Top 10 Questions to Ask During a Sales Job Interview

EV Employers Published on August 15, 2023

Sales is a challenging but rewarding career path. If you're a hiring manager looking to fill a sales position, you know how important it is to find the right candidate. The right salesperson will have the skills and experience to close deals, build relationships, and drive revenue for your company.

Here are 10 top questions to ask the candidate during a sales job interview!

1. What motivates you in sales?

This question will help you understand what drives the candidate and what they find rewarding about sales. It's important to find someone who is motivated by challenges, commissions, or a passion for helping people.

2. Describe a complex sales scenario you've handled.

This question will give you a sense of the candidate's problem-solving skills and their ability to think critically. It's also a good way to see how they handle pressure.

3. How do you handle rejections?

Sales is a numbers game, and everyone experiences rejection from time to time. This question will help you understand how the candidate deals with setbacks and whether they have the resilience to succeed in sales.

4. Share your most memorable sales success.

This question will give you a sense of the candidate's track record and their ability to achieve and exceed goals. It's also a good way to see how they celebrate their successes.

5. How do you tailor your sales approach to different personality types?

In sales, it's important to be able to adapt your approach to different clients. This question will help you understand how the candidate does this and whether they have the interpersonal skills to build rapport with a variety of people.

6. Explain a time when you collaborated with marketing/support teams.

Sales is a team sport, and collaboration is essential for success. This question will help you understand how the candidate works with others and whether they are a team player.

7. What's your strategy for nurturing long-term client relationships?

In sales, it's not enough to just make a sale. You also need to build long-term relationships with your clients. This question will help you understand how the candidate plans to do this and whether they are customer-centric.

8. How do you stay updated about your industry and market trends?

The sales landscape is constantly changing, so it's important to stay up-to-date on the latest trends. This question will help you understand how the candidate does this and whether they are proactive in their learning.

9. Describe a time when you didn't meet a sales target. What did you learn?

Failure is a part of life, and it's important to learn from your mistakes. This question will help you understand how the candidate handles failure and whether they are able to grow from their experiences.

10. How would you handle a price-resistant prospect?

Price objections are common in sales, and it's important to be able to handle them effectively. This question will help you understand how the candidate handles price objections and whether they are able to emphasize value over price.

By asking these top 10 questions, you'll gain valuable insights into whether the candidate is the right fit for your sales team.

EV Careers is the ultimate destination for Electric Vehicle automotive industry professionals, matching the best employers and employees for a greener future. Whether you are looking for a new career opportunity or seeking to hire qualified talent, EV Careers can help you find the perfect fit in the fast-growing and innovative Electric Vehicle automotive industry.