

2 – Set the context

Before you start talking about the details, make sure your audience knows the background of your topic. This is especially important if you speak on previous projects or technologies you worked on.

You are interviewing at a new company who might not know about your previous company or position. So it’s important to give them some background to set the stage.

One of my clients was interviewing with a medical device company and in her previous work experience was on a vaccine for Prostate Cancer. When speaking about her past job, if she had started talking about the complex technology she used for her previous work without giving context, most of the audience would have been lost.

Instead, she dedicated 2 minutes in her introduction to cover the background of Cancer Vaccine Technology (At a very high level). Also, during the presentation, she linked what she was talking about to medical devices.

Always give context even if you think it is evident.

Additional Example:

If you are going to talk about a software update for your previous employer, then make sure your audience knows why you were doing the update in the first place. Mention and explain the problem you were trying to solve and tell them why that was important.

Setting the context in the “introduction” of your talk is crucial. It is so important that we spend a big portion in the Magnetic Presentations Boot Camp showing participants how to do it the right way – this part could make or break your presentation.

3- Ideas for interview presentation topics:

Unless you are doing a sales presentation for a company like Salesforce.com (Which gives you a case study to use for your presentation), you are usually free to pick your topic.

Here are some ideas to help you select a topic:

• A previous project you worked on
• New technology in your field
• Technology that could be helpful in your field
• Industry trends (no more than 3)
• Explore a published paper (yours or someone else’s)
• New or old process you have worked on or helped improve
• New or old product you have worked on
• Portfolio of your work
• State of the economy/ industry/ technology etc
• Sales presentation example

The list above should give you some ideas of what you need to talk about.

4- Think outside the box for presentation topics

Most professionals will do a presentation on a project they have done with their previous employer. That’s OK.

However, if you want to stand out, it’s a good idea to think outside the box. A client of mine once did a presentation on “Three Industry Trends For Social Media Marketing,” as she interviewed for a senior marketing position.

That was outside the box (because her competition talked about a previous company project) My client ended up getting the job – She stood out as a competent leader of industry trends (She did a lot of research for the presentation and weaved in her personal experience as well).

5- Toot your own horn

No one likes a show-off, yet, you have to do it a little in a job interview presentation. You have to share what you did, and how you contributed. In most circumstances, that’s shied away from but in a job interview , it is required and expected.

A recent study conducted at the University of Nebraska – Lincoln demonstrated that people who “self-promote” at the job interview presentation were rated as more superior, more capable, and more hireable than those who did not self-promote.

Regardless of what you are presenting on, you are introducing yourself, so you need to toot your own horn throughout the presentation.

Regardless of what you are presenting on, you are introducing yourself

Ok now here are some things to avoid.

Things to avoid in an interview presentation

• Avoid critiquing the company you are interviewing for (unless they specifically request it).
• Avoid bad-mouthing previous employers.
• Avoid making recommendations for the company regarding their processes unless you are sure this is what they want.
• Avoid ending your presentation on a bad note.
• Avoid making the whole presenting about you. Tooting your horn is a good few times during the presentation but not all the way through.
• Avoid looking too prepared or not prepared: you should come across natural and authentic.
• Avoid overwhelming your audience with data dumps .
• Avoid rambling

These were just four tips. There are more of course, but using them will help you stand out from almost everyone who interviews for the same position.

I see that a lot of companies start to require presentation as part of the interview process, and the trend will keep rising – are you ready for it?

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In this section

Second Interview Presentations

It is the norm to be asked to prepare a presentation at the second stage for a sales vacancy. Often a topic is already requested but more often than not the topic is ‘Why are you right for the job?’

I would go so far as to say that a good discipline is to prepare a second interview presentation along these lines, even if you haven’t been asked to prepare one. The effort in putting together a presentation that matches your quality, skills and experience against the job requirements will give you the edge on the day and will really make you think that you are making the right decision in joining this organisation.

It shouldn’t take any more than two hours to put together and will be there to turn to if the meeting really isn’t going in the direction that you had planned.

If you've gotten ahead of yourself and perhaps need advice on first interviews, you can have a look at all our advice on 'how to WOW at a first interview' .

GOLDEN RULE: However, an absolute DON’T is to use your presentation as a ‘safety blanket’ when you haven’t been asked to prepare one, i.e. Interviewer: ‘How do you expect to penetrate into the following markets....?’ You (tucking into your briefcase) ‘well I have a presentation here, that.....’ ONLY use the presentation during the meeting as a last resort.

What the presentation should be short (no more than ten minutes if you have to deliver it) and no more than ten sheets or slides). It should contain:

Why you want to work for the company – key facts, direction, etc.

Why you want this particular job – the opportunity, etc.

What benefits you can bring to the company – experience, strengths, values, etc.

Your training and development requirements to succeed

Why you are the right person for the role

You may also want to include how you would plan, your approach, how you would structure your working day/week/month/quarter.

