Build awareness that sales require high knowledge and skill level and that salespeople must be well-prepared when calling on customers.

Have students interview a salesperson to better understand what it takes to be successful in professional selling. In addition to the following interview questions, require students to develop two additional questions for their interviews.

1. What are the key skills required in your job?

2. What do you need to know about your products/services in order to succeed?

3. How has professional selling changed in the past few years?

4. How do you prepare for sales calls with new customers?

5. What are the biggest challenges to conducting a sales presentation with a customer?

6. How does your sales position differ from other types of sales positions (other industries)?

7. What education is required for sales with your company?

8. Develop two additional questions for your interviewee about the world of sales

9. Include at your discretion any other pertinent sales-related information from your interviews on how to be a successful salesperson.

Students should write a 2-page report of their interviews. The first page should be a title page containing the Name of the Company, Course Name, Student Name and Date. The report should have an opening paragraph stating where you went and who you interviewed. Then details addressing the questions plus your additional 2 questions followed by a summary closing paragraph stating if this is a company you would want to work with and why.