Top 30 Sales And Marketing Interview Questions And Answers

Sales and marketing professions require a great number of skills, a specific growth mindset and customer communication. All these traits will be looked for in an applicant who applies for this role. You can not address all these elements however we can help you by providing you a basic set of questions that would make you stand out as an applicant:

What do you know about our company?

HOW TO ANSWER:

This question is to assess your knowledge about their company and what you have learnt about their requirements. Your preparation is being asked about here. They are trying to determine whether you would contribute to their team for a longer time or just someone who will fall out once you lose interest. To answer this you need to have a full research on this company and its projects and try to align those projects with your goals and knowledge.

ANSWER:

“I have a thorough knowledge of your most recent project ‘X’. The way it fulfils your target of market ‘Y’ and its success against your competitors ‘Z’.”

 

Tell us about yourself

 

HOW TO ANSWER.

The purpose of asking this question is to determine your ability to separate your professional and personal identity and how you would communicate about it. The answer to this will not only help them know you as an employee but also as a person individually.

ANSWER:

“My name is (your name). I have completed my bachelors degree from ( your institute name) and I am an Assistant sales representative currently.”

Give me an overview of your career to date.

HOW TO ANSWER:

This question is meant to assess your professional experiences and how much you know about the current role you are applying for. The answer to this should be short and to the point which covers all your previous job experiences and your learning from them.

ANSWER:

“Certainly! I have mainly worked in sales and marketing teams for the past 4 years of my professional career. I started as an intern as a research analyst for my first company and after completing my internship there I stayed as a permanent employee for about 11 months. My most recent role was of an Assistant sales representative, which mainly consisted of answering a customer’s queries regarding a product or giving brief introductions and descriptions of the product”.

 

What are your short to mid term career goals?

HOW TO ANSWER:

The purpose of this question is to identify your ambitions since being ambitious is the key to going further in your career. Being ambitious and proactive is the way they would be well aware of your ability to work harder.

Answer:

“My short term goal is to accomplish ‘X’ while I want to outdo myself in ‘Y’ motivations. By accomplishing these two, I want to set out to ‘Z’ goal which would be my ultimate peak to accomplish.”

 

Tell us how would you generate, develop and close sales opportunities?

 

HOW TO ANSWER:

This question is to pinpoint how you would actually be able to execute a sale or if you have the ability to even proceed with one. Start by telling them how you would prepare, recognize the target audience, convince the audience to actually buy the product and execute your overall strategy.

 

ANSWER:

“I would first identify what is my actual product and its usage and then gather a big enough audience through advertisements and references. Next, I would gather my target audience and show them the product after listening to their needs. I close the sales after gaining the customer’s full confidence in the product and reach a positive agreement”.

 

Describe your most significant sales to date.

This question is an opportunity to make a meaningful impression. They want to see how you imply your verbal strategies into your profession. This answer needs to be specific and professional as much as possible.

ANSWER:

“I had been looking for new avenues to explore and learn from, and after a long time of struggle and meeting up with new people, making calls and closing deals with newer clients not only boosted my relationships around the world but also landed me a six figure sale to one of the leading companies that I had sourced myself.”

 

Recall a time when you failed your goals and what went wrong? Also how do you think the outcome would have been different ?

HOW TO ANSWER:

People in the sales industry learn from their mistakes. They are able to identify their failures and shortcomings and try to rectify their errors to save them from future problems. The key to this answer is honesty, clearly stating your goal,why it was important to you, how you failed, who was involved and what you have done differently.

 

ANSWER:

“In the early days of my career, I could not meet the quota for the ‘X’ market. I tried to pinpoint my error and it turned out that I was looking at the situation from the wrong demographic view in terms of age and gender. I delved deeper into this problem and conducted a thorough research and realised I need to keep this strategy from then on.”

Why are you interested in this company and this role?

HOW TO ANSWER:

This question is aimed at your actual motivation behind being where you are and why you choose to work with them. Answer this by highlighting how their work brings strength to your role and how the company works is what convinced you to apply for this role.

 

ANSWER:

“The reason I was so eager to join your company was due to the captivating nature of your products which is exactly what I need currently to expand my skill set. Additionally, your dedication and enthusiasm towards your customers aligns with my purpose to actually go for this role  i.e, the efficient serving and satisfaction of customers.”

 

Remember a time when you could not go along with someone in your team. What would that person say about you?

HOW TO ANSWER:

Sales people are very taken with what they do. Employers of this position want to know if you can peacefully collaborate within a team and solve conflicts maturely and reasonably. Be clear in your answer and be responsible since they do not want someone who is too proud or arrogant to take responsibility.

 

ANSWER:

“During my last role, I worked with a peer who was genuinely the most intelligent person I had come across but we clashed occasionally due to us having completely different thought processors. I was more vocal about my ideas and open to feedback and he was more of an internal thought processor. All we needed to solve the clash once and for all was to sit together and talk to each other about our ideas and listen to them while actively giving feedback.”

