Top Outside Sales Representative Interview Questions with Example Answers [2022]

Prepare for your Outside Sales Representative interview by going through these most asked Outside Sales Representative interview questions. Additionally, get access to sample answers and interviewer's expectations.

Interview Practice

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  • Question: What are your motivations?
  • Question Overview: This question is designed to gauge the candidate's desire to succeed and their drive to achieve their goals. The best outside sales representatives are those who are hungry for success and willing to do what it takes to get there.

    Sample Answer: I want to be the best at what I do, and I'm willing to do whatever it takes to get there.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Desire to succeed
    • - Willingness to do what it takes
    • - Commitment to achieving goals

  • Question: Why do you want to be a salesperson?
  • Question Overview: This question is aimed at gauging the candidate's interest in sales. The best candidates are those who are genuinely interested in sales and have a desire to be a part of the process. The worst candidates are those who are just looking for a job and don't have any real interest in sales.

    Sample Answer: I've always had an interest in sales because I enjoy helping people.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Desire to be a part of the sales process
    • - Passion for sales
    • - Interest in the field

  • Question: If you were an animal, what would it be?
  • Question Overview: This is a fun question that's intended to gauge the candidate's personality. The answer can reveal a lot about the candidate's outlook on life.

    Sample Answer: I would be a lion because they're strong and powerful.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Sense of humor
    • - Ability to be playful

  • Question: What makes you a good fit for this position?
  • Question Overview: The candidate needs to be able to demonstrate that they have the skills and experience to do the job. They should also be able to show that they're a good fit for the organization and that they're interested in the job.

    Sample Answer: I have the skills and experience to do this job. I'm also interested in working for a company like yours because of its reputation.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Demonstrated skills and experience
    • - Interest in the position
    • - Interest in the company

  • Question: How would you approach the sales process?
  • Question Overview: This question is aimed at gauging the candidate's sales process. The outside sales representative needs to be able to sell the product or service in a way that's tailored to the customer's needs. The best way to do this is by asking questions and listening to what the client has to say.

    Sample Answer: I would ask questions about the client's business and then tailor my pitch accordingly.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Ability to tailor sales pitch to client's needs
    • - Ability to ask questions and listen
    • - Desire to learn about client's needs

  • Question: What are your salary expectations?
  • Question Overview: This question is intended to gauge the candidate's salary expectations. The ideal outside sales representative is one who is willing to work for a fair wage and not one who is seeking to maximize their compensation. The candidate should be able to provide a number that's fair for them and the company.

    Sample Answer: I'm looking for a salary that's fair for both the company and myself.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Ability to provide a fair wage
    • - Willingness to work for a fair wage

  • Question: What are your strengths?
  • Question Overview: This is a broad question that can be answered in a number of ways. The candidate should be prepared to discuss their strengths in terms of their ability to sell products and services. They should also be able to speak to their strengths in terms of their ability to work with others.

    Sample Answer: My strengths are my ability to sell products and services as well as my ability to work with others.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Ability to sell products and services
    • - Ability to work with others

  • Question: How are you experienced in B2C sales?
  • Question Overview: This question is aimed at gauging the candidate's experience in the outside sales role. It's important that the candidate has experience in selling to consumers as opposed to business-to-business. The best candidates will have experience selling to a variety of customers, not just one type.

    Sample Answer: I've sold to a variety of customers, including both businesses and consumers.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Experience selling to a variety of customers
    • - Knowledge of how to sell to consumers
    • - Experience selling products and services

  • Question: What is your biggest weakness?
  • Question Overview: This is a classic interview question that's designed to gauge the candidate's self-awareness. The best way to answer this question is by admitting a weakness and then explaining how you're working to improve it. The candidate should also demonstrate that they're aware of the weakness and that they're actively working to improve it.

    Sample Answer: I tend to get too focused on the task at hand and lose sight of the big picture. I'm working on improving my ability to see the big picture so that I can better serve my customers.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Self-awareness of one's weaknesses
    • - Commitment to improvement
    • - Ability to admit fault

  • Question: What are three adjectives that describe you?
  • Question Overview: This question is aimed at getting a sense of the candidate's personality. The best outside sales representative is one who is friendly, outgoing, and energetic. They should also be able to build rapport with clients and be able to relate to them.

    Sample Answer: I would describe myself as friendly, outgoing, and energetic.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Friendly
    • - Outgoing
    • - Energetic

  • Question: What metrics did you use to track your success in previous sales jobs?
  • Question Overview: The best outside sales representatives are those who are self-aware and know how to measure their own performance. This is a crucial skill because it allows the candidate to identify areas of improvement and also to set goals for themselves.

