15 Technical Sales Interview Questions (With Example Answers)
It's important to prepare for an interview in order to improve your chances of getting the job. Researching questions beforehand can help you give better answers during the interview. Most interviews will include questions about your personality, qualifications, experience and how well you would fit the job. In this article, we review examples of various technical sales interview questions and sample answers to some of the most common questions.
Common Technical Sales Interview Questions
- What does your ideal customer look like?
- Why do customers buy from you?
- How do you find new customers?
- How do you keep your current customers?
- How do you know if a product is selling well?
- What are some common objections that customers have?
- How do you overcome objections?
- What is your sales process?
- What are some closing techniques that you use?
- What is your experience with CRM software?
- How do you measure success in sales?
- What are some quotas or goals that you have met in the past?
- How do you stay motivated when working on a long sales cycle?
- What is your experience working with a sales team?
- What are some best practices that you follow in sales?
What does your ideal customer look like?
Some products or services are geared towards a certain type of customer. By understanding who the ideal customer is, the technical salesperson can more easily sell the product or service. Additionally, this question can help the interviewer understand if the technical salesperson has a good understanding of their target market.
Example: “My ideal customer is a large company that is looking for a new and innovative way to increase sales and improve customer satisfaction. They are willing to invest in new technology and are always looking for ways to improve their business.”
Why do customers buy from you?
The interviewer is asking this question to gauge the technical salesperson's understanding of their product and its value to potential customers. It is important for the technical salesperson to be able to articulate the features and benefits of their product in a way that resonates with potential customers' needs and wants. By understanding why customers buy from them, technical salespeople can more effectively sell their product.
Example: “There are many reasons why customers may choose to buy from a particular company or individual. Some of the most common reasons include:
-The customer feels that they can trust the company or individual
-The customer feels that they will get a good quality product or service
-The customer feels that the price is fair
-The customer has had a positive experience with the company or individual in the past”
How do you find new customers?
The interviewer is trying to gauge whether the technical salesperson has a good understanding of how to identify and attract new customers. This is important because the success of a technical salesperson is often reliant on their ability to bring in new business. If they cannot do this effectively, it will likely limit their success in the role.
Example: “There are a number of ways to find new customers, including:
1. Research your target market: Knowing who your ideal customer is and where they can be found is the first step in finding new customers. This can be done through online research, talking to people in your target market, or attending trade shows or industry events.
2. Use social media: Social media platforms like Twitter and LinkedIn are great places to find new customers. By following and engaging with potential customers on these platforms, you can get their attention and start building relationships.
3. Attend networking events: Networking events are a great way to meet potential new customers in person. Attend events that are relevant to your industry or target market, and make sure to introduce yourself and exchange business cards with as many people as possible.
4. Get referrals from current customers: One of the best ways to find new customers is through referrals from your current customers. Ask your satisfied customers if they know anyone who could benefit from your products or services, and offer incentives for them to make introductions.”
How do you keep your current customers?
Some potential reasons an interviewer might ask how a technical salesperson keeps their current customers are to gauge:
-How well the salesperson understands their customers' needs and how they change over time
-How well the salesperson is able to adapt their sales pitch and product offerings to meet those needs
-How strong the salesperson's relationships are with their customers
-How likely the salesperson is to be able to maintain and grow their customer base
It is important for a technical salesperson to be able to keep their current customers because:
-It is generally easier and less expensive to sell to existing customers than to find new ones
-Happy customers can provide valuable word-of-mouth marketing
-Customers who have been with a company for a long time can provide valuable insights into trends and changes in the industry
Example: “There are a few key ways to keep your current customers:
1. Build strong relationships - get to know your customers and their business inside and out. Be a trusted advisor that they can rely on.
2. Deliver exceptional service - always go above and beyond to meet or exceed their expectations.
3. Stay in touch - keep them updated on new products, services, or developments that may be of interest to them. Regular communication will help keep you top of mind.
4. Offer value-added services - look for ways to add value to your existing products or services. This could be something like providing additional training or support, offering discounts, or adding new features or functionality.”
