How to Answer Sell Me this Pen in an Interview

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If you happen to have a sales interview coming up this week, let me ensure you the interviewer will ask you to sell something to them and it could be a pen.

Since pens are quite a common object and are found in most offices, you will be asked to sell that first. And if the thought is already scaring you, then let me assure you that after reading this post you will be as confident as ever.

In this article, you will learn what to do when “sell me this pen” interview question is posed upon you, as selling a pen in an interview would help employers to assess your sales skills.

What comes to your mind when you first hear this phrase “sell me this pen“?

Well, the first thing that strikes our mind is the scene from one of the Hollywood’s hit movie Wolf of Wallstreet.

I am sure many of you might have already watched this movie and got an idea about how this phrase “sell me this pen” kept the audience thinking about the answer when Jordan Belfort (Leonardo DiCaprio) asks this question.

Actually, its a must-watch. If you haven’t watched the movie yet, just watch this scene.

“Sell me this pen” Wolf of Wall Street:

Above video showcases a classic scene from the Hollywood movie “The Wolf of Wall Street“

In this scene, Leonardo DiCaprio, playing former stockbroker Jordan Belfort takes out a pen and asks a random person from the audience “sell me this pen” when the person keeps thinking he moves onto the next person asking the same question and then moves to another person and so on.

This kind of question is actually a challenge to any sales guy. As per my view, it is a good question not because it is tough, but is easy with a simple answer.

“You have to know the buyer” is the perfect solution for this type of question.

Common Sales Mistakes:

Here are the two basic sales mistakes to avoid:

Not Guessing what consumer looks for in a pen when buying
Lack of information about the features of the pen

Important Questions To Ask Customers When Selling a Product:

Before answering this question we need to ask a few questions to the prospect, to understand what are his requirements and expectations about the pen.

When was the last time you used a pen? What were you doing?
Fashion or function: What do you consider most important in a pen?
If fashion: Why?
If function: Why?
How often do you need a new pen?
What event usually happens for you to buy a new pen?
Does cost matter to you for buying a pen?
The one thing that really gets you pissed off, about a pen.
If you don’t find a pen when you need to write something important, how do you feel?

The Power of Questions: How to Use Them?

The questions above listed were asked to know about the prospect’s idea of a perfect pen. These questions help us to prepare a pitch.

Now when coming to the real motive of asking the question, it increases the persuasion in 2 ways, they are

When our opinions are shared, it gives us pleasure.
You get distracted for making judgements while answering questions.

The next step after asking the questions is providing the solution to sell me this pen interview question.

Review the need or problem
Put forward a strong one-line statement (situation changing)
Provide the solution

Pro Tip: Try to show them the problem-free future first. Then, explain about the pen and how it can help them.

Sell me this pen best answer:

The employer asks this question mainly to check whether the candidate possesses this 4 sales skills

How you gather details
How you respond to data
How you deliver information
Finally ending the deal (closing statement)

Here is the video representation to answer sell me this pen interview question

Here are some cool tips and ideas on how you should be selling them in an interview. Read them carefully before preparing yourself.

Best Answer to “Sell Me This Pen” Interview Question:

1. Prepare yourself:

Before you go for an interview, always prepare yourself for it especially if it’s going to be a sales job.

There are times when we aren’t able to crack an interview because we aren’t able to answer questions immediately, especially when selling products come into question. You have to practise and prepare yourself at home before starting.

2. Take a close look at the pen:

The first thing you should do is take a close look at the pen. Look at it very carefully. You should not take more than ten seconds before you start off.

Plus ten seconds is more than enough for someone to look at a product carefully.

3. Start off with its features:

In order to sell a pen in an interview, it is important to focus on its features. Being a good salesperson is about listing down all the good stuff about the product.

You should write what is so good about the pen and most importantly what do you think the user will be able to do with.

Of course, the pen is pretty looking and writes really well but what is so great about this product, sets it apart from the rest. Think of this before answering.

4. Prove that the person is in need of this pen:

One of the most important things in the world of business and sales is that people who are selling a product should always know what the person is looking for and must be able to cater to their needs.

An example can be used to illustrate this. If you are expected to sell a pen or even notepad, go ahead and ask a few questions which will give you an idea as to why this item is a must.

