Sell me this pencil? Job Interview Question and Answer!

Sell me this pencil?

The question “Sell me this pencil” is a common job interview question that is often used to assess a candidate’s sales skills, creativity, and ability to think on their feet. The interviewer wants to see how you approach a sales situation, and how you use your communication skills to persuade the customer to buy the product. In this case, the product is a pencil. Here’s how you can answer this question:

Begin by assessing the customer’s needs: Before you can sell anything, you need to understand the customer’s needs. Ask the interviewer about the customer’s requirements for the pencil, such as the type of lead, the color of the barrel, the size of the eraser, etc. This will help you tailor your pitch to the customer’s needs.

Highlight the benefits of the pencil: Once you know the customer’s requirements, highlight the benefits of the pencil that meet those requirements. For example, if the customer wants a pencil with smooth lead, emphasize the pencil’s smoothness and the quality of the lead. If the customer wants a pencil with an eraser that doesn’t smudge, highlight the eraser’s effectiveness.

Create a sense of urgency: To close the sale, create a sense of urgency by highlighting the limited availability of the pencil or offering a special discount if the customer buys now. You could say something like, “This pencil is very popular and we only have a few left in stock. If you buy now, we can offer you a 10% discount on your purchase.”

Close the sale: Finally, ask the customer to make the purchase by saying something like, “So, would you like to buy this pencil today?”

Example Answer:

Interviewer: “Sell me this pencil.”

Candidate: “Sure! Can you tell me a little bit about your needs for a pencil? Do you prefer a certain type of lead or a particular color for the barrel?”

Interviewer: “I’m looking for a pencil that writes smoothly and has a durable eraser.”

Candidate: “Great! This pencil is perfect for you. It has a soft lead that writes very smoothly, and the eraser is very effective at removing any mistakes without smudging. Plus, it’s made with high-quality materials, so it’s very durable and long-lasting. And, since it’s a classic design, it never goes out of style. But, we only have a few left in stock. If you buy now, we can offer you a 10% discount on your purchase. So, would you like to buy this pencil today?”