How you would impose key performance indicators upon yourself to attain and exceed targets.

GOLDEN RULE 2: The employer knows their business better than you. Keep it general, don’t quote specific accounts that you could bring to the company, the account values, etc.

GOLDEN RULE 3: Always take at least three printed copies of your presentation to the meeting and hand them out at the end. The adage of remembering just 25% of what you’ve heard after 24 hours is true and most hiring decisions are made after a period of deliberation that is typically 24-48 hours. Your presentation document just might have the memory trigging tags to make the decision swing your way!

Obscure second interview questions

You may be asked to prepare a presentation with a title such as ‘The features and benefits of a ping pong ball’ or ‘Nature or Nurture, what is more important?’ or ‘You work for a paperclip manufacturer and you have to sell the features and benefits of a paperclip’ (all of the three detailed here are factual cases!)

Why do employers do this? It may appear churlish but it’s a demonstration of lateral thinking, willingness to go the extra mile, creative thinking, negotiation, commercial flair and above all salesmanship. It's also a test of commitment to the job - how much effort will you put in to 'land the deal', are you prepared to ‘jump through the hoops’! 

If you fancy a list of common interview questions, we've assembled a list of the most common interview questions here .

Obscure Presentation Example: The Paperclip Presentation

As an example I’m going to use ‘You work for a paperclip manufacturer and you have to sell the features and benefits of a paperclip’ (which incidentally, is the standard second interview presentation for a major household FMCG brand).

Many treat the presentation as a game and present it as a game and make it fun and light hearted - they invariably don't get offered the job. Others put together a jazzy presentation on paper clips, their variety of uses and pitch accordingly. Where they fail is that unless you understand the need you can't sell anything – the adage of ‘diagnosing the illness before prescribing the medicine!’

A perfect way of executing this exercise is as follows and please tune it accordingly to the ‘obscure presentation’ that you may have been asked to prepare!

First off. Enter the meeting. 'Thank you very much for inviting me here today to discuss your urgent paperclip requirements. I understand from our discussions last week that today you are looking to agree a preferred supplier of paperclips and I understand that Ben, you are the Group Purchasing Director and Fred you are the, Group Finance Director. I also understand that you are looking to make a decision on a supplier today – is that correct?’ (by doing this they cannot use the objection of - we're not the right person, we're not in a position to make a decision today, etc'.)

Start the presentation with an overview of ‘Paperclips 'R' Us’ (or whatever) - history, services - holding stock, 3 day delivery, ability to supply volume, quality of product, ability to bespoke to need, etc.

It's imperative that YOU ask THEM early on 'what is your budget' - then you might find that you can easily sell to them on price.

Collect a handful of different types of paper clips (shapes, styles, colours), etc.

Ask them to touch the product (you can’t beat a kinaesthetic sale!)

Paint a couple, put tippex on a couple, wrap some coloured tape around some – whatever – I know it sounds somewhat strange but going this extra mile will make the difference!

Then probe to understand their needs - prepare 15 or so questions around the type of paperclip that they require, the volume, added value services, etc.

Prepare a slide per type of paperclip so that you can go into the detail of their preferred clip and skip past the ones that aren't right for their need and explain why

If asked price answer something like - 'I know that price is important to both of us but can we park this just for a moment until I fully understand your needs. I am confident that I will be able to propose a price that is both attractive and works for both of us'

Then pitch the product - the features, examples, benefits of the paperclip that is the solution to their need (have a brainstorm with yourself about exactly what benefits there could be – the amount of paper it can hold, flexibility, uniqueness of the colour, etc. think of every imaginable feature and benefit!)

Then ‘semi close’ - Do you agree that this is the right paperclip for you? Are there any further features that they would like you me to detail? What do we have to do to make the deal today?

Prepare bartering chips other than price - stock holding, delivery time, volumes, payment terms, etc - if you negotiate down on price ensure you give nothing away and always get something in return. Remember, negotiation is where both parties leave happy and it’s a win-win - not where one is battered on price, that’s called discounting!

If you are getting nothing but positives then close it down

Get agreement to product, volume, additional required services, total cost, etc.

Go one step further and pre-prepare an order form - get it out of your briefcase and get them to sign it on the spot!

If they don't agree to this as a minimum get agreement to the next meeting and an agenda for what you will propose - i.e. you'll go back to your R&D department to bespoke accordingly, you'll look at cheaper raw materials to get the price down, etc.

Pre-prepare a price list so that when you get their signature on the dotted line you can detail how well you negotiated to secure the deal!

Remember never give anything away for nothing - everything is tradable and barter accordingly to secure a price and service that is right for both parties!

Go the ‘extra mile and a half’ by creating a logo for the paperclip business, an order form, business card, price list - it'll only take an hour or two but could really make the difference between you and the other interviewees.

Thank them for their time (and their business); close the meeting and job done!

