Top 45 Sales Interview Questions & Answers: Freshers to Experts (Including Practice Questions)
Sales jobs are challenging, and cracking a sales deal is no different. In sales, every word you say to convince a client, every response you give to countless questions from a client, and every gesture you make counts. In a sales interview, it will be your interpersonal finesse that will make you stand out. As an aspiring sales professional, you will be exposed to thought-provoking questions. The interview demands spontaneous and intelligent thinking abilities and a savvy salesman’s attitude. Whether or not you have extensive sales knowledge, what matters is demonstrating competent salesmanship skills. Prepare for the interview process by arming yourself with sales interview questions through sample answers in this blog.
What is a Sales Interview All About?
A sales team member must perform three essential functions smoothly: achieve targets, pursue clients and customers, and handle rejections. When interviewed for a sales job profile, your personality and skills are assessed. During your interview, you may face situational questions, sales role-specific questions, and soft skills questions. Your creative and solution-oriented answers will determine whether or not you are the best fit for the role.
Common Sales Interview Questions
There are a few questions that the interviewer asks to evaluate your approach to sales and assess your background. The most common questions asked in sales job interviews are:
1. Tell Me About Yourself
This is a basic interview question. For a sales job vacancy interview, the interviewer expects you to give a brief introduction about yourself, your educational and professional backgrounds, and your achievements, if any. It is better to keep your answer brief and well-structured. Your introduction is meant to help the hiring manager understand your personal development skills.
“My name is [X]. I have worked as a sales professional for the past five years. I have a track record of successfully developing and maintaining strong customer relationships, and I am confident in my ability to build successful sales pipelines. I am eager to contribute my skills and enthusiasm to the sales team at the [Company], and I hope to make a positive influence on the business.”
2. What motivates you to do a Sales job?
Highlight your passion for sales to answer this question. Connect your enthusiasm and skills to share how you can contribute to the company’s sales goals.
“I feel motivated to challenge myself to bring a new approach, and I believe that I am good with interpersonal skills. This is why I enjoy working in sales because I can use my persuasive communication skills freely and challenge myself to achieve targets beyond quotas. I thoroughly enjoy talking to people about a product or service and driving them to become potential customers.“
3. Describe a successful sales experience
This interview question assesses your ability to close a deal and your networking skills. Most importantly, it will show how well you negotiate.
“As a sales professional, I strive in my role with a motive to surpass my previous sales record. I recently had the opportunity to work closely with a prospective client in the [X] industry. Understanding their specific needs and demonstrating creative and amicable solutions to address their sticking points, I have built a strong rapport. Following effective communication and personalized demos, I could secure a sales contract, resulting in a 40% increase in quarterly revenue.”
4. What do you know about our company?
The interviewer wants to know your knowledge of the company. Talk about the products and services of the company and your motivation to work there.
“I am aware that your business specializes in innovative technological solutions specifically suited to businesses. You also have a strong and impressive track record of delivering high-quality products that drive operational efficiencies. The importance you place on customer satisfaction and your recent global market expansion is truly commendable.”
5. How do you feel about teamwork and collaboration in sales?
This question will assess whether or not you are a team player.
“Collaboration and teamwork are essential cornerstones of a sales environment. It encourages a customer-centric sales strategy based on diverse perspectives. The collaboration by team members helps tackle challenges more effectively and achieve mutual success by pooling talents and insights.”
6. Does sales involve the support of cross-functional teams?
The interviewer is interested in learning how knowledgeable you are about the various teams’ contributions to the achievement of sales targets.
“Yes, it does involve the support of cross-functional teams. It is not just the sales department that drives revenue generation for the company. Various teams, like customer service, revenue operations, marketing, and so on, work together to achieve a common sales goal.”
7. Do you think that social media plays an important role in increasing sales?
In this interview question, you’ll be tested on your knowledge of social media’s role in driving sales.
“Yes, I think that social media has a very important role in increasing brand awareness and reaching a large audience in a short period. With social media platforms, you can easily engage with customers by advertising special offers and discounts that drive sales.”
8. Describe your long-term career goals.
This is the best opportunity to share your career aspirations and your learning goals toward them.
“I am a budding professional in sales and marketing, and I would like to grow my selling skills to capture potential customers. While working to surpass our sales goals, sales professionals also develop their leadership and competitive skills to excel in the selling game. I envision myself succeeding in this area so that I can become a manager in the next five years.”
Sales Interview Questions and Answers for Freshers
There is no shortage of sales jobs, and many companies post jobs to recruit young people. Here are some of the interview questions for an entry-level sales job.
9. Why do you want to start a career in sales?
I am drawn to a career in sales because it matches my natural ability to connect with people and understand their needs. The dynamic and fast-paced nature of sales appeals to me because I thrive in challenging environments that require quick thinking and adaptability. The opportunity to build strong relationships, solve problems, and directly contribute to the growth of a company is incredibly fulfilling. I look forward to using my communication skills and drive to not only meet but exceed goals to make a tangible impact on the business community.
10. Are you comfortable making cold calls?
Yes, I am comfortable making cold calls. As a Sales Representative, making cold calls is a crucial part of the job. I will prefer to do my homework about the company and contact points to avoid any awkwardness. This is how I will feel comfortable, more confident, and professional when I talk to the client.
