Interview Questions For Sales Executives

Introduction

An excellent sales management team is a must for any company looking to make profits in the market. The role of a sales manager is a crucial position that can make or break a company. Therefore, when interviewing for high-pressure jobs like sales management, the interviewer wants to assess the leadership style and other required skills needed to handle the position. A candidate must possess the right skills to be considered for the sales executive job. So, what are those right skills?

Forbes magazine reports that 55% of salespeople lack basic sales abilities. Fifty-eight percent of buyers say sales reps are unable to successfully address their questions. A recent analysis found that 84% of all sales training is lost after 90 days. This is primarily due to sales personnel’s inability to retain knowledge. In this article, our primary focus will be on the skills employers are looking for, and the reason behind the questions. There will be sample interview questions for sales executives and probable answers to them.

Sales Manager Interview Questions

Here are some general questions asked by employers to test your compatibility. Try to convey your management or sales expertise through your answers.

• Tell us something about yourself.
• How did you come to know about this position?
• Tell us about your educational background.
• Where do you plan to see yourself in five years?
• What is your biggest weakness, and how do you plan to improve it?
• What is your greatest achievement?
• What, in your company, interests you the most?
• Why do you want to leave your current position?
• Which part of your job satisfied you the most?
• Why should we hire you? 

Interview Questions Regarding Sales Experience

These questions are focused on your sales background and experience, which will give an insight into the way you will handle your position.

• Describe the way you sell.
• What do you like most about sales?
• What is the thing you dislike most about sales?
• How do you manage to hold a team and manage your schedule?
• What qualities are a must in a great sales manager?
• What is your greatest success in sales?
• What was the worst sales experience, and what did you take from the experience?
• What is your philosophy for ensuring a sale?
• How do you motivate your sales team?
• What kind of leadership do you think is effective for a sales team?

In-depth Questions for Sales Manager Interview

These specific questions will directly test if you are eligible for the Sales Manager role and how you will handle any difficult situation.

• Describe your experience of professional development.
• What is your experience with sales management?
• How will you handle different personalities on a sales team?
• How will a top performer of your team define you?
• How do you think you can turn a C player into an A player? 
• Are you skilled in data analysis, and how have you used it in Sales?
• What is an ideal rep coaching session?
• How will you detect your performance in six months?
• Have you failed to meet sales goals? If so, how did you handle it?
• How do you think our company works?
• What is your motivation?
• Why do you think this position is suitable for the sales manager position?
• Why is now the best time for you to become a manager? 
• Why should we choose you?

Sample Interview Questions on Sales Management

Here are some sales manager questions and answers you can encounter while attending sales manager interview questions. These questions and answers are helpful for your interview practice for most sales job roles and give you an insight into retail store manager interview questions and regional sales manager interview questions.

Why do you like Sales?

Employers often like to ask this specific question to identify your motivation for sales and leadership roles. Since a sales manager needs to provide motivation, you are required to answer this question enthusiastically and give examples of times you remained motivated.

Example: I love helping customers choose the right product and service that can solve their issues quickly. For me, solving problems is the best part of this job. I also enjoy teamwork and communicating with others. A team working toward a common goal and achieving it at the end of the day boosts my confidence. In my last sales job, we had to sell four more units of a product to break its previous selling record. We used to decide to go for a great lunch on the achievement of the goal. We were able to break all previous records by selling 8 units of the product. I enjoy figuring out the intriguing motivation that will keep my team excelling in sales.

When did you last fail to meet your sales goals, and how did you handle It?

This question focuses on your behavioral aspects in difficult situations. While answering, stress that one situation will show your leadership growth. 

Example: In my previous position, I needed to make a few sales to meet my sales quota. Even though I made as many phone calls as possible, I could sell the products or services. I was devastated and decided to talk through the matter with my supervisor. It really relieved me when she understood my position and helped me accept the same. We discussed the points when I could have lost potential buyers. We also devised a detailed plan on how I can progress in reaching my goals and update those goals to upgrade my vision. Her friendly, compassionate approach helped me to calm down and assess my vulnerabilities, and I hope to become as approachable as she was to boost team performance while accepting failures and learning from them.

Why do you want to be a Sales Manager?

Employees ask for an honest answer from you to convince them that you are the right fit for this position. Elaborate what you understand about the company and why they need you.

Example: I have read a lot about this company, and I love the uniqueness of your products. I look forward to working with you and want to manage your teams to guide them to make next-level sales. I was previously promoted as a team leader and got to choose the members, and I was able to create a team with balancing personalities and experiences. I am confident that I will be able to succeed as a sales manager and help your company reach new heights. 

Conclusion

Cracking any interview can be nerve-wracking; therefore, interview practice is a must. If you go through detailed research about the company, dress to make a good first impression, bring extra copies of your portfolio and answer confidently, you will be able to get your desired job.  

UNext Jigsaw has an Executive Program in Strategic Sales Management where you can study about the end-to-end sales lifecycle, digital sales methods, and much more. The benefits of enrolling in a Jigsaw Sales Management course include hands-on experience, alumni status, and IIM Indore accreditation.