Q: What Motivates You
Companies are looking for motivated sales managers therefore, interview questions will ask about your internal and external motivators.
Regardless if youre a sales manager or sales director, interview questions enquiring about your motivations are there to test if you really are passionate about the role.
Showcase your motivation in your sales manager interview with a diverse answer which shows how you inspire yourself and your team.
Sample Answer:
I am motivated by other passionate people. I thrive in an environment where the team dynamic is seamless and positive, as it allows me to focus on my goals. The satisfaction of meeting or exceeding a goal, or the confidence of gaining new skills encourages me to keep going to better myself. Therefore, when motivating others, I provide encouragement and assistance with positive feedback to build confidence in my team members so we can all achieve our goals.
How Do You Keep Yourself Motivated
The interviewer wants to assess whether you have a genuine enthusiasm for work.
Tip #1: Describe how you stay motivated
Tip #2: Demonstrate that you can be relied upon to work productively throughout
Sample Answer
There isnt anything more satisfying than pitching to potential customers and making them excited about the product as I am. Besides, I inspire myself by reading about strategies that other sales managers have used to overcome challenges in the field.
What Is Most Important To You In Your Next Company
Interviewers ask this because:
They want to be sure you are a great match. As much as you want to show you are a good fit for them, they want to be sure they are a good fit for you.
They might also be trying to get a sense of your thought process as you search for a new role. Did you apply because you were just throwing spaghetti at the wall, or did you see something about their company that specifically drew you in?
How to answer:
Again, be honest. Come up with two to four things that are truly important to you in a working environment. They dont necessarily need to be things you already know about the company to which youre applying.
Maybe they reference workplace culture, tools that are available, management styles, access to resources, etc.
Example Answer:
Its important to me that Im part of an organization that aligns around a shared mission, and that it shows in my interactions with colleagues in other departments. Im also looking forward to being part of a team where everybody holds high standards for themselves and those they work with.
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Job Interview Questions To Ask A Sales Manager Candidate In 2021
Usually when individual contributors get promoted to management, they teach their direct reports their secrets for success, use many of the same skills they did in their previous jobs, and get a salary bump.
Sales manager might be one of the only promotions where the job differs dramatically from the individual contributor role and necessitates an entirely different skill set.
Not to mention those chosen to lead the sales team actually take a pay cut often earning less than their direct reports.
With this in mind, sales leaders need unique sales manager interview questions. Sales directors looking to identify the reps who would thrive as sales managers would be wise to incorporate the following questions into their interviews.
Questions To Ask The Interviewer
Remember, an interview is a two-way street. It’s advantageous to ask the interviewer questions during the interview. Plus, you don’t want to get caught flat-footed when the interviewer asks, “Do you have any questions for me?” Here are some ideas for questions you can ask at this moment:
- What qualities does a successful salesperson at your company possess?
- What direction do you see this company taking in the next five years?
- What is the quota for this position?
- What percentage of employees meet their quotas?
- What percentage of employees exceed their quotas?
- Is there a lot of travel associated with this position?
- How is the commission structured in this position?
- Do many people achieve bonuses for high levels of sales?
- How much flexibility does the salesperson have in negotiating price with the customer?
- What do you see as the most difficult challenges for the sales team at this company?
- How many people are on your sales staff?
- How do you motivate your sales staff?
- What does a typical workday/workweek look like at this company?
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What Are Some Challenges Your Current Sales Team Faces
Sales is not a job that produces steady results without certain obstacles and objections to overcome. This question will give you some insight into the challenges you may face in your sales process. It will also help you assess the competition you may have in your new colleagues and how they are currently performing.
Are You An Idea
Paladie: Not a typical question, but one that I love. Theres no right answer, but it gives a sense of their self-reflection and how theyd slot into the team. Because if you over-represent a single profile, youre less likely to be successful. You want complementary assets.
I try to find out how that person sees themselves, then compare that to the people already in leadership to see how were building the team as a whole. If you have a bunch of innovators, great, but whos executing on that? If you only have process people, where were your ideas coming from?
