- Tue Dec 02, 2025 2:55 am#9921
PREPARATION GUIDE FOR THE MARKETING & SALES POSITION (TRADING / EXPORT‑IMPORT)
1. UNDERSTAND THE CORE REQUIREMENTS
• Education: Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) in Marketing or a related Marketing degree.
• Experience: Minimum 2 years in trading, export/import, or marketing & sales.
• Age: 25‑35 years.
• Industry knowledge: Shoes, bags, leather goods, garments, toys, and related factory machinery.
• Skills: Strong communication, customer relationship management, market research, sales reporting, and lead tracking.
2. CLOSE THE KNOWLEDGE GAPS
a) PRODUCT FAMILIES
– Study the product life‑cycle of shoes, bags, leather articles, garments and toys.
– Learn the main types of machinery used in these factories (cutting, stitching, molding, finishing, etc.).
– Familiarize yourself with common raw materials, quality standards, and certification requirements for each category.
b) TRADING & EXPORT‑IMPORT BASICS
– Review Incoterms (EXW, FOB, CIF, DDP, etc.) and how they affect pricing and logistics.
– Understand documentation: commercial invoice, packing list, certificate of origin, bill of lading, customs declaration, and export licences.
– Know the main trade regulations for the key markets (e.g., EU REACH for leather, US CPSIA for toys).
c) MARKETING & SALES TECHNIQUES
– Refresh concepts of B2B sales cycles, consultative selling, and value‑based pricing.
– Practice writing sales proposals and quotations that incorporate freight, duties, and margin calculations.
– Learn how to use CRM tools for lead tracking and customer issue management (e.g., Salesforce, HubSpot, Zoho).
3. BUILD A RELEVANT PORTFOLIO
• Create a one‑page “sales achievement sheet” that lists every target you met or exceeded, the percentage growth, and the key strategies you used.
• Prepare case studies that demonstrate:
– How you identified a new market segment and secured the first order.
– A situation where you turned a dissatisfied client into a repeat buyer.
– Any experience coordinating with production or logistics to meet customer specifications.
4. DEVELOP COMMUNICATION & NEGOTIATION ABILITIES
– Role‑play sales calls and video‑conference meetings with a friend or mentor. Focus on clear product explanations, objection handling, and closing techniques.
– Record yourself and review tone, pace, and confidence.
– Practice writing concise e‑mails for quotations, follow‑ups, and thank‑you notes.
5. MASTER THE TOOLS REQUIRED FOR THE ROLE
• Excel: Pivot tables, V‑lookups, basic macros for sales reporting.
• PowerPoint: Create client presentations that highlight product benefits and market data.
• CRM: At least one platform (demo version is fine) – learn how to enter leads, update stages, and generate activity reports.
6. PREPARE DOCUMENTS FOR APPLICATION
– Updated CV that highlights: BBA in Marketing, 2+ years trading/export‑import experience, proven sales targets, and product‑industry knowledge.
– Cover letter tailored to the company: mention specific interest in shoes, bags, leather, garments or toys, and how your background will help achieve monthly/annual sales goals.
– Copies of relevant certifications (e.g., International Trade, Export Management, CRM trainings).
7. REHEARSE COMMON INTERVIEW QUESTIONS
a) “Tell us about a time you achieved or surpassed a sales target.”
b) “How do you identify and qualify new prospects in a competitive market?”
c) “Explain the steps you take to ensure customer satisfaction after the sale.”
d) “What is your understanding of the key challenges in exporting leather goods to the EU?”
e) “Describe how you use market research to fill gaps in product offering.”
Prepare STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) stories for each.
8. CONDUCT MARKET RESEARCH ON THE EMPLOYER
• Review the company’s product catalog, recent press releases, and client list (if available).
• Identify at least three potential new markets or buyer segments for their shoe/ bag/ leather/ garment/ toy lines.
• Draft a short “value‑add” note that you could share during the interview, showing you have already thought about growth opportunities.
9. PLAN FOR THE FIRST 90 DAYS (IF SELECTED)
– Week 1‑2: Complete onboarding, learn internal CRM, meet key internal stakeholders (production, logistics, finance).
– Week 3‑4: Review existing client portfolio, map out upcoming renewal dates, and schedule introductory calls.
– Month 2: Conduct a market‑gap analysis for one product line, present findings to the sales manager, and propose 2‑3 pilot outreach campaigns.
– Month 3: Aim to secure at least one new order from a prospect identified in the analysis and report on the process.
10. FINAL CHECKLIST BEFORE SUBMITTING APPLICATION
☐ CV and cover letter free of spelling/grammar errors.
☐ All required qualifications clearly highlighted (BBA, 2‑year experience, age range).
☐ Relevant achievements quantified (e.g., “Exceeded sales target by 25 % in FY2023”).
☐ Demonstrated knowledge of target industries and export procedures included.
☐ Contact references prepared (former managers who can speak to sales performance and client handling).
