If an interviewer asks you to sell them a pen, how would you do that?
Salesmanship, smartness and thinking on feet
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Feb 25, 2014
I would have started by getting a behavioral read on the interviewer when I walked in the door.
By the time that he/she asked me to sell them the pen, they would be selling it to themselves with little effort on my part!
Feb 20, 2014
It is important that you focus on what the interviewer is wanting from you. Get a sense of what the interviewer needs to hear in order to want to purchase the pen. Maybe it is the features of the pen and maybe you should describe how the pen can be used in everyday life to help make his life easier. The interviewer will say, i don't need a pen, i have a computer etc. You will need to figure out how to work around technology and make him understand that a pen is necessary even as the future progresses and writing utensils become more obsolete.
Feb 20, 2014
Sell them for the pen. Imagine they have a check for a million dollars or lucrative contract and they don't have a pen, also a minute to sign. What will they do? Buy a pen from you now!
Feb 19, 2014
I am Sorry I need to ask a Question are you in Sales or do you want to be in Marketing?
You sell it in opposite directions with an emphasis on the other?
If you can't do than Sales and Marketing is not your strong suit, maybe you should be in support get an accounting degree or be a visionary or just a high paying actuary. Good luck!
Feb 19, 2014
ask the interviewer for a signature, then when they ask you for a pen, tell them, "supply and demand!" See "Wolf of Wall Street!"
create a need, or desire, then offer a solution
Feb 19, 2014
I would ask, "Why would you want to by that pen" they would tell me.
I would ask, "How would owning that pen help you" they would tell me
I would ask, "what would you be willing to pay for that pen" they would tell me
I would say , "SOLD"
Feb 19, 2014
First I would ask them how they heard about me and why they decided to stop in today to see me about their pen purchase. Then I would I ask them if they had given any thought about their pending purchase. What type of pen are they in the market to buy? What functions are most important? Is their a specific style or color? How much writing in a given day do they plan to do? What do they do for a living? Is comfort while writing important? Lastly, I would ask them when they needed to make their purchase. If I have a pen that will meet all your needs we have been discussing, will you purchase from me today?
If yes...you have a slae. If no...keep closing. Questions, questions, questions!
Feb 19, 2014
How about this scene from the Wolf of Wall Street:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lPKm-dIIIkY
Feb 18, 2014
As an interviewer, I am looking at your sales style. Are you going to ask me questions about what I look for in a pen or are you just going to feature dump. I want you to listen to what I'm looking for and explain how the features benefit me according to what I look for, and don't forget to ask for the sale and close.
Feb 18, 2014
Thank you Mr. Crisci and nice to meet you. In case the interviewer is indifferent about the pen(common case in real life), is there any way to plant in the interviewer's mind the sense of need for the pen (incentive)? Something such as (no pen, no signature, no contracts...no profit)
Feb 18, 2014
The question is to make sure the interviewee understands how to sell such as offering benefits instead of features. Demonstrate that you understand the question and give a good answer that you understand the basic principles of selling.
Feb 19, 2014
Joseph, I think your answer represents the right approach. Thankfully, I no longer interview for jobs. I don't suffer such foolishness well.
Feb 18, 2014
Interviewer: "How do you sell this pen."
Candidate: [takes pen]: "Can you please write your name?"
Interviewer: [Asks for the pen]
Candidate: "Ya I can sell it to you for $X"
Feb 19, 2014
Shubham, I love this answer. It's short and effective. You get the interviewer to experience the loss of the pen, the need for the pen and be in the position to purchase. This highlights the principle that experiences are better than words. Well done.
Feb 19, 2014
He just saw Wolf of Wallstreet.... that's where that's from. But it's a great approach right?
Tim, well said, you can't make a sale with a verbal dump. You need to ask these questions and continue to do so until the sale is made. I like to add another question to the mix; "Are you having a profitable year or a down year"? When they ask why, you simply state it helps me understand what color pen you need. If profitable black is your color if not perhaps red would be the color you need. This may add a little levity to the discussion which always helps to make a sale.