answer the interview questions Your interview should cover all four topic areas listed below. Use these questions as a guide. Part 1: The Nature of Sales: Now and in the Future. What do you believe are the greatest rewards and most difficult challenges for professional salespeople at your company, and more generally? What would you say are the top five activities that salespeople in your company spend their time doing? Roughly what percentage of their time is spent doing each of these activities? If we were looking at your company 5 years ago, is there anything that would not have been in the top 5? What do you think accounts for this difference? Looking forward to 5 years from now, is there anything that you see falling out of the top 5? What will take its place? Why do you think so? Part 2: Sales Careers and Careers beyond Sales Can you describe a typical sales career at your company? What other typical career paths do people who start in sales take in your company? How does compensation compare for sales careers in your company, compared to other positions at the company? How does work-life balance compare for sales careers in your company, compared to other positions at the company? What other things do you think students should consider when evaluating sales as a career path? Part 3: Preparing for a First Sales Position What are some characteristics of successful new hires at your company? In your opinion, whats the greatest mistake a new salesperson can make? What advice do you have for students considering a sales job after graduation? Is a sales position with your company a good entry-level job for UConn students? Why or why not? (If not, what experience should students get first?) Part 4: Some Firmographics How many salespeople and sales offices are there in your company? What is a rough percentage of the management team who has some sales experience?