Anecdotes – The 30 (or 10) Second Commercial

It is Friday therefore it is time for another hiring anecdote. I was phone screening sales candidates for a high-tech company and I asked a candidate to give me a quick 30-second commercial of the products and services he had sold. I asked him to frame his experience in the context of how it fit the requirements of the position. At least he was quick. His 10-second response was: “Well, I have sold everything from cow manure to satellite TV.” He never did answer the second part of the question about tying in his experience to the requirements of the position. I know – if he could have effectively tied… Read More

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Anecdote – Fast Talkin’

Here’s one for the long holiday weekend. We were interviewing an internal candidate for a sales manager position and were sitting across from a pegged out High I. He spoke at a frenetic pace and at great length. To top it off, he rarely offered a cogent thought. So you can imagine there were many moments of silence as we sat there stunned at his performance. During one of those moments, out of the blue the candidate states, “I may talk fast, but it’s slow in my head.” He didn’t get the position.

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Anecdote – The Bewildering Email

Here is a recent one for your reading pleasure. Over the past couple weeks I have been sourcing for a territory sales position and had the following email exchange with an applicant. Apparently he felt unencumbered by the specific instructions provided in the online employment ad. Simple instructions – all applicants were asked to either email their resume or to call. From the applicant: is new business coming from advertising agencies also clients who use your services in the new york city marketplace important to you? (Unsigned, no number provided.) My response: I apologize, I am unclear as to your inquiry. If you are interested in learning more about the… Read More

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Anecdote – The Debut

Our sourcing, screening and interviewing activities for our customers leads us into some comical discussions. Sales candidates are entertaining, coy and often cocky. Some times their responses are downright baffling. This news is not groundbreaking to anyone who has hired salespeople in the past. We’ve added a category for “Anecdotes” that will encompass some of the funnier moments from our experiences. Hopefully these posts will add a little levity to The Hire Sense. My question: Why are you looking for a new position at this time? Candidate’s response: My driver’s license is suspended at this time which was required of my previous position. Do I need to drive for this… Read More

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