17 Sales Representative 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 sales representative interview questions and sample answers to some of the most common questions.
Common Sales Representative Interview Questions
- What motivates you to sell?
- Why do you like selling?
- What do you see as the biggest challenge in selling?
- How do you overcome objections?
- What is your experience in sales?
- What industries are you familiar with?
- What do you see as your personal strengths and weaknesses in sales?
- What do you believe the three most important factors are in successful selling?
- How do you develop and maintain relationships with clients?
- What do you see as the most important thing to remember when making a sales presentation?
- How do you handle rejection?
- What do you see as a successful salesperson’s attitude?
- What do you feel is the best way to learn more about selling?
- What resources (books, websites, etc.) do you use to keep up with changes in your industry or field?
- How do you stay motivated when working on long-term projects?
- What do you do when you encounter a difficult situation or problem in sales?
- Have you ever had a situation where you were not able to close a sale? If so, how did you handle it?
What motivates you to sell?
There are a few reasons why an interviewer might ask this question. First, they want to know what drives the sales representative to sell. This can help the interviewer understand what type of personality the sales representative has and whether they will be a good fit for the company. Second, the interviewer wants to know what motivates the sales representative to sell in order to see if they are driven by money or by helping others. This is important because it can help the interviewer understand whether the sales representative is likely to stay with the company for the long term or if they are more likely to move on to another company that offers more money. Finally, the interviewer wants to know what motivates the sales representative to sell in order to see if they are likely to be successful in their role. This is important because the interviewer wants to hire someone who is likely to be successful in their role in order to increase the chances of the company making money.
Example: “What motivates me to sell is the challenge of finding new customers and convincing them to buy my product. I also enjoy the satisfaction of helping people find the right product for their needs.”
Why do you like selling?
Sales representatives are typically responsible for generating new leads and meeting sales quotas. In order to do this effectively, they must be able to identify potential customers, build relationships, and close deals.
Asking a sales representative why they enjoy selling helps the interviewer understand their motivation and whether or not they are likely to be successful in the role. It also allows the interviewer to gauge the sales representative's level of enthusiasm and commitment to the job. If the sales representative is not passionate about selling, it is unlikely that they will be successful in the role.
Example: “I enjoy selling because it allows me to be creative and to interact with people. It is also a very challenging and rewarding profession. I like the fact that in sales, you are constantly learning and growing as a person. Additionally, I believe that selling is a great way to help people, whether it be through providing them with a product or service that they need, or simply by providing them with information.”
What do you see as the biggest challenge in selling?
The interviewer is trying to gauge the Sales Representative's understanding of the sales process and their ability to identify potential challenges. This is important because it allows the interviewer to get a sense of whether the Sales Representative is able to identify areas where they may need to improve or adapt their sales approach. Additionally, this question can give the interviewer insight into the Sales Representative's problem-solving skills and their ability to think on their feet.
Example: “The biggest challenge in selling is finding potential customers and then convincing them to buy what you're selling. This can be difficult because you need to stand out from the competition and show that your product or service is worth their investment. Once you've found a potential customer, you need to build a relationship of trust and establish yourself as an expert in your field in order to convince them to make a purchase.”
How do you overcome objections?
Sales representatives are typically tasked with overcoming objections in order to make a sale. This question is designed to gauge a sales representative's ability to do just that. It is important for a sales representative to be able to overcome objections because it can mean the difference between making a sale and losing a customer.
Example: “There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question, as the best way to overcome objections will vary depending on the specific objection and the situation. However, some tips on how to overcome objections include:
- Asking questions to understand the objection and what is important to the customer
- Offering alternatives or different solutions that may address the objection
- Addressing the objection directly and providing a convincing argument or explanation
- Using positive body language and maintaining a confident and professional demeanor”
What is your experience in sales?
The interviewer is trying to gauge the candidate's experience in sales in order to determine whether or not they would be a good fit for the position. It is important to know the candidate's level of experience in sales so that you can gauge how successful they may be in the role.