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How Have You Stayed Motivated In A Remote World
Interviewers ask this because:
Many, if not most, sales teams are currently hybrid or fully remote. And what were hearing is that the majority will continue to operate at least in a hybrid environment for the foreseeable future.
The tough truth is that working remote in a sales role is challenging. You lose the energy from being together with peers, you lose overhearing whats working on someone elses call, you lose the celebration from the team when someone finally picks up. So interviewers want to know either that you thrive in that environment, youve found a way to make it work for you, or you have a plan for it.
How to answer:
Think about what tools you use to connect with people: Zoom or another video software, Slack or another chat software?
Think about the rituals that help you feel connected to your teammates: regular happy hour or coffee chat? Rotating catch-up soons? Coworking with peers in your area?
Think about what motivates you: recognition? Achieving goals? Financial incentives?
Example answer:
Before I jump into my work day, its important that I take care of myself first. Instead of rolling out of bed and opening my laptop, I give myself ample time to get ready for the day, do something I enjoy , and set intentions for the day.
I prioritize refreshing myself during the day as well so that when Im working, Im truly focused and bringing my best self to work.
Questions To Ask During A Sales Interview
Interviewing for a sales position can involve a lot of preparation as hiring managers may want to see how each candidate displays various necessary skills. Though answering questions during an interview is the primary focus, asking relevant questions of the interviewer can help show that you’re the right candidate for the job.
In this article, we list 20 potential questions to ask your interviewer and we provide some tips that will help you prepare for your next sales interview.
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In this video, Jenn explains why you should ALWAYS ask questions, how to ask them and gives you the list of top 10 questions to ask hiring managers during an interview.
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In This Role What Distinguishes A Great Performer From A Good One
According to HubSpot senior sales recruiter Devon Brown, this question demonstrates that youre committed to exceeding expectations from day one.
It also shows youre focused on finding a good fit, she adds.
Pay close attention to the hiring managers answer. A good one will know what distinguishes the top reps on their team so they can actively cultivate those traits in other reps.
Interview Questions To Screen For Instincts Motivations And Hunger
John Danos company has hired over 50 salespeople in the last few years, and hes developed a great nose for finding sales talent. I do that by looking for five traits: confidence, diligence, honesty, thoughtfulness, and a positive attitude, Dano writes in a recent post. Here are the three questions he likes to ask sales candidates.
These questions reveal a candidates instincts, motivations, and hunger.
Question #10: Can you tell me about a sale you recently made that you believed followed the perfect process?
Question #11: Can you describe a time that you volunteered to expand your knowledge at work, as opposed to being directed to do so?
Question #12: What would motivate you to make a move from your current role?
John Dano likes to spend about 10 minutes on each of those three questions, but feel free to mix and match from this list and linger where you see fit. Just like sales, recruiting often comes down to intuition and instinct and these 12 interview questions should help you see who has the most sales potential.
If you need more inspiration, check out our interview guide for sales professionals. The guide includes top questions for testing core sales knowledge, behavior, and soft skillsso whatever traits you value most in a salesperson, youll find questions to help you spot them.
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What Are Your Weaknesses
Another tricky one. The purpose of this question is to see how you view and evaluate yourself.
One the one hand, if you suggest you dont have any weaknesses, your interviewer will almost certainly see you as a lair, egotistical, or both.
Dont fall into the trap of trying to present a positive skill in disguise as a weakness, like I work too hard or I am a perfectionist. Any experienced interviewer will see through this in a heartbeat.
Additionally, revealing that Im not really a morning person and have been known to come in late raises immediate and obvious red flags.
The trick here is to respond realistically by mentioning a small, work related weakness and what you are doing or have done to overcome it.
Interview Questions To Screen For Growth Potential In Sales
Sales teams can suffer from notoriously high turnover rates a recent estimate puts it at twice the turnover in the overall labor force in the U.S. Thats why its so important for recruiters and hiring managers in sales to find candidates with growth potential ones who wont burn out after a year or two.
These questions reveal a candidates initiative and potential for leadership.
Question #7: Recall a time from your work experience when your manager or supervisor was unavailable when a problem arose. How did you handle that situation? With whom did you consult?
Question #8: Can you describe a time that you volunteered to expand your knowledge at work, as opposed to being directed to do so?
