Even if you’re just getting started, sales and marketing careers offer some of the fastest paths to career growth, income potential, and leadership roles. For those wondering how to get into sales and position themselves as top candidates in entry-level marketing interviews, there’s a clear formula: preparation, differentiation, and execution.
This article walks you through every step you need to take to break into the industry and shine in interviews, even if you have limited sales experience.
What the Sales and Marketing Field Entails
Sales and Marketing: Interconnected But Distinct
Sales involves persuading potential customers to purchase products or services, while marketing focuses on building awareness and interest. Nowadays, especially with startups and small businesses, these functions often overlap. Many roles require both customer-facing sales activity and digital or field marketing execution.
Why Sales Is the Ideal Starting Point
Starting in sales gives you immediate access to customer conversations. You learn what customers want, how they think, and what objections they may have—real-world knowledge that fuels better marketing decisions. Being a salesperson also builds resilience, persuasion skills, and confidence—traits that carry over into any career.
Building the Foundation
Develop a Sales Mindset
Even before applying, your mindset should be geared towards results, persistence, and learning. Sales is less about charm and more about active listening, curiosity, and the ability to offer value. Study the principles of influence, consultative selling, and relationship-building.
Learn the Language of Sales
You don’t need to be fluent in sales jargon, but you should understand common terms like “pipeline,” “lead qualification,” “cold calling,” “CRM systems,” and “objection handling.” You’ll come across as more confident and competent in interviews if you speak the language.
Seek Low-Risk Experience Opportunities
If you’re struggling to get your first formal sales job, find ways to gain relevant experience:
- Volunteer for fundraising or community outreach roles
- Offer to help a local business with outreach
- Sell products through affiliate programs or marketplaces
- Join mock sales competitions, often offered by business clubs or online platforms
These experiences demonstrate initiative and give you stories to share in interviews.
Learn from the Best Even If You’re Not Hired Yet
Read books like The Challenger Sale, SPIN Selling, or Sell with a Story. Watch real cold calls on YouTube or LinkedIn. Follow top-performing salespeople and marketing thought leaders online. The more familiar you are with real-world scenarios, the more articulate you’ll be when explaining your interest and fit for a role.
Adjusting Your Resume
Focus on Transferable Skills
Employers rarely expect you to have sales experience right out of college, but they do expect competence. Highlight:
- Communication: Public speaking, presentations, customer service.
- Problem-Solving: Situations where you overcame challenges or improved results.
- Teamwork: Group projects, leadership roles, or sports teams.
- Initiative: Starting a club, managing a side hustle, or promoting a personal project.
Use Metrics Wherever Possible
Even if your experience is limited, numbers boost credibility. Instead of saying:
- “Worked at a front desk”
Say:
- “Assisted 50+ guests daily and resolved 90% of requests without escalation”
Position Your Objective or Summary Strategically
Write a compelling two-sentence pitch at the top of your resume. For example:
“Aspiring sales and marketing professional with strong communication skills and a background in community outreach. Eager to contribute to a growing team by helping increase brand exposure and close deals.”
How to Prepare for Entry-Level Sales and Marketing Interviews
Study the Company’s Sales Funnel
Before the interview, research how the company generates leads, qualifies them, and closes deals. Do they rely on social media, cold calls, email marketing, or events? If possible, request a demo of their product. Your understanding of their sales process will make you sound far more prepared than the average applicant.
Practice Behavioral and Role-Play Questions
Expect questions like:
- “Describe a time you had to persuade someone.”
- “How do you handle rejection?”
- “How would you sell me this pen?”
Prepare structured responses using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result). Role-play sales scenarios with a friend or mentor to practice improvising under pressure.
Prepare Questions That Show Initiative
At the end of every interview, you’ll be invited to ask questions. Go beyond the basics.
Ask:
- “What do your top sales reps do differently?”
- “How does marketing support sales outreach here?”
- “What does success look like in the first 90 days?”
These questions signal that you think like a future performer, not just a job seeker.
Standing Out in a Competitive Pool
Build a Mini Portfolio or Sales Pitch
Create a short pitch deck or document that shows how you’d sell the company’s product or attract leads. Include:
- A sample cold outreach message
- A mock buyer persona
- A quick competitor analysis
Even if it’s basic, the effort will set you apart from 95% of other candidates.
Follow Up with Purpose
Send a personalized thank-you email after each interview. Don’t just say “thank you”—mention something you learned, reiterate why you’re excited about the role, and include one more thoughtful question or idea. For example:
“Thank you again for our conversation. I’ve been thinking about the challenge you mentioned with converting inbound leads. I’d love to brainstorm ways to boost that rate through segmentation or A/B testing.”
Leverage LinkedIn for Visibility and Validation
Post about your learning journey, sales projects, or interview takeaways. Tagging the company (if appropriate) can boost visibility. Also, ask professors, colleagues, or previous managers for LinkedIn recommendations highlighting your communication skills, drive, or work ethic.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Overemphasizing Education Without Experience
Although your degree is important, don’t make it the centerpiece of your candidacy. Sales and marketing roles reward action, not just credentials. Shift the focus to what you’ve done, even if that’s just a simulated project or part-time job.
Not Showing Enthusiasm for Sales
Some candidates treat sales as a fallback. Hiring managers can sense that hesitation. Show you respect the profession and are excited to develop sales skills as a foundation for long-term success, whether in business development, account management, or marketing strategy.
Applying to Too Many Roles Without Focus
Shotgunning applications can backfire. Instead, choose 10–15 companies you genuinely admire. Research each one, tailor your resume and cover letter, and show up prepared. Quality beats quantity in early-career applications.
The Long-Term Payoff of Starting in Sales
Fast Advancement and Income Potential
Sales roles often offer bonuses or commissions even at the entry level. More importantly, top performers are promoted quickly. Within a few years, many will move into:
- Account executive roles
- Sales team management
- Marketing strategy
- Customer success or growth roles
Skills That Transfer to Any Career
Learning how to sell means learning how to:
- Communicate clearly
- Handle objections gracefully
- Solve problems under pressure
- Understand people’s motivations
Whether you move into executive leadership or any client-facing role, these skills are invaluable.
Industry Flexibility
Sales is needed in every industry, from tech to healthcare to media. Once you’ve proven you can sell, you can transition to roles in industries that align with your passions or long-term goals.
Final Thoughts
Figuring out how to get into sales is often less about waiting for permission and more about taking initiative. You don’t need a degree in marketing or a lengthy resume to break into this fast-paced, rewarding field. All it takes is drive, preparation, and the willingness to learn from every opportunity. That way, you set yourself apart as a candidate with long-term potential.
No Sales Experience? No Problem!
Luxen & Co. offers some of the best sales jobs with no experience required. New hires are immersed in real-world scenarios from day one, gaining experience in communication, problem-solving, and closing deals. You’ll also get the support you need to build confidence quickly, develop a winning mindset, and earn commissions even as you learn.
Apply now if you’re hungry to grow and ready to contribute!