 

How do you keep up with the most recent trends of the sales market?

HOW TO ANSWER:

Sales market is one of the fastest changing markets when it comes to trends. They may change from days to months and the salespeople need to keep up with these trends to successfully sell their product. Employers want someone who is fully aware of the simplest of changes in the market so in case of any change the sales people of the respective company are ready.

ANSWER:

“I am well aware of how fast trends change when it comes to products. One thing is in, then the other and then another one. The way I keep up with the recent trends is by doing a thorough research of the market and reading various publications to keep myself updated with any changes along with engaging with multiple marketeers on LinkedIn.”

 

Tell us about the toughest sale you have ever made.

 

HOW TO ANSWER:

Employers ask this question to give you a chance to describe an accomplishment, how you used your strategy and how well your quick thinking helps you. Answer this by keeping it simple and short, recall a time when you made your toughest sale and how.

 

ANSWER:

“There was this one time at an event where I could not help but overhear a gentleman concerned about marketing one of his products. Even though, originally I was not supposed to, I did it anyway and after several discussions, card exchanging, I landed the biggest sale of my entire career.”

 

How do you tell a client that the product is not for them?

HOW TO ANSWER:

This question directs your level of empathy and sheds light on your emotional capacity rather than physical. Often during sales, it is possible that you weigh all the options and want to meet the quota for the product but it somehow does not seem like the right fit for the client. Answer this question by stating how you diffused the situation and what approach did you take while also being assertive and strategic about it.

ANSWER:

“There was this one time, when I came to the conclusion that the offering of a product no longer aligned with the client. While I wanted to meet the quota for it and I outweighed all the options, I finally reached the conclusion to tell the client about this situation calmly and respectfully that they need to resort to other avenues for their requirements.”

 

What made you interested in sales?

 

HOW TO ANSWER:

This question again is a test for how much skin you got in the game. Is it just about making money for you or are you really sincere with your passion? Be very brief but concise with your answer and state your best interest in why you chose the role rather than just saying “i wanted the money”.

ANSWER:

“The reason I was interested in sales is because this market is best to see your hard work and problem solving pay off. The challenges of this market are quite enjoyable and I personally feel delighted that I could accomplish something by satisfying a customer’s needs”.

 

Do you think you can consider yourself a team player?

HOW TO ANSWER:

Employers want someone who can boost the morale of their team and keep up a positive work environment for all. This question is directed towards your ability to work in a team environment.

ANSWER:

“Yes! I find myself thriving in team set ups and love the chance to boost morale and share our milestones together. I can excel in both team and solo environments as per my latest experience”.

 

What is your strategy of building rapport with customers?

HOW TO ANSWER:

The most important thing while carrying out a sale is whether or not you have a convincing method of taking your customers into your trust and letting them gain confidence. Explain how you would build a connection with your customers through appropriate and respectful conversation and how you value good experiences for your customers.

ANSWER:

“Each customer is different from the other so it takes a different strategy to handle both. However, by listening to their needs I can easily customise my strategy for them and hold appropriate and inviting conversations while we conduct business.”

 

How do you deal with low sales?

HOW TO ANSWER:

Sales are not going to be the most profitable all the time and the manager wants to know what approach would you adopt to this situation. You need to explain how you would stay calm and lay a strategy to improve sales.

ANSWER:

“I would devise a strategy first and then target the audience for certain products through advertisements and commercials to help our recognition. I would basically step back from my previous strategy and calculate how far I am for the benchmark I set”.

 

How do you handle rejection?

HOW TO ANSWER:

Rejection is if not the most common and daily occurring thing in the sales market. Interviewers want to know how you would handle these situations and what kind of attitude you have during this.

ANSWER:

“While I take rejection [personally as anyone would, I do not let it bring me down. Instead I take it as a learning opportunity and try to diagnose where it went wrong and how it could be corrected”.

 

Tell us how do you ensure customer satisfaction after the completion of a sale?

HOW TO ANSWER:

Keeping customers on board and satisfied has to be the most vital and crucial part of a sales market. It is the customers and their social reviews and testimonies that would form the image of a product or market.

 

ANSWER:

“I ensure customer satisfaction by keeping reasonable expectations during the sales and remaining diligent during follow ups before and after the sale. Additionally,I seek feedback and reviews from the customers and incorporate them into my next sales”.

 

How do you feel about the use of AI in sales, due to its direct relation with job displacement?

 HOW TO ANSWER:

This question is to assess your ethical compass and willingness to adapt to different trends as they change with time. You will address the importance of AI and how you do not feel threatened by it, additionally use it to your advantage and show them your sense of responsibility.

ANSWER:

“There is no denying that AI has quite taken over and that also really quickly, however it is still an important tool at a salesman’s disposal. When it comes to viewing it as a threat, I really do not take it that way, rather I see it as a complement to my job. Of course, it has its negatives but that usually occurs when there is no responsible or unsupervised usage”.