Question #9: What would motivate you to make a move from your current role?
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How Do Your Best Managers Work With Their Reps
Being curious about your relationship with your future manager is a good sign, Brown says. Different organizations promote different management styles. For example, HubSpot sales leaders focus on training and coaching their reps rather than micromanaging their process, while managers at other companies may be more hands-on.
Before the recruiter extends you an offer, theyll want to know whether your preferred style of being managed aligns with their companys standard style.
Tips For Passing The Sales Manager Interview
TIP #1 The role of a Sales Manager requires an ability to sell, manage a sales team and also inspire them to be the best they possibly can be. It is a pressurized environment, and on that basis, you need to demonstrate during your answers to the interview questions that you are capable of not only working quickly, but also being able to handle the pressure that comes with the role.
TIP #2 Sales, I the modern-world, should always be focused on trust and also the desire to build up long-term relationships with customers and clients. When answering the sales manager interview questions, focus on demonstrating the fact that you are an ethical salesperson who will lead by example and expect their sales team to be the same.
TIP #3 Managing a sales team requires a unique set of abilities, including being able to provide support to the team members and holding them accountable for sales targets, whilst also inspiring and motivating them to be the best they can be. During your answers to the behavioral sales manager interview questions, provide specific examples of where you have managed difficult teams/individuals and also where you have used your initiative to solve team-related problems.
If you want to PASS your Sales Manager interview with the highest scores possible, download a copy of our 29 SALES MANAGER INTERVIEW QUESTIONS & ANSWERS directly on this page!
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What Is The History Of This Position
The answer to this question lets you know if the position is new or has always existed and if the duties and responsibilities have evolved. It’s also helpful to ask about the future of the position to know if the role will expand to include extra responsibilities anytime soon.
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Sales Interview Questions Your Hiring Manager Will Love
When youre interviewing, its easy to think the hard parts over by the time the hiring manager asks, Do you have any questions for me?
But in reality, this is another chance for them to evaluate you.
Pose a question about salary or the vacation policy, and they might assume youre more interested in money or perks than the companys success. Say you dont have any questions, and theyll assume youre not curious.
So, what should you ask? The 16 questions below, sourced from real sales recruiters and hiring managers, make an excellent impression .
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Behavioral Sales Manager Interview Questions
Differing from typical experience-related topics, behavioral questions for sales manager interviews allow recruiters to understand how you work as a professional.
Behavioral questions for sales managers will explore your reasoning and response in workplace situations.
Recruiters place importance on your answers to behavioral interview questions as sales managers are responsible for a team.
When preparing for the behavioral section of the sales manager interview, reflect on your reasoning towards solving challenges in a professional environment.
How Do You Feel About Leading A Sales Team’
Applying for the role of a sales executive means you want a leadership position within the sales department. This question lets you tell the employer how you feel about the position, what motivates you as a leader and what you seek to achieve when heading a sales team. It may be beneficial to discuss how your skills and knowledge helped you perform in leadership positions in the past.
Example answer:’I have some experience leading sales projects in my previous position. Leadership involves working together with your team members to ensure success. I had brief meetings with my team members during those projects, discussing the best approach to achieve the desired results. Every team member made contributions, and I gave them all subtasks that targeted the final goal. As a leader, it was my job to assign responsibilities, monitor progress and report to the management. Building a good relationship with my colleagues ensured a smooth process.’
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Why Do You Want The Sales Manager Position
This is a simple question that all employers will ask. They want an honest answer that shows why youre the right candidate as well as what you bring to the table. This is a great time to show you have done your homework and understand the company. Also, its appropriate to bring up some examples where you stepped up as a leader.
Example: I enjoyed what I read about this company and your products. I am ecstatic at the possibility of working for you. I love working with teams and helping to guide them to give it their all every day because thats what I will do as the sales manager. I appreciate all the rave reviews about your products and want to help get your sales to the next level.
In my previous job, I was promoted to start a new sales team and got to choose team members. I looked at everyones personalities, experiences, strengths and weaknesses to create a team that would balance each other. I know I can succeed as the sales manager for this company and want the opportunity to show you how I can help this company reach new heights.