The presentation could start with “Assuming that you don’t have this pen right now, can you kindly tell me what you do when you are in the middle of an important paperwork meeting and don’t have anything in hand? And even if you have a pen in hand, does it work smooth? Or does it lack refill?

What if I tell you about a pen that doesn’t run out of refill at all? Or what if I tell you about a pen that not only writes but also tells you the time?” Asking questions like this will always help you sell better.

5. Talk about the advantages of pen:

Once you have helped the person in front of you understand that they are in desperate need of a pen, you should describe in a proper way about the advantages that come along with it.

You could start off with something like this “It does look like you can benefit a lot from this pen. I have some really cool facts here that can help you.

Have you ever wanted to have a pen that can work so smoothly that it looks like calligraphy? Most importantly, have you ever wanted a pen that comes with no stains?

If the answer is yes, then this is what the pen will help you with. Like this, you may start off with all the benefits and impress the interviewer.

6. There should be arguments! Never forget that!:

The person who is interviewing you will definitely try his best to test you by saying something negative to every comment you give. You should try your best not to feel flustered.

Listen to their comments closely and then you can offer some solutions that meet the concern of the interviewer. I can also give you a nice example of this one.

If you ask your client with what kind of pens do they like writing and if they tell you a ball pen, you can tell them that gel pens are way better, especially the one that you have in hand.

They may say that they are worried about the stain to put you down but you can easily tell them that ball pens can never help your writing look good! Gel pens do expect you to take a little care but they write so well, everyone will be impressed!

7. Learn how to close the whole deal:

When you are wrapping up the sale of this pen, you should always imagine ways that will make the customer think of you. They should be left with a good impression.

In short, we mean you should leave a mark in their hearts. For example, you can ask them “how much do you think this whole set of pens will cost? Really? You will be shocked knowing that they will cost you two times lesser than other expensive signature pens.

If you don’t believe me, check out this label yet. Or you know what, try this out. You are going to love this so much, we bet you will want a whole box of them.

You can also call us on our website for more details.” You can end the sales interview by smiling at them and shaking their hands.

8. Don’t forget to sell yourself:

Apart from practising all these techniques of sales, you also have to remember to promote yourself. Let people know you because of your personality, your behaviour and the beautiful shining smile you have.

You must always remember to be confident, engaging and fun-loving. You must always create an environment that is respectful, warm and react gently. You should never come across as someone who is arrogant or rude.

Always know that the interviewer is keen on knowing you as a person, so show them that!

Alternate Methods on Selling Pens During Interview:

Here are some alternative methods that can help you sell a pen or any other product during an interview

1. Ask them to let you prepare:

Okay, so this point goes out to those who are so nervous during interviews that they need time to brush their skills. Get hold of a pen and grab a piece of paper. Study the pen you are going to sell.

Also, write down a few questions that you would like to ask the customer that can help you convince them. If you also have the time, jot down a few quick features along with some benefits that you could use during the presentation.

2. Start off like this:

Next, you should start off by formally thanking the customer for giving you their precious time. You should also let them know why you are in that interview and that they can ask you questions when they would like to.

You may ask them questions such as why do you happen to be in the market for a pen and how many pens are you looking forward to buy and what are the features that could be expecting from their pen. Gather all the info before saying something.

Other Important Tips on Selling Pens:

Here are some other essential tips you should always remember while selling pens during an interview. Keep these ideas in mind as well!

1. Know how to handle your concerns:

You should always know how to be able to handle your concerns. The interviewer will definitely be counter questioning you so that they can test you and understand how you react under pressure.

This is, of course, going to be very hard but you should always stay calm and react gently. Always be willing to answer all questions in a spontaneous manner and show that you are happy that this pen challenge was given to you!

2. Be ready for those curveballs:

There is no reason to simply focus on a single pen. Your energy is not worth it. You should instead think of all the different things that could be found in every office situation.

This will also allow you to prepare for the interview and also help you add all the points you need to while selling it.

Apart from this, you must also familiarize yourself with all the products that your company sells in every event.

3. Let the interviewer know that the pen could save his life:

Another important tip you should remember while selling a pen is that you should be able to cater to the needs of the interviewer.

You should speak confidently and say only those things that will make the interviewer feel like their life is dependent on this one product that you are selling.

Don’t forget to put yourself in that person’s shoes! Also, you must let them know that you have been in situations where you wanted something but didn’t get it. That will help you establish a rapport with them.

