Sales Manager Job Interview
Often out of 300 applicants only 6 candidates will be interviewed. In most interviews, but this varies depending on the job sector and employer, you will be asked around 10 interview questions during a 45 minute interview. To increase your job chances of securing a job offer you will learn the answers to 12 sector job interview questions.
The key to passing job interviews in preparation and practice, this sounds obvious but is often overlooked, with the average interviewee spending around only 60 minutes preparing for their job interview.
This article will help you to prepare and to pass your next job interview in 3 separate ways. 1. You will learn over 10 common asked interview questions for your job position. 2. You will be given an explanation of the type of answer the interviewer is looking for ( a guide to what the employer wants you to discuss ) 3. You will be given an example job interview answer for each individual interview question, allowing you to tweak this answer, making it relevant to your own experiences.
Job Interview Questions and Answers for a Sales Manager
Job Interview Question 1:
“Tell me about your sales management experience?”
One of the most common asked questions in interviews, normally asked at the beginning of an interview, this question gives you the opportunity to deliver a short statement about your experiences and skills relevant to the job position you are applying for.
- Start with a “selling” line that will highlight your main strength and/or achievement
- Keep each point brief as you can explain each point again in more detail throughout the interview
- You want to interest the interviewer and get them to want to know more about you
- End this answer with a reason why you’re looking for a new job
Job Interview Question 2:
“Give an example of effectively using data analyst”
Pick an example of using projection and forecast to confidently predict profit. Explain a negative situation (maybe a decline in sale due to a global natural disaster) explain what data you analysed and how you create a plan to keep profits increasing. End by giving a percentage of profits earnt in that quarter.
Job Interview Question 3:
“What skills will you bring to your team and how will you embed these skills to increase overall profit?”
To influence the job interview you need to stand out. Don’t fall into the trap of stating common skills. Instead think about what is unique about you, what you can offer but others can’t. As well as explaining the skill, explain how you and this skill, will increase profits.
Job Interview Question 4:
“Do you work well within a team?”
As a manager team work is key. You need to answer this question with an example of how you motivate and lead a team to a successful outcome. Give specifics and explain the outcome.
Job Interview Question 5:
“In a one to one with an under performing sales rep, what would you say to motivate them?”
This will be a key aspect of your role. Start by saying how you have been in this situation before, then:
- explain how the employee was under-performing, giving reasons
- give an overview of your 1 to 1; explain what you did to motivate them
- state the outcome and increase in profit (percentages work well here)
Job Interview Question 6:
“How would you be an asset to us?”
Think again about the job specification and the skills needed for this role. Have a paragraph prepared highlighting how you will be able to do the job and what you can bring to the team. It goes without saying that this paragraph should be positive.
Job Interview Question 7:
“What are your strengths?”
This is one of the most common questions you will be asked.
Give an answer relevant to the skills and qualities relevant to the position you are applying to. The interviewer is trying to find if your strengths match the job.
For example, if you are applying for a job in a company where accuracy is an important issue, one of your strengths could be that you have an eye for detail. It may useful to find different words to describe similar attributes and qualities in order to avoid repetition.
Job Interview Question 8:
“How important is money to you?”
Money is important in this role. But you need to be clever, explain how increasing profit by x% is important, but as a manager, what is important is a long term and steady increase in profit. For you, having a motivated team and an embedded and robust process is highly important as these processes and systems will create a continued increase in income
Job Interview Question 9:
“Do you know anything about this organisation?”
Often one of the first questions you will be asked during the interview, employers want employees who will stay with the company, this question and answer will show the employer that you know the company’s history and feel they will be a good employer to work for.
It also shows the employer that you think ahead and carry out research. Answer this question with:
- The length the organisation has been operating for.
- How the company started
- What services/products the company offers
- Where they are going (have they won any new contracts)
- All this information is normally found on the internet; on the company home page or about us page.
Job Interview Question 10:
“Do you think you have enough management experience?”
If you’re asked this, then the interviewer does not believe you have enough experience. If you have you need to make this clear, explain about your previous experiences and give detail to the parts that are relevant to this new job role.
If you do not have the experience they need, you need to show the employer
you have the skills, qualities and knowledge that will make you equal to people with experience but not necessary the skills. It is also good to add how quick you can pick up the routine of a new job role.
Job Interview Question 11:
“How do you train new sale reps”
Training is highly important for new staff. Technical questions like these are designed to check your knowledge base. Explain the different types of training you will embed; induction, sales training, ongoing on development, 1 to 1s etc
Use your answer to showcase your training strategy.
Job Interview Question 12:
“Do you have any questions for me?”
Good interview questions to ask interviewers at the end of the job interview include questions on the company growth or expansion, questions on personal development and training and questions on company values, staff retention and company achievements.
Conclusion
Many people are afraid of job interviews. The truth is if you prepare for your job interview, by predicting the job interview questions, you can easily prepare your job interview answers. If your job interview answers highlight your unique selling point, are stated in the positive and are said in a confident manner, then you can influence the job interview to increase job offer.