Example: “I have been working in sales for the past 5 years and have gained a lot of experience in the field. I have worked with different products and have closed deals with clients from various industries. I have also attended many sales training programs which have helped me hone my skills. I am confident that I can be a successful sales representative for your company.”
What industries are you familiar with?
An interviewer would ask "What industries are you familiar with?" to a sales representative in order to gauge their understanding of the marketplace. It is important for sales representatives to have a good understanding of the industries they are selling to so that they can tailor their sales pitch appropriately.
Example: “I am familiar with a variety of industries, including but not limited to: healthcare, education, technology, retail/e-commerce, and non-profit. In each of these industries, I have gained an understanding of the unique challenges and opportunities that they present. For example, in the healthcare industry, I am familiar with the various regulations that impact businesses operating in this space. In the education industry, I am familiar with the needs of both students and educators when it comes to learning materials and technology. And in the retail/e-commerce industry, I am familiar with the importance of providing a great customer experience online and offline.”
What do you see as your personal strengths and weaknesses in sales?
An interviewer might ask this question to get a sense of the sales representative's self-awareness. It's important for sales representatives to be aware of their strengths and weaknesses so they can sell more effectively and improve their skills.
Example: “My personal strengths in sales are my ability to build rapport with customers, my persuasive skills, and my knowledge of the products I am selling. My weaknesses include being too shy at times and not being assertive enough.”
What do you believe the three most important factors are in successful selling?
The interviewer is asking this question to get a sense of the sales representative's understanding of what it takes to be successful in sales. By understanding the three most important factors in successful selling, the sales representative can tailor their sales approach to better meet the needs of their customers. Additionally, this question can help the interviewer gauge the sales representative's ability to think critically about their sales strategies and how they can improve them.
Example: “The three most important factors in successful selling are product knowledge, customer service, and salesmanship. Product knowledge is important because it allows the sales representative to understand the features and benefits of the product and how it can meet the needs of the customer. Customer service is important because it builds rapport with the customer and creates a relationship of trust. Salesmanship is important because it demonstrates to the customer that the sales representative is knowledgeable about the product and is confident in its ability to meet their needs.”
How do you develop and maintain relationships with clients?
The interviewer is trying to gauge the Sales Representative's ability to develop and maintain relationships with clients. It is important for the Sales Representative to be able to develop and maintain relationships with clients because it is essential for making sales. If the Sales Representative cannot develop and maintain relationships with clients, then they will not be able to make sales.
Example: “There are a few key things that you can do to develop and maintain relationships with clients:
1. First, always be professional and courteous. This means being punctual, dressing appropriately, and behaving in a respectful manner.
2. Second, take the time to get to know your clients. Learn about their businesses, their goals, and their challenges. This will help you better understand how you can help them succeed.
3. Third, keep your promises and follow through on your commitments. If you say you're going to do something, make sure you do it. This builds trust and shows that you're reliable.
4. Finally, stay in touch even after the sale is complete. Send your clients periodic updates on your products or services, or just check in to see how they're doing. This helps keep you top of mind and shows that you care about their continued success.”
What do you see as the most important thing to remember when making a sales presentation?
The interviewer is trying to gauge the sales representative's understanding of what is important when making a sales presentation. It is important to remember the most important thing to remember when making a sales presentation because it will help to make the presentation more effective.
Example: “When making a sales presentation, the most important thing to remember is to focus on the needs of your audience. It is important to understand what they are looking for and tailor your presentation to meet those needs. Additionally, you should be prepared to answer any questions that they may have.”
How do you handle rejection?
An interviewer would ask how a sales representative handles rejection in order to gauge their ability to deal with disappointment and continue working hard. It is important for a sales representative to be able to handle rejection because they will inevitably face it during their career. If they cannot handle it, they will not be successful.
Example: “When I am selling something and I get rejected, I usually take it as a learning opportunity. I try to find out why the person rejected my offer, and then I use that information to improve my sales pitch for next time. I also stay positive and keep in mind that not everyone is going to say yes, no matter how good my offer is.”