11. What qualities will help you become an effective salesperson?
First, I must be knowledgeable about the goods and services offered by the company. I will also keep an eye out for similar products and services offered by competitors in the market. Apart from this, active listening and problem-solving abilities to solve the pain points of the customers will make an effective salesperson.
If you aim to become a successful sales professional, you may consider taking an online interview preparation course to learn how to do market research, product analysis, and so on.
12. Are Sales and Marketing the same thing?
They are related, but they have distinct functions. Marketing is concerned with raising awareness about the brand and its products and services and networking, whereas sales is concerned with closing deals and generating revenue. In today’s digital age, sales, and marketing teams work together to promote and sell products. For example, the Instagram page of any brand will have marketing representatives to do promotional activities, and the sales team will decide the targets to be reached.
13. How will you approach a customer to close a deal?
Once a potential customer is identified, I will ask them probing questions like:
- What features are you looking for in a product?
- What similar product are you using currently?
- Why are you not satisfied with the product you are using?
- What is your ideal budget?
When I have a good idea of what the customer is looking for, I will explain how my product can solve their problems or improve their situation. I recommend something that will meet their needs and close the deal.
14. How do you determine whether a potential customer is the right fit for your sales pitch?
I assess a potential customer’s needs and budget to see if my sales pitch can satisfy them before deciding whether they are a good fit. If the customer has a need that my product cannot meet, or if the customer’s budget is too low and other similar products are unavailable within that range, then he or she is not the right fit.
15. Make a sales pitch for selling this pen to me.
If you buy this pen, you will make an excellent choice for a great writing experience. It has a comfortable grip and a stylish design. You can easily get a refill, and you won’t have to replace this pen for a long time. Furthermore, it is an affordable pen, which makes it a great choice for buying.
16. What are your thoughts on our company and our product?
I believe your company does an excellent job of developing innovative products, such as [X], that provide real solutions to customers. Your [X] product is sturdily constructed, trustworthy, and has a strong track record of sales achievement. I am confident it will continue to be a leader in the [ABC] industry.
Sales Interview Questions and Answers for Intermediate-Level
Understand how to highlight your experience in the industry in the best way possible by referring to these sample questions.
17. What makes you a good sales representative?
I do not hesitate to make cold calls. My first sales job required me to make approximately 60 cold calls per day to meet the monthly sales target. I believe that I am good at building rapport with customers instantly. I make sure that I am attentive to listening to the customer’s needs to offer the best product.
18. Give an instance when you got constructive feedback. How did you react to it?
My supervisor recently gave me constructive feedback on my sales pitch. He shared that my sales pitch was too long and sounded very technical. I struggled to reach deals with clients who could not comprehend technical information. At that moment, I tried to incorporate the feedback I received and worked to shorten my pitch and focus more on the benefits of the product to the customer.
19. Would you prefer to close a guaranteed ₹1,00,000 deal or leave it for a shot at a ₹2,00,000 deal?
It depends on the risks and benefits associated with these two deals. If the potential of the ₹2,00,000 deal is far greater than the guaranteed ₹1,00,000 deal, then I would take the risk and go for the bigger deal. On the other hand, if the risks associated with the ₹2,00,000 deal outweigh the potential benefits of the ₹1,00,000 deal, I would settle for the latter.
20. Which do you believe is more important: meeting a sales quota or keeping your customers satisfied?
I believe that both are important. Meeting sales targets is a very important part of my job and performance. However, if the customers are dissatisfied, then the efforts to chase the sales quota go in vain. So, as a sales professional, while achieving a sales target, I will also give weightage to having happy customers.
21. What is your favorite part of working in sales?
A sales job is very demanding. Apart from coming up with creative ideas to make a sales pitch, chasing the target numbers motivates me a lot to perform better. I enjoy the challenge of understanding the customer’s needs and determining the best solution. It is also satisfying to cultivate relationships and see customers return to you. A sales job also offers incentives for great performance.
22. What is your least favorite part about a sales job?
Every customer is important, but there are times when a few customers seem casual and unenthusiastic. They have no intention of purchasing anything and continue to hound the sales representative for product information. I understand that at such moments, one has to maintain respectful conduct and deal with patience.
23. Do you know how to use CRM (Customer Relationship Management) software?
Yes, I do know how to use CRM software. I have been trained in how to use CRM software to its fullest potential, such as analyzing customer data and creating marketing/sales campaigns. The data from CRM software helps in maintaining the customer and continuing to give them special offers for sustained relationships.
24. What are the various sales metrics you are aware of?
In my current company, I have been trained to use ‘Customer Acquisition Cost’ and ‘Monthly Recurring Revenue’. As far as I understand, sales metrics are chosen based on sales’ key performance indicators (KPIs). I look forward to learning more about sales metrics in my new role as a [specify position].
Sales Interview Questions and Answers for Experienced Professionals
Take a look at some of the sales job interview questions for an experienced professional.