4. A call of action is a must:

You must always remember to add a call to action as a technique. This happens to be the final phase of selling any product when you are in an interview.

This could be a vital selling point that should really never go unnoticed. You have to give the person interviewing you a reason to be able to purchase the product immediately even when you are in that room.

Though this could be just another exercise, it is an important process that should be started from the start to the end.

5. Speak in a nice voice and don’t forget about your body language:

Now that we are coming towards the end of the article, this is something that must be told. It doesn’t matter if you are selling a pen or a piece of jewellery… if you want to sell a product to your clients and impress them, you have to be confident and impress them with your body language.

When you are attending a sales session, don’t forget to smile at them. This will automatically please the interviewer. Secondly, you should have a nice tone to your voice that sounds sweet and impressive.

You should show that you are enthusiastic about this and very much confident about the pen you are selling.

6. Do enough research:

This is something you must do before attending the interview. You should have a good idea about the industry because most importantly they are going to ask you to sell a product that belongs to their company.

So you really need to show them that you can do it. You must show that you can handle questions like a pro, are well behaved and that you can sell this pen-like the best salesman in the whole world. If you can do that, the job is yours and we can vouch for it!

The Best Answer to “sell me a pen interview question”: 4 Different Ways to Sell

In a sales interview, asking a candidate to sell something has been the favourite question for most of the recruiters.

The one thing which they mainly analyze is how you approach the given situation.

Many people dry different methods, some search the web, some take help from their managers etc.

But let me tell you, there is no correct answer to it

1. The poor seller’s approach:

The poor seller mainly will explain the functionalities of the pen, rather than focusing on the needs of the client

Example:

Seller: “It’s an awesome pen, made by white gold.”
Client: “I don’t need a pen, and by the way, this one is too expensive.”
Seller: “But the ink is first quality, try to hold it to feel the grip…”
Client: “No thanks, I have to go.”

2. The success seller’s approach:

The success seller here follows the approach of asking the questions to the client

Example:

Seller: “Write your name down on this sheet.”
Client: “But I don’t have a pen!”
Seller: “Here it is!”

3. A clear example of “how to sell a pen interview question answer”

CEO: “Do me a favour, sell me this pen.” (reaches across to hand me the pen)
Seller: (I slowly roll the pen between my index and thumb fingers.) “When was the last time you used a pen?”
CEO: “This morning.”
Seller: “Do you remember what kind of pen that was?”
CEO: “No.”
Seller: “Do you remember why you were using it to write?”
CEO: “Yes. Signing a few new customer contracts.”
Seller: “Well I’d say that’s the best use for a pen (we have a subtle laugh).
Wouldn’t you say signing those new customer contracts is an important event for the business? (nods head) Then shouldn’t it be treated like one. What I mean by that is, here you are signing new customer contracts, an important and memorable event. All while using a very unmemorable pen.
We grew up, our entire lives, using cheap BIC pens because they get the job done for grocery lists and directions. But we never gave it much thought to learn what’s best for more important events.
This is the pen for more important events. This is the tool you use to get deals done. Think of it as a symbol for taking your company to the next level. Because when you begin using the right tool, you are in a more productive state of mind, and you begin to sign more new customer contracts.
Actually. You know what? Just this week I shipped ten new boxes of these pens to Elon Musk’s office.
Unfortunately, this is my last pen today (reach across to hand pen back to CEO). So, I suggest you get this one. Try it out. If you’re not happy with it, I will personally come back next week to pick it up. And it won’t cost you a dime.
What do you say?”
CEO: (picks jaw up off the floor) “Yes”.

Source: sellfapp

Now after reading this article I am sure, you have got an idea on how to proceed with sell me this pen answer or sell me something interview question.4

4. Finally its your turn, to “sell me the pen “:

Here you don’t have to mug up the answers provided, just craft a pitch and follow. Things you need to do are.

Collect the data or information
React to the information
Offer a solution
In the end, close the sale

No matter what you are expected to sell during a sales interview, always remember that it is your attitude that matters most. Your interviewer wants to see your best and your worst.

This could also be a great time for you to showcase your talents so don’t be shy to speak what’s on your mind.

And if you follow all these points, we bet you will be able to handle all tough questions during sales interviews. On that note, we would like to wish you good luck!