What do you see as a successful salesperson’s attitude?
There are a few reasons why an interviewer might ask this question to a sales representative. Firstly, it allows the interviewer to gauge the sales representative's level of experience and expertise. Secondly, it allows the interviewer to understand the sales representative's goals and objectives. Finally, it allows the interviewer to assess the sales representative's attitude towards success.
It is important for a sales representative to have a positive attitude towards success because it shows that they are motivated and driven to achieve their goals. A positive attitude also indicates that the sales representative is willing to put in the hard work required to succeed.
Example: “A successful salesperson’s attitude is one of determination and perseverance. They are always looking for new opportunities to sell their product or service, and they are never afraid to put in the extra work to close a deal. They also have a positive outlook on life and believe that anything is possible if they set their mind to it.”
What do you feel is the best way to learn more about selling?
There are a few reasons why an interviewer might ask this question to a sales representative. One reason is to gauge the sales representative's level of experience and knowledge. If the sales representative is inexperienced, the interviewer might want to know what resources they would use to learn more about selling. This question also allows the interviewer to get a sense of the sales representative's sales process and how they go about acquiring new customers. Finally, this question gives the interviewer insight into the sales representative's motivation for selling and whether they are truly passionate about the product or service they are selling.
Example: “The best way to learn more about selling is to get out there and start selling! There's no substitute for experience, so the more you sell, the better you'll become at it. You can also learn a lot by observing other successful salespeople in action and studying their techniques. Additionally, reading books and articles on selling can give you some good insights into effective selling strategies.”
What resources (books, websites, etc.) do you use to keep up with changes in your industry or field?
The interviewer is likely trying to gauge the Sales Representative's interest in staying up-to-date with changes in their industry. This is important because it shows that the Sales Representative is proactive and takes initiative in their work. Additionally, it allows the interviewer to see what resources the Sales Representative is using to stay informed, which can be helpful in determining if they are using reliable sources of information.
Example: “I use a variety of resources to keep up with changes in my industry or field. I read industry-specific news websites and trade publications, follow relevant hashtags and influencers on social media, and attend relevant conferences and networking events. I also have a few key contacts that I regularly touch base with to get the latest scoop on what's happening in our industry.”
How do you stay motivated when working on long-term projects?
The interviewer is trying to gauge the Sales Representative's ability to stay motivated and focused on long-term projects. This is important because Sales Representatives need to be able to maintain their motivation and focus in order to successfully sell products or services.
Example: “There are a few things that I do to stay motivated when working on long-term projects. First, I make sure that I have a clear understanding of the goals and objectives of the project. I then break the project down into smaller tasks and milestones so I can see my progress along the way. I also set regular check-ins with my supervisor or project manager to ensure that I am on track. Finally, I reward myself for completing tasks and milestones, whether it is with a small treat or some extra free time.”
What do you do when you encounter a difficult situation or problem in sales?
The interviewer is trying to gauge the Sales Representative's ability to handle difficult situations and problems. This is important because it shows whether the Sales Representative is able to think on their feet and come up with solutions, or if they crumble under pressure.
Example: “There are a few different ways to approach a difficult situation or problem in sales. The first thing you should do is try to understand the root cause of the problem. Once you have a good understanding of the problem, you can start brainstorming possible solutions. Once you have a few potential solutions, you can start testing them out to see which one works best.”
Have you ever had a situation where you were not able to close a sale? If so, how did you handle it?
The interviewer is trying to gauge the sales representative's ability to deal with rejection and failure. It is important for a sales representative to be able to handle these situations because they will inevitably happen during the course of their career. By understanding how the sales representative deals with these situations, the interviewer can get a better idea of their resilience and determination.
Example: “Yes, I have had a situation where I was not able to close a sale. In this situation, I tried to understand the customer's needs and objections, and then addressed them directly. I also offered a lower price point and payment plan that the customer was comfortable with.”