Sales Recruiting Blog

Due Diligence

Nothing is worse than getting a new sales job and finding out that you have been misled or lied to about the opportunity.  Sometimes, everything that was directly told you was true, only they left out a few important facts.  For example, maybe 20% of the company’s sales reps earn over $250k and that is a cold fact.  What they didn’t share with you is that all 20% of them live in New York (and you are in California). 

As you are interviewing with a company use every resource available to you to verify the information that is most important to you.  Talk to 2 of their current reps and ask them pointed questions. 

I do want to caution you that to not come across as guarded or wary.  Let them know that you are looking for a home and not just a new sales job and you want to get a feel for the day-to-day challenges and rewards.  Mix in some solid, curious and positive questions with the 2 or 3 make or break ones.  When I really want to know something that is important to me I try and ask them in a “by the way” manner.  Come across like you are just curious.  When you ask someone point blank about something you are putting them on guard and letting them know how you want a question answered.