Foundations for Interviewing with Confidence from Coursera

This is Course 2 in the Salesforce Sales Development Representative Professional Certificate. In order to successfully complete the course, please ensure you have taken Course 1: Groundwork for Success in Sales Development.

The goal of this course is to prepare you to build your professional tech sales portfolio, and develop and leverage your personal and professional brand. You will be primed to ace your interview and leave a lasting impression on your future employer. These skills will get you in the door of a fast-growing tech company and launch your tech sales career.

Course 2 in the Sales Development Representative (SDR) Professional Certificate will give you the necessary skills to launch a career in the non-technical side of the tech industry.

By the end of the course, you will be able to:

- Develop an understanding of the tech industry landscape in order to cultivate a long term career plan

- Construct an intimate understanding of your audience and express a personal story that is unforgettable

- Formulate a results-driven professional portfolio that showcases your track record and sets you apart from other candidates

- Create a lasting impression through the interview process

To be successful in this course, you should have:

- An ability to communicate in verbal and written form in a way that is accessible and understandable by a general audience (you don’t need to be formal or refined)

- Baseline computer literacy (you must be able to use a word processor, web search, and email)

- Familiarity with social media, including LinkedIn

- Ability and willingness to learn new technology tools

- Motivation to grow personally and professionally

- Hunger for feedback and coaching

- Successfully completed Course 1 in this training

What's inside

Syllabus

Unlock a Rewarding Career

Learn about current trends, the role of human-centered skills, and the importance of work-life balance in relation to the tech sales industry.

Build Your Personal Brand

Build a captivating personal brand that empathizes with your audience and helps you stand out from the crowd.

Create a Powerful Professional Portfolio

Construct a results-oriented professional portfolio that exhibits your achievements and transferrable skills.

Become an Interview Superstar

Uncover concrete strategies for preparing quality interview responses that make a lasting impression.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Continues a multi-course series in sales development

Develops professional skills needed within the tech industry

Focuses on the non-technical side of the tech industry

Recommended for those interested in a career in sales development

Reviews summary

Interviewing confidence builder

Learners say that Foundations for Interviewing with Confidence is a useful course that provides information on how to get a sales job and excel in interviews. Students especially appreciate the knowledge and tips on personal branding and differentiating oneself during an interview. However, some students warn that the examples used may not be accessible to those new to the field and that they experienced significant delays in receiving their grades and certificates. Overall, this course is well-received by most learners who are new to the US job market or who do not have extensive sales experience.

Suitable for individuals new to the US job market.

"It was ok for people just starting out on in the US job market."

"Some parts are less suitable outside the US (e.g. thank-you emails)."

"I expected more concrete tips on researching the company beforehand and videos and scripts for mock calls to get you started."

Provides valuable knowledge and tips for job seekers.

"I found this course really helpful in providing me with a detailed understanding of what I need to know to be successful when interviewing with tech companies."

"This course contained every knowledge I needed to start applying for jobs even without so much job experience."

"It explains how to differentiate oneself from the crowd going into an interview."

Examples used may be difficult to apply for those new to the field.

"I understand the need to be results driven and metric oriented, but the examples they use seem out of touch with the students likely to be taking this course."

"It doesn't really help me as somewhat who is coming from an industry that is not currently reliant on metrics."

"examples with the premise that I already have a vast set of "results" to include on my resume or profile seems out of touch."

Students experience long delays in receiving grades and certificates.

"I had to wait so long for grade, after I submitted my assignment even though I post it twice on discussion form."

"The grading process is very slow. It takes weeks to receive it which delays the process of getting a certificate and wastes time."

"I have completed my foundation for interviewing with confidence, and I received a score email. However, I have not yet received my certificate."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Foundations for Interviewing with Confidence with these activities:

Brush Up on Tech Industry Landscape

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Familiarizing yourself with the latest trends in the tech industry can help you make a more informed decision about your career path.

Browse courses on Trend Analysis

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Read industry news and articles.
Attend industry events or webinars.
Network with professionals in the tech industry.

LinkedIn Learning: Interviewing Techniques

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Taking an online tutorial on interviewing techniques can help you build your confidence and improve your skills.

Browse courses on Interview Skills

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Create a LinkedIn Learning account.
Search for and enroll in the Interviewing Techniques course.
Watch the videos and complete the exercises.

