|  Job Tasks |  Job Knowledge |  Job Skills  |
| Interests, Abilities and Work Values  | Summary  |

If you believe you are suited for a career in technical sales, then you have to prepare yourself mentally, emotionally, professionally, and physically, for the job.  For many freshmen, it’s a 4-year maturing process.

When selecting technical sales representatives, here are 5 questions a recruiter needs answers to:

1.  Will you add to or take away from the company culture?

2.  Are you a person of good character?

These are your traits such as honesty, self-motivation, organized, trustworthiness, etc.

3.  Is your knowledge relevant to the position opening?

4.  Are you skills acceptable for the position opening?

5.  Do you have successful experiences related to the job position?

6.  Were you active in professional and social organizations in college and did you provide meaningful services to others in need?
 

Every company has a culture.  It includes their traditions, self image, and ways of doing things.  When a company representative or recruiter looks for new hires they look for people who can add to that culture - - not take away from it.   For example, one company that sells machine tools and hires UNK grads wants us to understand that in his company, it’s a coat-and-tie business.  Also they won’t hire tobacco users.  They want to portray an image of being a clean-cut professional company to do business with. 

Looks – You have 4 seconds.  A corporate image consultant recently wrote a book in which she claims you only have 4 seconds in which to make a positive image.  Dress and personal appearance are critical.  If you want to dress like a clown, then join the circus.  If you want to smell like a pig, then work with them.

Behaviors – Verbal and non-verbal behaviors are those things you say or do, that cause positive and/or negative reactions from others.  Improve your speech and the ability to carry on an intelligent conversation.  Ask your friends and family to point out your annoying mannerisms.  Better your family and friends than a company recruiter!

Knowledge – Relevant knowledge is power.  Not all knowledge comes from school.  A great source of knowledge is from seeing and doing things that are interesting and fun.  Much knowledge can come from just “hanging out” with the “right people.”  Always hang out with the “right people.”  They are the ones who will help you in the future. 

Skills – Learn how to do things of a technical nature: draw something technical, wire up something, machine or weld something, put something complex together, repair something, etc. It’s a great indicator of a technical and mechanical aptitude and interest and critical information recruiters look for in all six occupational categories.

 

Experience – Work experiences are critical.  Any and all have value.  Get some technical sales experience.  The internship is of SUPREME VALUE when interviewing for a job.