How do you know if a product is selling well?
There could be a number of reasons why an interviewer would ask this question to a technical salesperson. It could be to gauge the salesperson's understanding of the market, their ability to read data, or their ability to spot trends. Additionally, this question could be asked to see if the salesperson is able to identify potential problems with a product's sales. Ultimately, it is important for a technical salesperson to be able to understand and analyze data in order to make recommendations to their clients.
Example: “There are a few key indicators that can help you determine whether or not a product is selling well. First, you can look at the sales figures for the product. This will give you a good idea of how many units of the product have been sold over a certain period of time. You can also look at customer feedback to see what people are saying about the product. If people are generally positive about the product, then it is likely selling well. Finally, you can look at the inventory levels of the product. If a product is selling well, then the inventory levels will be low because demand is high.”
What are some common objections that customers have?
There are a few reasons why an interviewer might ask this question. First, they want to see if the candidate is knowledgeable about the product or service they are selling. Second, they want to see if the candidate is prepared to handle objections from customers. Finally, they want to see if the candidate has a strategy for overcoming objections.
Objections from customers can be common, so it is important for a technical salesperson to be prepared to handle them. By asking this question, the interviewer is trying to gauge the candidate's level of preparation and see if they have a strategy for overcoming objections.
Example: “Some common objections that customers have are:
1. They don't need the product.
2. They don't have the money.
3. They don't understand how the product works.
4. They don't think the product is worth the price.
5. They're not sure if the product will work for them.”
How do you overcome objections?
An interviewer would ask "How do you overcome objections?" to a technical salesperson to get a sense of their ability to sell a product or service. It is important because overcoming objections is a key skill in sales. If a salesperson cannot overcome objections, they will not be successful in selling.
Example: “There are a few ways to overcome objections:
1. By asking questions: Asking questions is a great way to overcome objections because it allows you to understand the objection better and figure out how to address it.
2. By empathizing: Empathizing with the customer shows that you understand their concerns and are trying to help them.
3. By providing solutions: Providing solutions to the customer's problems shows that you are knowledgeable and can be trusted.”
What is your sales process?
The interviewer is trying to gauge the technical salesperson's understanding of the sales process and their ability to articulate it. It is important for the interviewer to understand the salesperson's sales process because it will give them insight into how the salesperson goes about their work and whether they are likely to be successful in selling the company's products or services.
Example: “The first step in my sales process is to qualify the lead. I do this by asking them questions about their budget, timeline, and specific needs. If they are a good fit, I move on to the next step which is to give them a proposal. In the proposal, I outline what services I can provide and how much it will cost. If they accept the proposal, I move on to the next step which is to close the sale.”
What are some closing techniques that you use?
There are a few reasons why an interviewer might ask this question. First, they want to know if you are knowledgeable about the sales process and understand the importance of closing techniques. Second, they want to see if you are able to adapt your sales style to different situations. Finally, they want to know if you are able to use persuasive techniques to close a sale. All of these factors are important in the technical sales field.
Example: “There are a few closing techniques that I use, depending on the situation.
If I'm trying to close a deal that's been dragging on for a while, I might use the "takeaway" technique. This involves telling the prospect that I'm not sure if we can continue working together, and that I may need to take my business elsewhere. This usually gets their attention and motivates them to make a decision.
Another technique I might use is called "the assumptive close." This is where you assume that the prospect is going to buy your product or service, and you move forward as if they've already made the decision. For example, you might say something like, "When would you like me to deliver your order?" This technique can be effective in situations where the prospect is leaning towards buying, but hasn't quite made up their mind yet.
Finally, I might use what's known as the "trial close." This is where you offer the prospect a trial or sample of your product or service. This allows them to experience firsthand what you have to offer, and usually results in a sale.”
What is your experience with CRM software?
There are a few reasons why an interviewer might ask a technical salesperson about their experience with CRM software. Firstly, it could be that the company uses CRM software and they want to know if the salesperson is familiar with it. Secondly, it could be that the interviewer is trying to gauge the salesperson's level of technical expertise. Finally, it could be that the interviewer is trying to assess the salesperson's ability to learn new software applications quickly.