Attend Tech Industry Events

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Attending tech industry events can help you connect with potential employers and learn about new technologies.

Browse courses on Tech Industry

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Identify relevant events in your area.
Register for the events.
Attend the events and network with attendees.

Six other activities

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Refine Verbal Communication

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Warming up your verbal communication skills can allow you to make a more lasting impression during your interview.

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Practice in a setting with low stakes.
Have a conversation with a friend or family member.
Record yourself and watch it for errors.

Join a Study Group or Network

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Joining a study group or network can provide you with opportunities to connect with other professionals in the tech industry and learn from their experiences.

Browse courses on Peer Support

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Search for existing groups or networks.
Attend meetings or events.
Participate in discussions and share your insights.

Practice STAR Interview Method

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Practicing the STAR method can improve your ability to answer interview questions effectively.

Browse courses on Interview Skills

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Identify common interview questions.
Brainstorm examples that demonstrate your skills.
Structure your answers using the STAR method.

Create a Network List

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Creating a network list can improve your chances of finding a job or learning more about the industry.

Browse courses on Professional Networking

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Identify potential contacts.
Reach out and introduce yourself.
Follow up and nurture relationships.

Elevator Pitch

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Creating an elevator pitch will help you quickly and effectively communicate your value to potential employers.

Browse courses on Elevator Pitch

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Identify your unique selling proposition.
Develop a concise and engaging message.
Practice delivering your pitch out loud.

Develop a Personal Development Plan

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Developing a personal development plan helps you identify your strengths and weaknesses and set goals for improvement.

Browse courses on Personal Development

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Reflect on your values and goals.
Identify your strengths and weaknesses.
Set specific and achievable goals.
Create a plan to achieve your goals.

Career center

Learners who complete Foundations for Interviewing with Confidence will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Sales Development Representative

The SDR Professional Certificate at Salesforce is an excellent way to prepare for the Sales Development Representative (SDR) role. Course 2 of this certificate, Foundations for Interviewing with Confidence, is centered on getting you into a fast-growing tech company by developing your interviewing skills, personal branding, and professional portfolio. As an SDR, you will be the first point of contact for potential customers, and your ability to build relationships and close deals will be essential to your success.

See salaries and explore the career path for Sales Development Representative

Sales Manager

The SDR Professional Certificate at Salesforce is an excellent way to prepare for a role as a Sales Manager. Course 2 of this certificate, Foundations for Interviewing with Confidence, will teach you the skills you need to succeed in interviews and launch your tech sales career. As a Sales Manager, you will be responsible for leading and managing a team of sales representatives, and your ability to build relationships and close deals will be essential to your success.

See salaries and explore the career path for Sales Manager

Career Counselor

The SDR Professional Certificate at Salesforce is a great way to prepare for a role as a Career Counselor. Course 2 of this certificate, Foundations for Interviewing with Confidence, will teach you the skills you need to succeed in interviews and launch your career in career counseling. As a Career Counselor, you will be responsible for helping people find and develop their careers, and your ability to build relationships and close deals will be essential to your success.

See salaries and explore the career path for Career Counselor

Account Executive

The SDR Professional Certificate at Salesforce is a great way to prepare for a role as an Account Executive. Course 2 of this certificate, Foundations for Interviewing with Confidence, will teach you the skills you need to succeed in interviews and launch your tech sales career. As an Account Executive, you will be responsible for managing and growing relationships with existing customers, and your ability to build rapport and close deals will be essential to your success.

See salaries and explore the career path for Account Executive

Training and Development Manager

The SDR Professional Certificate at Salesforce is a helpful way to prepare for a role as a Training and Development Manager. Course 2 of this certificate, Foundations for Interviewing with Confidence, provides skills to build a personal brand and professional portfolio that will help you stand out from the competition. As a Training and Development Manager, you will be responsible for managing the training and development of employees, and your ability to build relationships and close deals will be essential to your success.

See salaries and explore the career path for Training and Development Manager

Product Manager

The SDR Professional Certificate at Salesforce is a helpful way to prepare for a role as a Product Manager. Course 2 of this certificate, Foundations for Interviewing with Confidence, provides skills to build a personal brand and professional portfolio that will help you stand out from the competition. As a Product Manager, you will be responsible for managing the development and launch of new products or services, and your ability to build relationships and close deals will be essential to your success.