By following these steps you will be well‑equipped to meet the employer’s expectations, present yourself as a strong candidate, and hit the ground running in the Marketing & Sales role. Good luck!
1. UNDERSTAND THE CORE REQUIREMENTS
• Education: Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) in Marketing or a related Marketing degree.
• Experience: Minimum 2 years in trading, export/import, or marketing & sales.
• Age: 25‑35 years.
• Industry knowledge: Shoes, bags, leather goods, garments, toys, and related factory machinery.
• Skills: Strong communication, customer relationship management, market research, sales reporting, and lead tracking.
2. CLOSE THE KNOWLEDGE GAPS
a) PRODUCT FAMILIES
– Study the product life‑cycle of shoes, bags, leather articles, garments and toys.
– Learn the main types of machinery used in these factories (cutting, stitching, molding, finishing, etc.).
– Familiarize yourself with common raw materials, quality standards, and certification requirements for each category.
b) TRADING & EXPORT‑IMPORT BASICS
– Review Incoterms (EXW, FOB, CIF, DDP, etc.) and how they affect pricing and logistics.
– Understand documentation: commercial invoice, packing list, certificate of origin, bill of lading, customs declaration, and export licences.
– Know the main trade regulations for the key markets (e.g., EU REACH for leather, US CPSIA for toys).
c) MARKETING & SALES TECHNIQUES
– Refresh concepts of B2B sales cycles, consultative selling, and value‑based pricing.
– Practice writing sales proposals and quotations that incorporate freight, duties, and margin calculations.
– Learn how to use CRM tools for lead tracking and customer issue management (e.g., Salesforce, HubSpot, Zoho).
3. BUILD A RELEVANT PORTFOLIO
• Create a one‑page “sales achievement sheet” that lists every target you met or exceeded, the percentage growth, and the key strategies you used.
• Prepare case studies that demonstrate:
– How you identified a new market segment and secured the first order.
– A situation where you turned a dissatisfied client into a repeat buyer.
– Any experience coordinating with production or logistics to meet customer specifications.
4. DEVELOP COMMUNICATION & NEGOTIATION ABILITIES
– Role‑play sales calls and video‑conference meetings with a friend or mentor. Focus on clear product explanations, objection handling, and closing techniques.
– Record yourself and review tone, pace, and confidence.
– Practice writing concise e‑mails for quotations, follow‑ups, and thank‑you notes.
5. MASTER THE TOOLS REQUIRED FOR THE ROLE
• Excel: Pivot tables, V‑lookups, basic macros for sales reporting.
• PowerPoint: Create client presentations that highlight product benefits and market data.
• CRM: At least one platform (demo version is fine) – learn how to enter leads, update stages, and generate activity reports.
6. PREPARE DOCUMENTS FOR APPLICATION
– Updated CV that highlights: BBA in Marketing, 2+ years trading/export‑import experience, proven sales targets, and product‑industry knowledge.
– Cover letter tailored to the company: mention specific interest in shoes, bags, leather, garments or toys, and how your background will help achieve monthly/annual sales goals.
– Copies of relevant certifications (e.g., International Trade, Export Management, CRM trainings).
7. REHEARSE COMMON INTERVIEW QUESTIONS
a) “Tell us about a time you achieved or surpassed a sales target.”
b) “How do you identify and qualify new prospects in a competitive market?”
c) “Explain the steps you take to ensure customer satisfaction after the sale.”
d) “What is your understanding of the key challenges in exporting leather goods to the EU?”
e) “Describe how you use market research to fill gaps in product offering.”
Prepare STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) stories for each.
8. CONDUCT MARKET RESEARCH ON THE EMPLOYER
• Review the company’s product catalog, recent press releases, and client list (if available).
• Identify at least three potential new markets or buyer segments for their shoe/ bag/ leather/ garment/ toy lines.
• Draft a short “value‑add” note that you could share during the interview, showing you have already thought about growth opportunities.
9. PLAN FOR THE FIRST 90 DAYS (IF SELECTED)
– Week 1‑2: Complete onboarding, learn internal CRM, meet key internal stakeholders (production, logistics, finance).
– Week 3‑4: Review existing client portfolio, map out upcoming renewal dates, and schedule introductory calls.
– Month 2: Conduct a market‑gap analysis for one product line, present findings to the sales manager, and propose 2‑3 pilot outreach campaigns.
– Month 3: Aim to secure at least one new order from a prospect identified in the analysis and report on the process.
10. FINAL CHECKLIST BEFORE SUBMITTING APPLICATION
☐ CV and cover letter free of spelling/grammar errors.
☐ All required qualifications clearly highlighted (BBA, 2‑year experience, age range).
☐ Relevant achievements quantified (e.g., “Exceeded sales target by 25 % in FY2023”).
☐ Demonstrated knowledge of target industries and export procedures included.
☐ Contact references prepared (former managers who can speak to sales performance and client handling).
By following these steps you will be well‑equipped to meet the employer’s expectations, present yourself as a strong candidate, and hit the ground running in the Marketing & Sales role. Good luck!