CRM software is important because it helps salespeople keep track of their customers and their interactions with them. It can also help salespeople manage their sales pipeline and identify opportunities.
Example: “I have worked with CRM software for over 5 years now. I have experience with a few different CRM software programs, including Salesforce, Zoho, and HubSpot. I am familiar with the features and functionality of each of these programs, and I am able to customize each one to fit the specific needs of my clients. I am also familiar with the integration process for each of these programs, so I can ensure that data is transferred seamlessly between the CRM and other business systems.”
How do you measure success in sales?
The interviewer is trying to gauge the technical salesperson's understanding of what it takes to be successful in sales. It is important for the technical salesperson to be able to articulate how they measure success, as this will give the interviewer insight into their thought process and whether or not they are a good fit for the position.
Example: “There are a few key metrics that I always keep an eye on when gauging my success in sales. The first is my conversion rate, or the percentage of leads that I successfully turn into paying customers. Another important metric is my customer satisfaction score, which measures how happy my customers are with my products or services. Finally, I also keep track of my average order value and lifetime value per customer, which tells me how much each customer is worth to my business over time.”
What are some quotas or goals that you have met in the past?
The interviewer is trying to gauge the technical salesperson's level of success in meeting quotas and goals. This is important because it helps the interviewer understand whether the technical salesperson is likely to be successful in meeting the quotas and goals of the position they are interviewing for.
Example: “In the past, I have met and exceeded quotas for new product sales, customer acquisition, and revenue growth. I have also successfully launched new products and initiatives, and built strong relationships with customers and partners.”
How do you stay motivated when working on a long sales cycle?
The interviewer is trying to gauge whether the technical salesperson is able to maintain focus and motivation when working on a long sales cycle. This is important because a technical salesperson who can't stay motivated on a long sales cycle is likely to give up or become frustrated, which could lead to them leaving the company or not performing as well.
Example: “There are a few things that I do to stay motivated when working on a long sales cycle. First, I make sure that I have a clear understanding of the goal that I am trying to achieve. Second, I break the goal down into smaller, more manageable pieces so that I can see my progress along the way. Finally, I set regular check-ins with my manager or supervisor to ensure that I am on track and to get feedback on my performance.”
What is your experience working with a sales team?
The interviewer is trying to gauge the technical salesperson's experience working with a sales team in order to determine how they would fit into the company's sales team. It is important for the interviewer to know if the technical salesperson has experience working with a sales team because they will need to know how to work together in order to sell the company's products or services.
Example: “I have worked with sales teams in the past and have found that teamwork is essential for success. I have also found that effective communication, both within the team and with customers, is key to success. I am confident that I can contribute to the success of a sales team by providing strong leadership and direction, as well as maintaining positive relationships with customers.”
What are some best practices that you follow in sales?
Some best practices that a technical salesperson might follow include staying up to date on the latest technology, being able to effectively communicate with potential customers, and having a strong understanding of the products they are selling. It is important for a technical salesperson to be familiar with best practices because they need to be able to sell the products they are representing in the most effective way possible. By following best practices, a technical salesperson can increase their chances of making a successful sale.
Example: “Some best practices that I follow in sales are:
1. Always be prepared: Before meeting with a potential customer, make sure you have done your research and are familiar with their needs and pain points. This will help you tailor your sales pitch and increase your chances of closing the deal.
2. Build rapport: Take the time to get to know your potential customer and build rapport before trying to sell them anything. This will make them more likely to trust you and do business with you.
3. Be knowledgeable: In order to be successful in sales, you need to be knowledgeable about your product or service and be able to answer any questions that the customer may have.
4. Be persuasive: You need to be able to convince the customer that your product or service is the best solution for their needs. This requires being able to effectively communicate its benefits and value proposition.
5. Overcome objections: objections are a normal part of the sales process, so you need to be prepared to handle them in a professional manner. This means having solid arguments and rebuttals ready for common objections such as price, features, etc.”