Starting out, you'll have no established client base. How do you plan to build and grow your network from zero?
RoleSales Representative
DifficultyEasy
TopicSales & Service
Asked at
Why This Is Asked
The independent contractor model means no guaranteed income; Sun Life wants to see if you have the entrepreneurial drive to proactively generate prospects, which is essential to survive the initial months and eventually thrive.
General Approach
Describe a multi-channel strategy: start with warm contacts, gradually move to referrals, and supplement with educational seminars or social media content. Show awareness that it requires consistent effort, not a one-time blast.
General Answer
Start with your warm market, family, friends, and former colleagues, being upfront that you're new to the role and building your client base. Ask every conversation, even ones that don't result in a sale, for referrals, since referrals are typically the main growth engine in the early months of a commission-based role. Supplement warm contacts with visibility activities that reach people outside your immediate circle, such as educational content on social media or participating in community events and seminars where available. Track every contact and follow-up in a simple system, even a basic spreadsheet, so no lead is lost due to disorganization. Set weekly activity targets for calls, meetings, and referral requests, since early production in this kind of role is largely a function of consistent activity rather than luck. Continue nurturing relationships even with people who don't buy right away, since sales cycles in this industry are often long and heavily referral-driven.
PH Interview Gotcha
Candidates sometimes say "Magpopost lang ako sa Facebook, marami na 'yan" (I'll just post on Facebook, that'll be plenty). In reality, a mix of online and offline efforts is needed. Instead, outline a structured plan: profiling your warm market, then expanding through referrals, community events, and educational content.
Sample STAR Answer▾
S
Situation
As a campus organization president, I once led a fundraising drive where I had to approach local businesses for sponsorship with no prior contacts.
T
Task
I needed to secure at least PHP 50,000 in sponsorships within three months to fund our medical mission, starting from zero names.
A
Action
I identified small businesses near our university that aligned with our cause, researched their owners, and crafted personalized sponsorship proposals. I visited each one, introduced myself and the project's impact, and followed up persistently without being pushy. I also asked satisfied sponsors for referrals and posted thank-you messages on social media that tagged them, which attracted more interest.
R
Result
We exceeded our goal by 20%, raising PHP 60,000, and three sponsors asked me to speak at their networking events. This taught me that cold outreach with genuine value and follow-through works even without an existing network.
Key Takeaway
Consistent, targeted outreach with a clear client benefit builds trust faster than relying on personal circles alone.
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