See salaries and explore the career path for Product Manager

Business Development Manager

The SDR Professional Certificate at Salesforce is a helpful way to prepare for a role as a Business Development Manager. Course 2 of this certificate, Foundations for Interviewing with Confidence, provides skills to build a personal brand and professional portfolio that will help you stand out from the competition. As a Business Development Manager, you will be responsible for generating new business leads and developing new markets, and your ability to build relationships and close deals will be essential to your success.

See salaries and explore the career path for Business Development Manager

Customer Success Manager

The SDR Professional Certificate at Salesforce is a helpful way to prepare for a role as a Customer Success Manager. Course 2 of this certificate, Foundations for Interviewing with Confidence, provides skills to build a personal brand and professional portfolio that will help you stand out from the competition. As a Customer Success Manager, you will be responsible for managing the relationships with existing customers and ensuring their satisfaction, and your ability to build relationships and close deals will be essential to your success.

See salaries and explore the career path for Customer Success Manager

Project Manager

The SDR Professional Certificate at Salesforce may be helpful for a role as a Project Manager. Course 2 of this certificate, Foundations for Interviewing with Confidence, will teach you how to build your professional brand and communicate effectively with clients and team members. As a Project Manager, you will be responsible for planning and executing projects, and your ability to build relationships and close deals will be essential to your success.

See salaries and explore the career path for Project Manager

Marketing Manager

The SDR Professional Certificate at Salesforce may be helpful to prepare for a role as a Marketing Manager. Course 2 of this certificate, Foundations for Interviewing with Confidence, covers building your personal brand and speaking to your audience about the company you work for. As a Marketing Manager, you will be responsible for developing and executing marketing campaigns that promote your company's products or services, and your ability to build relationships and close deals will be essential to your success.

See salaries and explore the career path for Marketing Manager

Operations Manager

The SDR Professional Certificate at Salesforce may be helpful to prepare for a role as an Operations Manager. Course 2 of this certificate, Foundations for Interviewing with Confidence, provides skills to build a personal brand and professional portfolio that will help you stand out from the competition. As an Operations Manager, you will be responsible for managing the day-to-day operations of a business, and your ability to build relationships and close deals will be essential to your success.

See salaries and explore the career path for Operations Manager

Nonprofit Executive Director

The SDR Professional Certificate at Salesforce may be helpful to prepare for a role as a Nonprofit Executive Director. Course 2 of this certificate, Foundations for Interviewing with Confidence, will teach you how to build your professional brand and communicate effectively with clients and team members. As a Nonprofit Executive Director, you will be responsible for managing the operations of a nonprofit organization, and your ability to build relationships and close deals will be essential to your success.

See salaries and explore the career path for Nonprofit Executive Director

Academic Advisor

The SDR Professional Certificate at Salesforce is a helpful way to prepare for a role as an Academic Advisor. Course 2 of this certificate, Foundations for Interviewing with Confidence, will teach you how to build your professional brand and communicate effectively with clients and team members. As an Academic Advisor, you will be responsible for advising students on their academic careers, and your ability to build relationships and close deals will be essential to your success.

See salaries and explore the career path for Academic Advisor

Diversity and Inclusion Manager

The SDR Professional Certificate at Salesforce may be helpful to prepare for a role as a Diversity and Inclusion Manager. Course 2 of this certificate, Foundations for Interviewing with Confidence, will teach you how to build your professional brand and communicate effectively with clients and team members. As a Diversity and Inclusion Manager, you will be responsible for managing the diversity and inclusion initiatives of a company, and your ability to build relationships and close deals will be essential to your success.

See salaries and explore the career path for Diversity and Inclusion Manager

Human Resources Manager

The SDR Professional Certificate at Salesforce may be helpful to prepare for a role as a Human Resources Manager. Course 2 of this certificate, Foundations for Interviewing with Confidence, will teach you how to build your professional brand and communicate effectively with clients and team members. As a Human Resources Manager, you will be responsible for managing the human resources department of a company, and your ability to build relationships and close deals will be essential to your success.

See salaries and explore the career path for Human Resources Manager