Question Overview: Listen for the applicant's definition of a good salesperson. Are they willing to work hard? Are they motivated? Do they have a good attitude? Do they have a strong work ethic? Do they have a positive outlook? Are they coachable? Do they have the ability to learn new skills and adapt to new situations?
Sample Answer: A good salesperson is someone who is motivated, coachable, and has a strong work ethic.
Question Overview: Look for a candidate who is excited about the job and the company. You want someone who is motivated to work hard and is willing to learn. You want someone who is willing to take on the challenge of a new role.
Sample Answer: I think this job is a great opportunity for me. I am really excited about the challenge of this role and I am looking forward to learning more about your company.
Question Overview: Look for a candidate who is able to show how they have increased market share in their previous role. They should be able to provide specific examples of how they were able to achieve this. If they are able to show a history of success, then you can feel confident that they will be able to do the same for your company.
Sample Answer: I like to use a consultative approach where I meet with my clients and ask them what they need. I then work with them to create a solution that will help them achieve their goals.
Question Overview: Listen for examples of how the candidate handled a difficult situation. See if they talk about how they overcame the obstacle and what it taught them. You want to hire someone who is able to overcome obstacles and learn from them.
Sample Answer: I was once in a sales role where I was not getting the results I wanted. I had to learn how to manage my time better and be more efficient.
Question Overview: Look for a candidate who is confident in their ability to bring in new clients. You want someone who can bring in new business, but you also want someone who is realistic. If they are too confident, they could be over-promising and under-delivering. If they are too modest, they may not be able to meet their quota.
Sample Answer: I have always been able to bring in new clients and I am confident that I can do the same for your company.
Question Overview: This is a fun question to ask, but it can also reveal a lot about the candidate. You want to hire someone who is passionate about their work and who has a positive outlook. You want someone who is confident and willing to take risks. You want someone who is creative and innovative. You want someone who is motivated and driven. You want someone who is passionate about their work.
Sample Answer: I would be a lion because I would like to be the king of the jungle.
Question Overview: Look for a candidate who has a history of learning new skills and taking on new challenges. See if they have a history of taking on leadership roles and responsibilities. You want to hire someone who is willing to learn and grow with the company.
Sample Answer: I have always been a fast learner and have taken on new challenges throughout my career. I have also grown as a leader by taking on new responsibilities.
Question Overview: Look for a candidate who is open to learning from both experiences. See if they can explain how they learned from each experience and what they would do differently if they could.
Sample Answer: My best boss was very supportive. He was always there when I needed him and was always willing to help me learn. My worst boss was very negative and critical. He didn't like to help me learn and I felt like he didn't have my back.
Question Overview: Listen for the candidate's genuine interest in the company. Look for someone who is excited about the company's products or services. See if they have done their research and can speak to the company's history and future. A candidate who is interested in the company will be more likely to be successful in the role.
Sample Answer: I have always been a fan of your products. I love that you are a family-run business and that you are committed to your customers.
Question Overview: Look for an answer that shows the candidate is willing to work with others and is flexible. You want to hire a regional sales manager who can work with different personalities and styles. You want someone who can be persuasive and influence others.
Sample Answer: I would sit down with the contractor and discuss the direction I am asking them to go. I would explain why it is important for the company and their role. I would also ask them what they think about the direction.
Question Overview: Look for a candidate who is willing to work with you to develop a plan that works for your company. You want someone who is willing to listen to your ideas and then incorporate them into their plan. You want someone who is willing to take your suggestions and make them their own.
Sample Answer: I would love to work with you on developing a plan that works for our company.
Question Overview: Listen for examples of how the candidate has added value to their previous company. Look for someone who is a team player and who is willing to go above and beyond their job description. You want someone who is willing to take on more responsibility and who is willing to learn new skills.
Sample Answer: I have always been a team player and have taken on more responsibility when needed. I am always looking for ways to improve myself and my team.
Question Overview: Listen for the candidate to talk about a job that is similar to the one you are hiring for. If they are a sales manager, then they should be able to talk about the ideal sales manager job. If they are a sales rep, then they should be able to talk about the ideal sales rep job. If they can't, then it's probably not the right fit.
Sample Answer: I would love to be a regional sales manager. I have always loved helping people and I think this role would allow me to do that.
Question Overview: Look for a candidate who is familiar with your product and has experience selling similar products. If they have experience selling a similar product, then they should be able to apply their knowledge to your product. If they don't have experience selling a similar product, then you can ask them how they would approach the challenge of learning about your product and how they would sell it.
Sample Answer: I have sold similar products in the past. I would first look at the customer's needs and see if my product is a good fit. I would then look at the competition and see if my product is better.
Question Overview: Listen for a response that shows the candidate is confident and knows how to negotiate. It's important to hire someone who can be persuasive and negotiate on behalf of the company. You want someone who can stand up for the company's value and price point.
Sample Answer: I would tell them that our product is better than the competitor's and that we have a better service package.
Question Overview: Look for a candidate who is able to explain how they would approach this situation. They should be able to explain how they would identify the root cause of the churn and then come up with a solution. They should also be able to explain how they would approach the sales reps in this territory and what they would do to keep them motivated and engaged.
Sample Answer: I would first look at the sales process and see if there are any holes or things that need to be improved. If not, I would look at the sales reps themselves and see if there are any issues that need to be addressed.
Question Overview: Listen for specific details about the company and the role. Look for a candidate who is well-versed in the company's products and services. If they are not familiar with the company, then they should be able to show a willingness to learn more about the company and its products.
Sample Answer: I have heard great things about Zscaler and am very interested in learning more about your company. I have used your competitor's product in my previous role and am very familiar with it.
Question Overview: Look for an answer that shows the candidate is active on LinkedIn. See if they have a lot of connections and are active in groups. If they have less than 500 connections, ask why. You want to hire someone who is active on social media and has a large network.
Sample Answer: I am not very active on LinkedIn. I am more active on Twitter and Facebook.
Question Overview: Listen for a candidate who asks a lot of questions about the data center and its operations. If they are willing to learn about the data center, then they are likely to be a good fit. They should also be able to explain how their experience relates to the job.
Sample Answer: I know that you have a very successful data center. I would love to learn more about it.
Question Overview: Listen for a candidate who is motivated by success and the desire to be the best. Look for someone who is motivated by the challenge of exceeding their quota and the opportunity to learn new skills. They should also be motivated by the desire to be a leader and to help others succeed.
Sample Answer: I am motivated by success and the desire to be the best. I love challenges and I am always looking for ways to improve.