Req 6a — Interview a Sales Professional
This page follows an inherited-action pattern. The parent requirement tells you to interview a salesperson, and the numbered parts show what you should learn from that conversation. The goal is not to rush through the questions. The goal is to understand how a real person thinks about the work.
Before the interview
Choose someone who really sells for part of their job or all of it. That could be someone in retail, insurance, real estate, fundraising, wholesale supply, technology, or another field your counselor approves.
Send your request politely. Say who you are, which merit badge you are working on, how long the interview should take, and whether you can meet in person, by phone, or by video.
Requirement 6a1
Why ask about motivation?
This question helps you learn whether the person chose sales because of income, independence, competition, communication, relationship-building, product interest, or another reason. It shows that sales is not one single kind of career story.
What to listen for
Listen for turning points. Did they discover they liked talking with people? Did they start in another job and move into sales? Did they care strongly about the product they were selling?
Requirement 6a2
What this question reveals
This is where you will often hear the best practical advice. Experienced salespeople may mention listening, honesty, patience, preparation, empathy, or confidence. Compare what they say to what you learned in Req 1 and Req 4.
Good follow-up questions
You might ask:
- “What mistakes do beginners make most often?”
- “How do you recover when a conversation goes badly?”
- “How do you know when to stop talking and listen?”
Requirement 6a3
Why process matters
This question shows you the real sales process. Does the person sell face-to-face, online, by phone, or through repeat customers? Is it a quick sale or a long one with multiple meetings? Do they demonstrate the product? Send quotes? Follow up by email?
Understanding the process helps you see the difference between simple and complex sales.
Requirement 6a4
Ask questions that show curiosity
Your own questions are your chance to learn something personal and specific, not just complete the checklist. Strong custom questions might include:
- What skills matter most in your job?
- What part of sales is hardest?
- How do you handle rejection?
- What does a successful day look like?
- What should a teenager practice now if they may want to work in sales later?
Interview habits that help
These make you sound prepared and respectful
- Ask one question at a time so the interviewee can answer clearly.
- Take notes instead of trusting your memory.
- Use follow-up questions when an answer gets interesting.
- Thank the person afterward for their time and advice.
Pulling the interview together
When you share this with your counselor, do more than list answers. Point out what surprised you, what matched the badge, and what changed your view of sales.
If you want to compare the seller’s point of view with the buyer’s point of view, the next page shows how a store owner may judge sales representatives very differently.