Thoughts on putting people through product presentations in the interview?

I'm actually going through an interview process now and being asked to present the product/demo and genuinely thought about dropping out of the process but the company has real potential.


I've always thought this was a dumb exercise that proved nothing but someone's ability to cram and create undue stress. What does everyone else think?


If you're voting that it shows something, let us all know what that is!

Should companies have sales people present their product in the interview process?

Attached poll
*Voting in this poll no longer yields commission.
๐ŸŽˆ Mentorship
๐Ÿ‘ฅ Hiring
๐Ÿค Interviewing/Offer
6
Rallier
Politicker
4
SDR Manager and Consultant
I don't think it should be a product presentation because they don't work there yet! Make it a presentation about literally anything else. Teach them the product later
Beans
Big Shot
4
Enterprise Account Executive
100p.

Either that or ask them to teach you something they're passionate about, anything - Chess, film, BBQ'ing etc.ย 

That will give a great analogue of how they sell.
ReadTheScript
Politicker
1
Sales Manager
Great point. I love the idea of seeing how people present when excited about a topic. Then on the company side, once they're hired, figuring out how we get them that excited about whatever it is you're selling.
ReadTheScript
Politicker
1
Sales Manager
I agree. The whole interview process should be set up to be a platform for the salesperson to present.
ReadTheScript
Politicker
2
Sales Manager
To add to my thought. Having been a recruiter and also hired salespeople, if you can't determine from how the person sells themselves on the role there's a larger problem in the interview process. This can't be fixed by talking about the product.
SalesPharaoh
Big Shot
1
Senior Account Executive
Don't think it helps, also I as an interviewee i don't put effort into those presentations.
funcoupons
WR Officer
1
๐Ÿ‘‘
Frankly, unless it's a high level or technical position where an employer needs to know whether someone can program in a certain language or something, I don't really believe in making candidates put a bunch of time into a project or presentation during the interview process unless you're willing to pay them for it.

If you ask the right questions and spend enough time interviewing someone, you should be able to determine whether they're going to have the skills you're looking for. If it turns out they don't, well that's what a probationary period is for.

I was entertaining an offer and they wanted me to present on their product AND on something I'm passionate about and I thought that was very excessive. I don't have time for several hours of unpaid work...
ReadTheScript
Politicker
0
Sales Manager
I'm 100% behind this. Depending on the size of the company though you can come in and then as you continue to hire say "we're not doing this shit anymore"
Bittersweet0326
Politicker
1
Digital Business Associate
I'm not opposed to a sales pitch. More than anything it shows what you can put together with limited time and limited information. As long as you are understanding that going into it the interview, it should be a breeze.
CuriousFox
WR Officer
1
๐ŸฆŠ
Nope. I don't work for free. Thanks for playing.
Chep
WR Officer
0
Bitcoin Adoption Specialist
I think it can be a good indication of whether or not you can give demos, but I think you should get a lot of leeway since you can only find so much out about the product until you join the company (Or buy it as a prospect)
ReadTheScript
Politicker
0
Sales Manager
It could be depending on how it's set up. I think we overvalue the ability to demo, probably because most companies don't train on how to do it (or any of the sales process for that matter) the right way. Most groups also aren't emphasizing enough how much a great demo is tied to strong discovery.

The companies that I know who are crushing are spending an incredible amount of time evaluating their ability to ask good questions and try to piece together solutions from that curiosity.
MR.StretchISR
Politicker
0
ISR
I don't think it should be a product presentation because they don't work there yet! Make it a presentation about literally anything else. Teach them the product later
Clashingsoulsspell
Politicker
0
ISR
I'm one of the few people who is also Anti-SDR. I think the over specialization causes more work (and cost) for everyone. I think an AE should be able to handle prospecting, discovery and proposal creation/follow up.
Cyberjarre
Politicker
0
BDR
SDRs shouldn't be responsible for closing small deals AND sourcing pipeline. You end up with a team that's serving two different priorities, and not doing a good job with either.
3

Opinion on asking "Industry Question" to a Decision Maker/New Prospect at the start of a Demo/Discovery call? (Recommended in sales trainings)

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11
6

Do your prospects expect a technical test as part of the procurement process? Any tips how to bypass a long and painful technical tests? ๐Ÿฆพ

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15

IMO, having someone do a presentation on a product during an interview is dumb. Thoughts?

Question
17