Recently, we had Techtronic Industries (TTi) visit Career and Internship Services. I talked to Hailey Franklin about the company and what they look for in job fairs and interviews. Hailey had a major in Management Information Systems and a minor in Communication. She graduated from the UMD Labovitz School of Business and Economics in the spring of 2019. She also has a variety of marketing experiences. Since graduation, Hailey has been working for TTi as a Territory Manager and a Field Sales Rep.
ABOUT THE COMPANY At this point, you might be wondering who TTi is and what they do. TTi is an electronic tool distributor company. They primarily distribute through Home Depot, owning brands such as Milwaukee Electric Tool, Hoover, and Dirt Devil. TTi recently partnered with Walmart to launch a new brand. TTi plans to hire 700 December and May graduates, as well as 150 interns. Hailey shared that any area of study can apply for roles with the company. A few main areas include sales, management, marketing, product management, and supply chain.
Hailey says that the best way to make an elevator pitch is to keep it short and sweet. “Make sure it goes full circle,” she advised. What can you bring to the company, what are you looking for, and do you have any questions for the recruiter? That’s pretty much all she wants to hear in your elevator pitch. An easy tip she had was to read the company bio over in Handshake.
RESUMES: Hailey said that she thinks some of the best resumes are the ones that have numbers in the experience section. Also, make sure you go into detail about your experiences and show how the skills you gained from them will help you in the job you’re applying for. Hailey said it best: “Your resume should have everything that makes you stand out and show off your wins.” In an interview, you should be able to go into detail about every line on your resume.
INTERVIEW TIPS “Confidence is key, if you do not have confidence, any interviewer is going to see it. ” Hailey shared when asked her top interview tip. She went on to expand upon this further, stating “Have high energy. High energy and positive energy individuals will almost always get a second-round interview. Make sure you keep your attention on what you’re doing right now to move up. Highlight your areas of opportunity. Hailey advises interviewees use the STAR method when answering questions.
S – Situation: Explain the experience and your role in it. T: Task: Describe what you were trying to do. A: Action: Describe what you did and why. What key skills or competencies did you use? R: Result: Talk about the outcome of your actions, and if possible, use numbers.
She added that at TTi they use STAR-LA. Here is what the additional letters stand for.
L – Learned: Explain what you learned from the experience. A – Apply: Describe how you will apply these results and learning in the future.
We learned a lot sitting down and talking with Hailey. We hope you did as well! Take this opportunity to learn from a recruiter’s perspective.
Want to land a coveted sales or marketing role at power tool giant Techtronic Industries (TTI)? Competition is fierce for these spots due to TTI’s reputation for innovation, growth, and strong company culture.
With the right interview preparation you can stand out from other applicants. In this article we’ll cover the key sales and marketing interview questions asked at TTI and provide tips to nail your responses. Read on to learn what it takes to launch your career with this dynamic industry leader.
Overview of Techtronic Industries
First let’s briefly introduce TTI. As a context for the types of questions asked it’s helpful to understand the company’s business.
TTI is a leading manufacturer of power tools, floorcare appliances and outdoor power equipment. Headquartered in Hong Kong, TTI hasgrown into a global enterprise with over $7 billion in annual revenue.
Some of TTI’s most recognized tool brands include Milwaukee, Ryobi, and Hoover. The company focuses heavily on cordless tool technology and innovative product development.
In sales and marketing, TTI looks for driven candidates with a passion for their products and end users. The interview aims to assess your potential fit.
Now let’s dive into the key interview questions and how to make a winning impression.
Sales Interview Questions
For sales roles, you can expect behavioral questions about your qualifications along with situational scenarios.
Common TTI sales interview questions include:
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“Tell me about your sales experience.”
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“What makes you a successful salesperson?”
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“How do you go about prospecting new clients?”
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“How would you sell Milwaukee tools to a home contractor vs. Ryobi tools to a homeowner?”
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“You are unable to close a deal. What do you do next?”
