BitcoinAddict

How do you ace final round interviews with the VP Of Sales?

Hey guys, so I have had this situation happen a handful of times where I do well with recruit, direct hiring manager, and even Director calls. I even ace the role plays. At times, however, I get on the call with a VP Of Sales and I feel like I get stumped for some reason.

I been reflecting a bit and the first thing that comes to mind is the tone of the call. Like the calls with every other role seems more exciting and I feel like my enthusiasm and smoothness can take over. However, with VP Of Sales roles when I interview with them, the interview seems to have a much colder vibe to it.

So I wanted to ask, what are some things people do wrong or could improve on when interviewing with the VP Of Sales?

☁️ Software Tech

👥 Hiring

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Pachacuti

Politicker

They call me Daddy, Sales Daddy

I have found a good question for leadership is: "I'm sure you have had plenty of recruiters and other companies trying to hire you away. What keeps you here?" Its a good way to flatter them while understanding the company culture.

Regarding the vibe - the VP needs to feel that you will solve their problems - whatever those are. And they will do that with a "gut check". Very hard to prep for that.
Good luck!

Sunbunny31

Arsonist

Sr Sales Executive 🐰

Excellent advice. Great way to phrase the questions, too.

jefe

Arsonist

🍁

I fucking LOVE this.

Great question, and on-point description of the vibe

Gasty

Notable Contributor

War Room Community Manager

Perfect advice, indeed!

poweredbycaffeine

WR Lieutenant

☕️

Hi. Here to help. Take it or don’t.

Treat this call as a way to assuage fears. Ask them point blank what reservations they have about hiring you and start to constructively address them.

Another good move: Come with a list of well researched questions that will show you’re paying attention and want to be in the mix on day one and not on the back foot.

The VP can’t afford a bad performer. They also can’t afford a bad culture fit. Find a way to address your value and make them buy you by the end of the call.

Gasty

Notable Contributor

War Room Community Manager

Not talking about anything specific but one thing is for sure that you need to ask them questions, which tells them that you're not like the other candidates, ask questions like where do you see this organization in the next 5 years, what's the roadmap. Which area for business development is your focus. Apart from my KRA's, what else is expected out of whoever fills this position - Spin it like, I can work and meet the requirements, but I like to go above and beyond often, so what all areas I can look into. Something like that, which tells them, that hey, this candidate is not like the many I interviewed.

rharris415

Contributor

Founder

Ok, if the VP is cold, that's actually a good sign.
It can tell you what type of leader you may be working for. You may not like that sign, but it's a sign to pay attention to.
Here are my tips in no particular order:
1. Remember you are now interviewing them more than they are interviewing you. Remember, this person doesn't want to make a bad hire.
2. Reverse engineer this. Make them sell you on why they should hire you. After all they have given up time on their calendar. Now here's how I might do it.

"Hey, Mr/s. VP Sales,
Excited to get this far, and I appreciate your time. I am curious. Since we are at this stage, what about my background and feedback made you want to have this conversation. Before getting to you, someone could have said, 'no, not the right fit.' "
Now they are going to spew a bunch of positive things about you and reconfirm in their own mind why they should consider you. Essentially they are selling themselves.
3. Now reverse the reverse on them.

"Thanks for sharing that. I appreciate the feedback. Next question, at this point what concerns do you have about my ability to do the job?"

Let them answer,
"Ok, cool, what about the team, what feedback have you heard that might help me better answer any concerns?"
Then I move into interviewing them...
1. "Aside from me hitting my goals which is always #1, what else do you need someone in this role to do to help you accomplish your goals?"
2. "For the last person who had this job, what concerns do you have a hangover about so I can make sure you never have that hangover again?"
3. "If you could snap your fingers and 3 things changed tomorrow, what would be those three things?"
Let them answer...
"Thanks for sharing, what are the challenges internally that is preventing those things from happening?"

If they don't hire you after this, they should be straight up honest with you since you asked the questions. Or they are lying, and you didn't want to be there in the first place.
One small caveat. As times are tough for finding jobs, it's ok to take a job if you aren't answering these questions. Everyone needs to do what they can to take care of themselves and/or their family. Food, shelter, insurance, etc.

There is no harm in not asking these questions if you really need a job.
We've all been there, we all get it.
Richard

LaidoffCSLeader

Executive

Manager, Customer Success

Really solid advice here. Keeping this for my future opportunities.

Sunbunny31

Arsonist

Sr Sales Executive 🐰

Ask about them. Of course you will have done some research into their history, but there’s nothing like providing an opening for them to talk and provide insight.

harleyfatboy

Opinionated

Sales Director

After the interview - Always send a thank you note recapping high level the interview and why you are the candidate they should hire. I’m amazed how many people don’t send thank you letters.

VP Sales

Please take this advice. I would say that over the last year. I’ve only received a follow up from maybe 20% of the candidates I’ve interviewed.