As you can see we have now taken a somewhat trite and childish presentation title into a 'full on' business pitch. This approach will demonstrate how you will succeed in their organisation by questioning, understanding needs, pitching product, negotiating, closing, etc.

Good luck with putting together your second interview questions and we hope that you found this useful!

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Date published: 28th February 2024

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With over 25 years in B2B sales and recruitment, Simon is an English Graduate from UEA and specialises in recruiting commercial and FMCG sales positions. Simon joined the sales recruitment industry in 1998 before progressing into field sales and returning to recruitment in 2015. As an Associate Director, Simon is well placed to understand the needs of clients and candidates' needs, having spent ten years selling electronic security and managing National Accounts within OEM manufacturers and distribution channels. An avid Luton Town football fan, Simon dotes on his two daughters and enjoys keeping fit, socialising, food and wine.

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The Best Interview Questions for Assessing Negotiation Skills

Negotiation skills are crucial as they impact a wide range of workplace interactions, from sales discussions to conflict resolution and strategic partnerships. Assessing a candidate's ability to negotiate effectively can provide insights into their problem-solving abilities, emotional intelligence, and overall suitability for roles that require collaboration and decision-making. This article explores the best interview questions to evaluate negotiation skills, what to look for in responses, and tips for effectively assessing these abilities during the hiring process.

Negotiation Skills Interview Questions

• How do you prepare for a negotiation to ensure a favorable result?
• Tell me about a time when you had to negotiate with someone who had a different perspective or interests.
• How do you handle conflicts that arise during negotiations?
• Describe a negotiation that did not go as planned. What did you learn from it?
• How do you balance assertiveness and empathy in a negotiation?
• Can you describe a situation where you successfully negotiated?
• What strategies do you use to understand the other party’s needs and motivations?
• Can you provide an example of how you’ve used data or research to support your negotiation position?
• How do you determine when to walk away from a negotiation?
• Describe a time when you had to negotiate under pressure. How did you manage it?

What to Look for in Answers

• Clear Examples : Candidates should provide specific instances that demonstrate their negotiation experiences, showcasing their ability to achieve desired outcomes.
• Preparation and Strategy : Look for evidence that the candidate plans and strategizes before entering negotiations, indicating foresight and organization.
• Adaptability and Problem-Solving : Responses should highlight the ability to adapt to different situations and overcome obstacles during negotiations.
• Emotional Intelligence : Candidates should display awareness of their own and others' emotions, showing empathy and effective interpersonal skills.
• Outcome-Oriented : Assess whether the candidate focuses on achieving mutually beneficial results rather than just winning.
• Learning and Growth : Look for reflections on past negotiations, especially failures, indicating a willingness to learn and improve.
• Communication Skills : Effective negotiators articulate their points clearly and listen actively to understand the other party’s perspective.
• Ethical Considerations : Ensure that the candidate maintains integrity and ethical standards during negotiations.
• Decision-Making Ability : The ability to make informed decisions, including knowing when to compromise or walk away, is crucial.
• Use of Tools and Data : Candidates who leverage data or research to support their negotiation stance demonstrate thoroughness and analytical skills.

Tips for Evaluating Negotiation Skills During the Hiring Process

Assess Communication Abilities Pay attention to how candidates articulate their thoughts and actively listen during the interview, as effective communication is key to successful negotiations.

Evaluate Problem-Solving Techniques Present hypothetical negotiation scenarios to understand the candidate’s approach to resolving conflicts and finding mutually beneficial solutions.

Observe Emotional Intelligence Notice the candidate’s ability to manage emotions, show empathy, and build rapport, which are essential for creating positive negotiation environments.

Check for Strategic Thinking Determine if the candidate can plan and execute negotiation strategies, considering both short-term gains and long-term relationships.

Test for Resilience Assess how candidates handle setbacks or difficult negotiations, as resilience is important for maintaining effectiveness under pressure.

Incorporate Role-Playing Exercises Engage candidates in role-playing scenarios to observe their negotiation techniques and adaptability in real-time.

Seek References Contact previous employers or colleagues to gain additional perspectives on the candidate’s negotiation abilities and effectiveness in professional settings.

Analyze Decision-Making Skills Evaluate how candidates approach decision-making processes in negotiations, including their ability to weigh options and make informed choices.

Consider Cultural Fit Ensure that the candidate’s negotiation style aligns with your organization’s values and culture to promote harmonious and productive interactions.

Negotiation skills are a vital asset in the workplace, influencing everything from individual performance to organizational success. By asking targeted interview questions, understanding what to look for in candidate responses, and employing strategic evaluation techniques, employers can effectively assess a candidate’s ability to negotiate. This comprehensive approach not only identifies individuals who can secure favorable outcomes but also those who contribute to a positive and collaborative work environment. Investing time in evaluating negotiation skills during the hiring process ensures that your team is equipped with professionals capable of navigating complex discussions and driving your organization forward.

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