Discussing Your Sales Experience
When describing your sales background, be sure to cover:
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Responsibilities – What types of products did you sell? Who were your target clients?
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Achievements – Did you consistently meet quotas or outperform? State specifics.
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Skills – Emphasize relationship-building, presentations, closing skills.
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Challenges – Share a difficult sales scenario and how you overcame obstacles.
Sample Response
Interviewer: “Tell me about your responsibilities as a Sales Representative at Acme Tools.”
“As a Sales Rep at Acme, I was responsible for generating new business and managing existing accounts for our power tool and hand tool products. My territory spanned construction contractors across the Southern U.S.
I consistently exceeded my $10M annual sales quota by 15-20% through prospecting at trade shows and nurturing client relationships. For example, I expanded our largest contractor account by 40% last year by cross-selling our new cordless framing nailer.
Key strengths I leveraged includednegotiation, consultative selling skills, and technical knowledge to showcase our product advantages. I also improved my territory market share by cold calling 20 new prospects each week.”
Tips
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Quantify your achievements with growth and performance metrics.
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Demonstrate your understanding of TTI’s products and users.
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Emphasize talents like work ethic, relationship-building and communication.
Situational Questions
For scenario questions, the interviewer wants to understand your selling approach across client types. Develop structured responses using the STAR method:
Situation – Briefly summarize the scenario
Task – Define the objective/challenge
Action – Describe your approach to resolve the issue
Result – Share the outcome of your actions
Sample Response
Interviewer: “How would you sell Milwaukee tools to a home contractor vs. Ryobi tools to a homeowner?”
Situation: We offer both pro-grade Milwaukee tools and consumer Ryobi tools
Task: Sell each brand appropriately to contractors vs. homeowners
Action: With contractors, I would showcase Milwaukee’s durability, performance and pro features. I’d arrange jobsite demos and trials to prove quality firsthand. With homeowners, I’d position Ryobi as reliable and budget-friendly, perfect for small DIY projects and repairs around the house. I’d demonstrate ease of use and accessories available.
Result: This customizable, user-focused approach enables me to best match each client’s needs with the right TTI products and features.
Tips
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Ask clarifying questions to fully understand the scenario
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Tailor your sales messaging and tactics to the customer
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Focus on the value proposition you would highlight for each
With thoughtful responses drawing on your sales experience, you can stand out in TTI’s behavioral interview. Next let’s review key questions for marketing roles.
Marketing Interview Questions
Marketing interviews also blend resume experience screening with situational and behavioral questions. Be prepared to discuss your brand management background.
Common TTI marketing interview questions:
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“What marketing campaigns have you executed?”
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“How would you promote a new product launch?”
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“Describe your approach to developing a marketing strategy.”
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“How do you incorporate social media into a marketing plan?”
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“What key metrics would you track to measure marketing effectiveness?”
Discussing Your Marketing Experience
As with sales, be sure to cover:
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Responsibilities – What types of marketing did you manage? Which segments/channels?
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Campaign examples – Share 1-2 successful campaigns and results
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Skills – Emphasize digital marketing, positioning, and analytical abilities
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Challenges – Did any campaigns underperform? Discuss learnings.
Sample Response
Interviewer: “What marketing campaigns have you executed?”
“As a Marketing Manager at Stanley Tools, I led promotional campaigns across digital, social media, trade shows and email. For example, I managed a product launch campaign for our new laser level product. I first worked with engineers to position the key differentiators and value proposition compared to competitor tools.
Next, I developed video demos and promoted them through targeted social media ads to drive awareness with contractors. At our annual national trade show, I coordinated show discounts and on-site demonstrations at our booth, leading to a 56% increase in leads year-over-year.
Within the first year, we exceeded our sales goal for the laser level by 35%. Key strengths I leveraged included positioning, channel strategy and CRM systems to nurture leads.”
