Interviewing for a Sales Position? Be Prepared to Answer These Questions

Sales positions are competitive, which is why you need to be armed with potential interview questions before you even walk into the door of a potential employer's office. Even with years of experience, sales numbers to back up your skills and a winning personality, you can reduce your chances of getting hired if you are not fully prepared for a sales interview. Prepare by knowing what to expect and rehearsing responses to these common questions.

"What Is Your Sales Style?"

Hiring managers ask these types of interview questions during a interview to determine if your strategies and tactics match their mission and goals. Prepare by analyzing how you approach each new lead to offer specific examples to provide to potential employers. Research the company's philosophy surrounding sales, and pinpoint how your style matches what they are seeking in a new professional representing the business.

"How Do You Find Leads?"

These types of interview questions are two-fold. The potential employer is searching for new ways to obtain potential customers but also inquiring about your motivation. Avoid using generic terms or phrases, and, instead, offer concrete examples of how you acquired leads in past sales positions. Go one step further by detailing how you closed the sales and met sales quotas to boost the bottom line.

"What Formal Training Do You Possess?"

If you are lacking vast experience in the sales industry, these types of interview questions do not have to derail the interview. Talk about courses you have taken in sales, and detail projects you excelled at while in school. If you do not have a formal education to discuss, highlight workshops you have taken or seminars and conventions attended within the industry. Put the spotlight on your success, deadlines met and sales numbers in past positions to deter from training you may be lacking.

"What Do You Know About Our Products and Services?"

In order to nab a new sales position, you need to be able to thoroughly answer these types of interview questions. Spend ample time prior to the sales interview researching the company's services and products so you are able to sell them to the hiring manager to display your skills. Consider this type of question a test, and treat the hiring manager like a potential client by detailing both the selling points and primary features of different products and services to display your knowledge.

Preparation is crucial when getting ready for any type of position; however, when interviewing for a sales job, it is important to display your sales style when answering interview questions. Tap into your personality, your personable nature and your professionalism to show the potential employer that you are the ideal candidate for the job.

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