Top 15 Common Sales Interview Questions and Answers with Examples
Are you applying for a sales job? When you are about to face a sales job interview, you need to tailor your answers according to the position you are applying for. However, most sales interview questions generally begin with an introduction and end with expertise questions for sales interviews.
You need to keep in mind that the questions that interviewers will ask you for a sales interview are not flawless. There are reasons behind every question to ask in sales interview, and you need to try to mark all the boxes with the correct answer.
This article is meant to help candidates interviewing for sales rep jobs. Here, we will share the 15 most common sales interview questions and answers. All the questions mentioned for the sales interview are presented with examples to answer them.
Also read: Strengths and Weaknesses for Job Interviews
1. Tell me a bit about yourself.
This is a question that interviewers always ask candidates. The aim is to test your 7c’s of communication skills and train of thought and see how well you can sell yourself. As the interview is for a sales position, in addition to the basics like your educational and business background, you need to talk about your interest, skills, and achievement (if any) in sales.
2. What do you know about this company?
This question is asked to measure your information about the company. If you are interested in their business, a dedicated and professional candidate should always research the company and the position they are applying for before interviewing.
3. Why do you think you are the right candidate for this job?
This is the part where you really have to sell yourself and describe why you are a perfect fit for the role. You need to convince them that you are the best candidate by highlighting your self-management skills and achievements.
4. Can you tell me more about your sales experience?
Here, you can brag about your sales experience and the awards and achievements you’ve received at your previous company to earn brownie points. The interviewer doesn’t want to know what’s already written in Declaration in resume; He needs to hear from you to see if you are the right person with the right sales experience.
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5. Why did you choose a career in sales?
This is where the interviewer wants to see if you are in it for the long term. They don’t want to hire candidates who are in it just for money. Your story will reassure them that sales really interest you.
6. Sell me this pen.
This is where the real test comes in. You need to be convincing enough with your supporting answer with facts and figures, if possible.
For instance, let’s take the famous scene from Martin Scorsese’s The Wolf of Wall Street. Leonardo DiCaprio, who plays a convicted stockbroker, tries to show a group of inexperienced salesmen how sales work. He takes out his pen and tells the group, “Sell me this pen.” While many try to convince him to buy the pen, one of the guys takes the pen from DiCaprio’s hands, gives him a piece of paper, and asks him to write his name down.
7. Would you be willing to work overtime during nights and sometimes on weekends?
Interviewers often ask this question in Sales interview questions and answers to test your sense of ownership and responsibility. They need to know that they are hiring someone they can rely on in any crisis. If you want the job, you can let them know that you will rise to the occasion. If you’re looking for a healthy work-life balance, be honest.
8. Are you comfortable making cold calls?
Cold calls are those you make to sell products or services to someone. So, essentially, as a seller, you have to build them up from time to time. The reason the interviewer asks this question is to see if you are an outgoing person who will sell your products without shame or awkwardness.
9. What would you say are your strengths and weaknesses?
When interviewers ask these Sales interview questions and answers, they want to know whether your strengths, such as your skills, would be beneficial to the organization and also, check whether your weaknesses hinder your productivity or not. No. They are also checking your 7cs communication skills and train of thought.
10. What one achievement are you most proud of?
Interviewers ask this question because they want to see what kind of professional you are, whether career-driven, talented or success-oriented. If that’s not too much, mention all the achievements and awards you’ve received. If the list is long, choose 2 or 3 of the most outstanding achievements that relate to your sales experience.
11. Can you handle working under pressure?
You need to remember that when it comes to sales, there will be times when you have to work under pressure. So, you need to be prepared for it and give your answer accordingly.
12. What inspires/motivates you to come in for work every day and do your job well?
Here, the interviewers want to see consistency and whether you would be happy to play their role. Again, being in sales comes with a lot of pressure. So, they need to know that you will work long hours even when the work is tough.
13. Have you ever thought of starting your own business?
Interviewers ask this question because they want to know if you are a team player who will work long hours as an employee at a company. Even if you are planning to start your own business, do not indicate to them that you are planning or want to start your own business. Assure them that your skills are better suited to work as an employee in their company.
14. Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
Interviewers ask these questions to check your consistency, to see if you are a successful person and if you are the right candidate for the position you are applying for. When they ask this question, it’s usually not clear whether they mean long-term or short-term career goals. Now, you can just ask them, or you can answer both. Start with your short term goal and move to the long term. This will tell the recruiter that you are a goal-oriented and rational person.
15. What are your salary expectations?
This question is one where many candidates do not appear in the next interview process because they asked for too much while some are offered a salary less than what they deserve. The best way to answer this question is to ask them about their range for the position offered. Use PayScale and Glassdoor to find out the average market salary for the job role you are applying for.
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