Tips
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Focus on campaigns relevant to TTI’s products and users
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Quantify campaign outcomes and goals achieved
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Demonstrate strategic thinking and technical marketing skills
Situational Questions
You’ll also encounter hypothetical scenarios to showcase your marketing instincts. Use the STAR method to structure your response.
Sample Response
Interviewer: “How would you promote a new cordless power tool launch?”
Situation: We are launching a new disruptive cordless tool
Task: Build awareness and trial of the new tool among contractors
Action: I would begin social media and digital ads showcasing the patented technology and key features contractors care about, like extended battery life. I’d offer exclusive pre-order discounts to our existing high-value customers to get early feedback. At industry trade shows, I’d arrange live demo stations and promotions to generate buzz and leads. I’d equip our sales team with the product to get reviews and demos with top accounts.
Result: This targeted, multi-channel campaign would enable us to capitalize on exclusivity and word-of-mouth as a new innovative industry product.
Tips
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Outline a campaign tailored to the specific product and target segment
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Incorporate promotions, digital content, field/events tactics
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Convey your strategic approach and creativity
With these techniques, you will be well prepared for both sales and marketing interviews at TTI. Research the company, practice highlighting your relevant experience, and rehearse responses to likely scenarios. By doing so, you will stand out as a top candidate. Best of luck with your Techtronic Industries interview!
A career blog from your peers
By: Amanda
Recently, we had Techtronic Industries (TTi) visit Career and Internship Services. I sat down with Hailey Franklin to learn more about the company, as well as what they look for in interviews and at job fairs. Hailey graduated from the Labovitz School of Business and Economics at UMD in the spring of 2019 with a major in Management Information Systems and a minor in Communication. She also has a variety of marketing experiences. Since graduation, Hailey has been working for TTi as a Territory Manager and a Field Sales Rep.
ABOUT THE COMPANY At this point, you might be wondering who TTi is and what they do. TTi is an electronic tool distributor company. They primarily distribute through Home Depot, owning brands such as Milwaukee Electric Tool, Hoover, and Dirt Devil. TTi recently partnered with Walmart to launch a new brand. TTi plans to hire 700 December and May graduates, as well as 150 interns. Hailey shared that any area of study can apply for roles with the company. A few main areas include sales, management, marketing, product management, and supply chain.
Hailey says that the best way to make an elevator pitch is to keep it short and sweet. “Make sure it goes full circle,” she advised. What can you bring to the company, what are you looking for, and do you have any questions for the recruiter? That’s pretty much all she wants to hear in your elevator pitch. An easy tip she had was to read the company bio over in Handshake.
RESUMES: Hailey said that she thinks some of the best resumes are the ones that have numbers in the experience section. Also, make sure you go into detail about your experiences and show how the skills you gained from them will help you in the job you’re applying for. Hailey said it best: “Your resume should have everything that makes you stand out and show off your wins.” In an interview, you should be able to go into detail about every line on your resume.
INTERVIEW TIPS “Confidence is key, if you do not have confidence, any interviewer is going to see it. ” Hailey shared when asked her top interview tip. She went on to expand upon this further, stating “Have high energy. High energy and positive energy individuals will almost always get a second-round interview. Make sure you keep your attention on what you’re doing right now to move up. Highlight your areas of opportunity. Hailey advises interviewees use the STAR method when answering questions.
S – Situation: Explain the experience and your role in it. T: Task: Describe what you were trying to do. A: Action: Describe what you did and why. What key skills or competencies did you use? R: Result: Talk about the outcome of your actions, and if possible, use numbers.
She added that at TTi they use STAR-LA. Here is what the additional letters stand for.
L – Learned: Explain what you learned from the experience. A – Apply: Describe how you will apply these results and learning in the future.
We learned a lot sitting down and talking with Hailey. We hope you did as well! Take this opportunity to learn from a recruiter’s perspective.
Photo sources: Unsplash|Andrej Lisakov; UMD Career & Internship Services
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FAQ
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