25. How has your experience prepared you for the role of Senior Sales Analyst?
Initially, I worked as a field salesperson, but over time, my knack for numbers and analyzing market trends led me to become a Sales Analyst. I contributed to analyzing and changing the sales process and techniques based on studying the market data. By digging for insightful details and drawing conclusions with the help of data visualization tools, I helped my sales team open new opportunities for sales. The Senior Sales Analyst position will spur my confidence to lead and continue to provide a better analytical understanding of the sales process. Therefore, have your products and services compete in the market.
26. How did you approach a sudden change in a client’s decision to not pursue a deal or have you faced an outright rejection?
There have been instances where the client abruptly canceled a deal or the product did not match what the customer needed. Although I aim to meet the targets of the sales, I cannot be coercive in my approach to fixing a deal with the client because the company’s reputation is at stake. But I understand when a product or service is not suitable for a client or they change their mind. In such situations, I strive to respectfully ask for feedback and consider alternative options. I prioritize customer satisfaction over meeting sales targets. If there is no possibility of things working out, I would politely explain that they should look into different options. But in some cases, I have been able to win back the client.
27. What will you do when the sales are down?
When sales are weak, I will reevaluate the situation and create a strategic plan designed to increase the customer base through creative solutions based on market data. This could include looking at new customer segments, developing marketing strategies for existing customer segments, or enhancing product features to better meet customer needs. Further, I will look at the competitors to see if they have any advantages that we could emulate.
28. How do you remain competitive and up to date with the latest industry trends?
The interaction with my colleagues is very helpful to stay on track in the sales field. I do read online news on sales forecasting and new techniques for lead generation. Whenever I have the opportunity to interact with professionals at a workshop or conference, that also helps me stay up to date on the latest and best practices in sales. I make sure to build a healthy network of sales professionals and stay in touch with them to stay updated on the latest sales strategies and techniques. I also regularly analyze customer feedback and use it to update my sales approach.
29. Do you understand the difference between Cross-selling and Upselling?
Upselling involves urging customers to buy a more premium product similar to the one they’re considering, whereas cross-selling encourages customers to make purchases of associated or supplementary products.
30. How do Sales Funnels differ from Marketing Funnels?
A sales funnel shows how people buy things, while a marketing funnel attracts potential customers. The sales funnel guides them to make a purchase, while the marketing funnel gets them interested in the product.
31. What is your viewpoint on complaints from customers?
Customers are the lifeblood of successful marketing and sales businesses. There are instances when they seem dissatisfied or highly disappointed with the service or product and come up with complaints. Since the success of the company depends on positive customer reviews, we must be responsive to resolve customer complaints quickly. However, due to the internet and social media, customers rampantly file complaints, and sometimes it gets difficult to manage them in time. I believe that it is better to avoid challenging a customer’s complaint, acknowledge their feedback, and extend timely assistance or an apology when necessary.
32. What are your long-term career goals?
My long-term career goal is to become a Sales Manager. Using my experience and knowledge of the industry, I would like to train and lead a successful team of sales professionals and allow them to hone their talents and skills to achieve their desired goals. I also want to further my passion for finding innovative solutions to increase customer satisfaction and drive revenue growth. As a manager, I would like to creatively develop, implement, and optimize sales strategies and make a great contribution to the company’s revenue generation.
Practice Sales Interview Questions
Here is another set of questions that you can practice to ace in your sales interview.
33. What is your highest level of education?
34. Do you have any industry-relevant certifications?
35. Have you always met your sales target at your previous company?
36. Have you ever turned down a sales opportunity? For what reason did you do that?
37. How do you know when a client is not interested in your sales pitch?
38. Could you tell me about a situation where you lost a potential client because of your mistake?
39. Why did you apply for the [X] position?
40. What are your work expectations if you are offered this [X] position?
41. What keeps you motivated to work in the sales field?
42. Are you comfortable dealing with the analysis of customer data in CRM software?
43. How do you approach a customer when they don’t want to buy a product?
44. Tell me about one strength and one weakness you have.
45. Where do you see yourself in the next five years in this industry?
Things to Remember While Preparing for a Sales Interview
Take note of a few things that you must keep in mind to prepare for the sales interview. Here they are:
- Research the Company: Being well aware of the company’s business is very important. You may be asked questions about the company’s sales, what you think about it, the scope of improvement in sales strategy, and so on. To answer these questions aptly and knowledgeably, you must have a good understanding of the company.
- Let Them Know Your Skills: Demonstrate a strong personality through your conduct in the interview, especially your interpersonal and communication skills. This will indicate to the interviewer that you will do a good job interacting with clients. Likewise, share your experience to showcase your persuasive skills and how well-informed you are about products and the competitive market environment.
- Talk About Your Achievements: This will include sharing your remarkable feats in achieving sales targets and also talking about your career trajectory (if you have experience in the sales field). Talk about quantifiable achievements. It will convince the hiring manager how passionate you are about your sales-related job.
Conclusion
Making great strides in a sales environment requires a sales professional to become competitive and be super active in communicating effectively. As a sales professional, your main task is to capture the client’s attention and successfully close a deal. If you are interested in starting your career in the sales field, refer to our guide to sales interview questions to increase your prospects of closing an interview deal.