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Starting a new job on Monday...kinda nervous...how do I prepare?

by chadim
9 replies
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So, the time has come for me to start my new job. Starting in sales at a small software company on Monday. I'll basically be the second sales guy on the team, that's how small we are. We're selling a software product that prevents hackers from stealing your personal information using prevention, detection, and mitigation methods.

I haven't worked a sales job in almost 2 years, so I'm a bit unsure of myself in this regard. Just wondering what I should do between now and Monday, what I should bring, and any other tips/advice people might have in order for me to get started on the right foot. Since the job will involve alot of cold calling and selling over the phone, I picked up and am reading the book, "Smart Calling" by Art Sobczak.

Looking forward to reading what you have to say. Thanks.

Chad
  • Profile picture of the author MoneyMagnetMagnate
    Did they give you any product literature to bone up on? Always helps to know your software...and anecdotal instances where your software can be useful...practical applications...
    Ask questions - take notes

    There are some folks in here who are very experienced at cold calling, and telemarketing - look in the offline threads for some advice there...

    Best of luck in your new endeavor -
    Cheers
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  • Profile picture of the author Peter May
    Hi Chad,

    Good luck with the interview.

    It is notthat difficult to impress at an interview when you know how to deliver or impress.

    For a long time I worked for a company and conducted interviews as well as trained interviewers.

    The best quick advise I could give is :

    Google or grab as much info on the company as you can read and learn keeping bullet points in mind.
    Message their ego with "How Great Their Company" is or "How Their Company Is Changing The WHOLE Industry" This is great when they hit you with an awkward or uncomfortable question, either hit them with a compliment/fact they didn't know existed or answer their quwstion with a question they feel uncomfortable with to reverse the "authority"

    Posture This "sub-consciously" gives signals you can change this first impression just by how you hold your posture, Radiate Confidence.

    Control the interview, especially if a small company you could change the interview process to your favour i.e. it would be their advantage to get you or you could be a competitor! (be careful of ignorance )

    Good Luck,

    PM me Chad for any other advice (only Chad please, anyone else just post on thread) as I would like to see you succeed.

    Peter

    Peter
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    • Profile picture of the author chadim
      Hi Peter,

      Thanks for responding. Just to clarify, it's not an interview. I actually got the job and I'm starting on Monday. Just wondering what I should do so that I can hit the ground running.

      It's software sales where we offer a webinar then a trial, but not really my background. I impressed them enough in the interview, but I'll still have a steep learning curve. They don't really have a "training" program, so I'll need to get up to speed on my own. Any recommendations/suggestions? Thanks.

      Chad
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  • Profile picture of the author seasoned
    The way you describe it does NOT make sense! It is impossible to do that between the keyboard and the browser, since the browser needs to have the information. It would be a security risk and senseless to create a vector between the browser and output. Output MUST be in the universal SSL standard to input to the server, though some idiot COULD leave that out. If they do, and you use it, it will fail. The exact reverse true on the server. MANY fail to protect the server, but companies pay MILLIONS to do that and with good reason. It isn't something you can just snap your fingers to do.

    There ARE products to encrypt the whole CLIENT computer, to protect IT if stolen. Apparently there are some big players there. There are a few products to protect connections to private networks, but there are some VERY big players THERE. The two biggest, that probably have over 60% of the world wide market are CISCO and RSA.

    For other client things, some products DO try to catch unencrypted info in cookies and transmitted to tell you it is being attempted.

    So it would be nice to know exactly what the product YOU are selling is to do. One of my favorite anecdotes is how an idiot at HP tried VERY hard to INSIST that a wordperfect driver for windows would solve my problem as to the codes needed to get color on a new printer running on SCO UNIX for an accounting program I wrote. That is like suggesting that tires for a toy TONKA truck would help me replace a broken wing on a boeing 737 jet aircraft!

    Anyway, LEARN about the product, try to USE it, and determine how to honestly sell the sizzle, and you should be FINE! I would ALSO suggest checking out the competitors, and trying to find HONEST ways to counter objections.

    Steve
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  • Profile picture of the author hardraysnight
    i recommend a few stiff scotches, in the morning, requencing as the day goes on
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    • Profile picture of the author MoneyMagnetMagnate
      Originally Posted by hardraysnight View Post

      i recommend a few stiff scotches, in the morning, requencing as the day goes on
      That's funny...but not good advice for a first day...:p

      It reminded me of a friend of mine, who had a job people would (and probably did) kill for...he worked at the Skywalker Ranch, setting up and taking down sets - he told me he finally had to quit and get a real engineering job, because all the refrigerators were full of beer, and basically they all just drank beer all day! :p :rolleyes:

      I hope I haven't given away a studio secret...:p

      When he said this - it cracked me up! "Let me get this straight...you worked at a place, in a job that probably thousands of people were trying to get ...PLUS you got to DRINK BEER ALL DAY????"

      And you quit???? :confused: :rolleyes: (in his defense, he said the pay wasn't so great :p)

      But - (to avoid any legal action) that was the OLD Skywalker Ranch...they are much more responsible now
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  • Profile picture of the author chadim
    I guess my concern is that I still have quite a bit to learn about the product/technology as well as the day-to-day duties. There's one other sales/manager type guy in the department. I'm wondering if they'd allow me to shadow him to see how he does things during the first week before I'm banging out calls and setting appointments.

    Most companies seem to have training in place, but this company is small, so who knows if they expect me to be banging out calls my first day. I'm confident I could be effective once I get up to speed. Just need a bit of time. Isn't that typical in setting expectations?

    Chad
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    • Profile picture of the author MoneyMagnetMagnate
      Originally Posted by chadim View Post

      I guess my concern is that I still have quite a bit to learn about the product/technology as well as the day-to-day duties. There's one other sales/manager type guy in the department. I'm wondering if they'd allow me to shadow him to see how he does things during the first week before I'm banging out calls and setting appointments.

      Most companies seem to have training in place, but this company is small, so who knows if they expect me to be banging out calls my first day. I'm confident I could be effective once I get up to speed. Just need a bit of time. Isn't that typical in setting expectations?

      Chad
      Many companies or individuals develop a calling script - some companies make you strictly adhere to the script, and some use them as an outline...personally - I prefer the latter method.

      The guys doing it now shouldn't have a problem with you shadowing for a bit to get your feet wet - how long is subjective, but I would never throw anyone to the lions without a little meat on their bones...
      (I know...it's a mixed metaphor...but I haven't had my coffee yet)
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  • Profile picture of the author HeySal
    Pick out what you are going to wear - then smoke a fattie. That'll do ya.
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    Sal
    When the Roads and Paths end, learn to guide yourself through the wilderness
    Beyond the Path

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