Hi everyone!
I've been invited to a role play for an AE position at a Game-based learning platform for corporate training.
I'm quite nervous as it'll be my first time carrying out an AE role play (I have being involved in SDR role plays before).
The instructions are:
"You will be participating in a fictitious role play in which you will have to prepare a commercial presentation of OUR COMPANY based on solution selling format in order to identify the client's needs and try to close the sale and/or establish a future relationship with the customer.
You will play an Account Executive of OUR COMPANY. you have to conduct a meeting with a client. The name of the ficticius company will be presented when starting the role play. The SDR has closed the meeting and booked it in your agenda. The only information you have is:
-contact is in charge of training
-Pharmaceutical sector
-company with more than 10,000 employees
-interest: know more about OUR COMPANY"
Any suggestion on a good book/website/etc. I can read to prepare?
Thank you!!!
OOF. This screams bait to me, and not an actual opportunity. A lot of unethical companies use questions like this during interviews, or in this case an actual fake interview, to find new ways to pitch their products from outsiders FOR FREE.
I’d honestly be leery of anyone wanting you to do a pitch without interviewing you first, and qualifying you through your experience. Really don’t want to be a downer or anything, but this stinks to me.
Hi @docfuzion! Thanks for your answer. Yes, you’re right in the fact that this role play is for a non existent position at the time. But yes, the company is serious (in fact, an ex-coworker of mine works there). And yes, I already passed the first round with the HR manager. This role play is part of the second round of the process!
Well I’m glad it is real…however my advice still stands. If companies ask you to pitch their products as a part of a recorded interview (make sure of that too), they will steal your idea and not hire you. I know it sounds awful, but it’s happened to me before, and I know it’s still happening out there now.
There’s still red flags, be careful and best of luck 🙂
While it’s not a book/website recommendation, did the recruiter/hiring manager you’re speaking with offer to help you prep or offer a pre-call? If so, definitely take them up on it! If not, you should reach out to see if they’d be open to meeting with you for 15-30 min a few days before.
The goal here would be for them to answer questions you have and help make sure you’re approaching it the right way. Come to that meeting ready with a few key questions based on your own prep, and they’ll most likely provide you with answers and some helpful hints to succeed! It’s also a great way to show that you’re willing to ask questions, are coachable, and can take/apply feedback! The word will get back to the others involved in the hiring process 🙂
Awesome reply, @katies ! You’re so right, and I will definitely take your suggestion of reaching them out a few days before to clarify my questions. Again, thanks for it 🙂