What are the top questions you've received when preparing for sales interviews? What are the most common ones versus one-off asks?
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What are the Top Sales Interview Questions you've heard?
What are the top questions you've received when preparing for sales interviews? What are the most common ones versus one-off asks?
A question I really to ask, would you prefer to close a guaranteed $20k deal, or a shot at a potential $120k deal. The answer to the question is not that important, it’s the questions they ask to determine how to answer the question. I am not looking for a $20k or $120k answer, what I am looking for is;
– how close am I to meeting my personal target for the period and what is the value I am short?
– how close is the team to meeting their target for the period and what is the value we are short?
I am looking for
– how does the rep analyse the situation
– are they a lone wolf or would they also consider the team
– risk profile
Best.
That is such a good question! What answer makes you want to hire them more?
Hi @katie_ray, firstly, I would want the QBSR to determine their achievement, and then to make a decision based on that information. If $20k will help the team achieve >90% of target, then then $20k. If not, then the $120k opportunity.
That’s a really great question with overall approach, thanks for sharing @charlestidswell
A question that I always like to ask when it comes to sales interviews is, “What’s your proudest accomplishment?” I asked that to see what the person is passionate about and it has been great in identifying if someone is moldable or not.
Hope this helps!
That’s a good one! Is that for someone whose sold before, or are you wanting to see if they have done research on your product?
I typically do it for someone who has sold before, but now that you mention it, that would be a great question to flip and state, “Do you know what our company is passionate about?” That would show if they did research on the business.
So thankful for you @katie_ray!
This is great @jlatchaw85 – I like both approaches in asking this questions to experienced sales folks as well as to new ones – solid way to gauge interest and general knowledge.
The craziest, most irrelevant questions I had ever been asked was:
1. What kitchen item would I be and why?
2. What ocean animal are you most like and why?
Those were really difficult questions because it’s not like something that you prepare for. Well, at least, not then. Now I want what kitchen utensil and ocean animal I am 😂😂
Some of the best interview questions I have gotten are when my manager was wanting to know about what motivated me. In sales, people are surprised when your total motivation isn’t just the money, but when you can actually share it and the manager respects your response- game changer!
Those first two are really unique questions @katie_ray – thanks for sharing that with us all!
And I really like that last aspect about highlighting what motivates you – it’s a great way to tie in your short and long term aspirations!