    Sample Answer: I tracked my success by looking at the number of new clients I brought in and the amount of revenue I generated from them.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Ability to track their own performance
    • - Willingness to use metrics to improve
    • - Desire to set goals for themselves

  • Question: What are your current responsibilities?
  • Question Overview: This question is aimed at gauging the candidate's current responsibilities and whether they're a good fit for the position. The best outside sales representative is one who has experience in the field and can draw from their previous experience to demonstrate how they can be successful in the role.

    Sample Answer: My current responsibilities are to generate new business and maintain existing relationships.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Experience in the field
    • - Ability to draw from past experience
    • - Knowledge of current responsibilities

  • Question: What makes you think that you can be successful here?
  • Question Overview: The candidate needs to be able to explain why they're a good fit for the job. They should be able to demonstrate that they have the skills and experience that are needed. They should also be able to show that they have a desire to succeed and that they're willing to put in the effort to do so.

    Sample Answer: I'm confident that I can be successful here because I have the skills and experience needed. I'm also committed to succeeding and willing to put in the effort to do so.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Confidence in their abilities
    • - Commitment to succeeding
    • - Willingness to work hard

  • Question: What took you so long to graduate?
  • Question Overview: This question is used to gauge the candidate's maturity. An outside sales representative needs to be able to work with clients and colleagues. They need to be able to work with people who are older than them and younger than them. They need to be able to work with people who are more experienced than them and less experienced than them. The best way to do this is by being mature and having a good sense of time management.

    Sample Answer: I was in a few clubs at school and had a part-time job that I worked at nights and weekends.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Maturity
    • - Time management skills
    • - Ability to work with people of all ages

  • Question: How would you go about getting acquainted with your given sales territory?
  • Question Overview: This question is aimed at gauging the candidate's knowledge of their territory as well as their ability to prioritize the most important areas. The best outside sales representative will know where to focus their efforts and how to best utilize their time.

    Sample Answer: I would start by getting to know my customers and then focus on the areas where I can make the most impact.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Knowledge of the territory
    • - Ability to prioritize the most important areas
    • - Time management skills

  • Question: Why should we choose you without b2b experience?
  • Question Overview: This question is aimed at determining whether the candidate is a good fit for the position. The best answer is one that shows that the candidate has the skills and attributes that are needed to be successful in the role. This is a question that can be answered in a variety of ways, but it's important to show that you have the right stuff to be successful.

    Sample Answer: I believe that I have the right skills and attributes to be successful in this role. I have a strong desire to learn and work hard. I'm also flexible enough to adapt to new situations.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Desire to learn
    • - Willingness to work hard
    • - Ability to adapt to new situations

  • Question: What do you know about UniFirst?
  • Question Overview: The candidate should be able to speak about the company's history, its products, and its services. They should be able to speak about the company's goals and how they fit into the overall picture of the organization.

    Sample Answer: UniFirst is a leading provider of uniform rental services in North America. The company has been in business for over 60 years and has over 2,000 employees. UniFirst offers a wide range of uniform rental services including delivery, uniform maintenance, and uniform supply.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Knowledge of the company's products and services
    • - Ability to speak about the company's history
    • - Understanding of the company's goals

  • Question: What are your 3 main goals in life?
  • Question Overview: The purpose of this question is to gauge the candidate's personal drive. The best outside sales representative is one who has a strong sense of purpose and a desire to achieve their goals.

    Sample Answer: My three main goals in life are to be happy, healthy, and wealthy.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Desire to achieve personal goals
    • - Willingness to work hard to achieve them
    • - Ability to set goals that are challenging but realistic

  • Question: What does excellent customer service mean to you?
  • Question Overview: The candidate should be able to articulate what excellent customer service means to them and how they would provide it. This is the best way to gauge whether they have the right attitude for the job.

    Sample Answer: Excellent customer service means that I am able to meet my customers' needs and exceed their expectations.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Ability to articulate what excellent customer service means
    • - Commitment to providing it
    • - Desire to make customers happy

  • Question: What do you like about sales?
  • Question Overview: The candidate should be able to articulate what they like about sales. This is a good way to gauge their passion for the job and their interest in the position.

    Sample Answer: I like selling because it's a way for me to interact with people and help them find solutions to their problems.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Desire to sell
    • - Enjoyment of interacting with people
    • - Willingness to learn