 

Describe a time when you turned a ‘no ‘ into a ‘yes’.

HOW TO ANSWER:

This question again highlights your approach to rejection and how to handle it. Turning objection into an agreement is a well appreciated skill in the sales market. Highlight a specific time when this occurred and what strategy did you follow, how resilient you were in your reasoning and how you used your persuasive skills to achieve this.

ANSWER:

“During one of my previous roles, we had an agreement with a construction company for an upcoming project.However, due to their budget constraints they were reluctant to do so. I came up with a cost saving yet effective way to get the task done and along with that designed a special payment plan that catered according to their constraints. This generous and strategis step was appreciated and their ‘no’ turned into a ‘yes’.”

 

How do you face constant rejection or stay motivated during  slow periods?

HOW TO ANSWER:

This question is meant to pinpoint your determination and motivation when the odds are not in your favour. As it turns out that sales can be challenging as well or very tough to carry out due to multiple rejections. Incorporate a healthy mindset into your answer, while focusing on the positive parts of your job.

ANSWER:

“As a worker in sales departments, I am very well aware that sometimes it may be a slow process or may face rejections multiple times. I stay motivated by keeping a self improvement mindset and see what I have been missing out on. For example, if my sales are stopping due to lack of product knowledge I would indulge myself into the research with as much detail as I  can and then continue with my sales.”

 

What do you do to meet your sales expectations or exceed them?

HOW TO ANSWER:

This again is a question directed to your ability to come up with good strategies and how to implement them successfully.Discuss the importance of understanding the concept of task division and priority of those tasks and how to achieve them. 

ANSWER:

“While I understand the need to look at a bigger picture, I personally believe that I break down my Picture into smaller segments so that they are easily achievable, ultimately leading to a successful sale or even exceeding my expectations.”

 

Describe a time you had to sell a product that was new to you. How did you manage the sale and what was the outcome.

HOW TO ANSWER:

The key to this answer is adaptability. It is easy to work with a product that you are familiar with however in this market, you would find yourself in a situation where you are either completely new to the product or you may know little. Highlight the ability to possess quick thinking, being smart and attentive.

ANSWER:

“I have come across situations like these where I was new to the product in the start of my working days. I used to work in the kitchen gadgets section when suddenly one day it was required of me to close a sales deal for an electronic appliance. I quickly researched the gadget and its qualities and asked around to the respective team to guide me further about it. I kept a calm approach and made my through that challenge and eventually ended up making that sale successfully.”

 

One of your products is outdated and you are told to either discontinue it or upgrade it. What would your take be in this situation?

HOW TO ANSWER:

Your decision making skill is put to the test here. This question is meant to test whether you have the gall to accept whether or not your product is worth staying the market or would you come up with a way to live up to current standards.

ANSWER:

“Since discussed earlier about market trends, this eventually falls into that situation. There is no easy way around when this situation occurs and to combat such a case I would have to look into the newer market and the products competitive alternatives. What qualities or specifications do they possess and whether or not my product has the capability to be upgraded to that standard. If it happens to be so, I would immediately set into action for upgrading it and if it does not then I would have to let it go and search for better alternatives”.

 

How did you hear about us?

 

HOW TO ANSWER:

This is a general question and it requires a simple and generic answer. You might have heard of them through social media or through a friend. Just keep the answer casual and respectful.

ANSWER:

“It is not unknown to anyone about how well you serve your customers and that is what mainly made me feel that i should apply here. Along with that I searched up your company and it turned out that you were hiring nowadays so that is how I heard of you”.

 

How do you think you are a best fit or this role?

HOW TO ANSWER:

Since you are approaching the end of the interview, the questions may become general. However, this question an as an exception but your answer to this would determine your humble side and how well you think you can carry this role out. 

ANSWER:

“My vast experience in sales and my love for being able to satisfy my customers and clients is what makes me best for the role. I have an immense capability to persuade and communicate well about the product that I am about to sale is something that I have gained through my years of experience. Moreover, I dedicate myself entirely to the research of my products and their qualities along with their pros and cons which help me further make successful sales”.

 

What product would you personally want to own?

 

HOW TO ANSWER:

This question is technical and general but it will cover your best area of performance so highlight which products you are good at but do not only stick to one type.

 

ANSWER:

“In my opinion, I do extremely well with electronic gadgets and appliances due to my majors in technology. However, I am also very well capable of owning products of different natures such as skincare, medicine and simple home tools. Overall, if given a chance I would definitely go for electronic gadgets mainly.”

 

What do you as a salesperson see while buying a product?

HOW TO ANSWER:

This is going to be a tough question however it can be answered generally by adding in details that you might notice more clearly and intricately compared to regular customers.

ANSWER:

“Being in the position of a customer and possessing a mind of a salesperson really comes in handy when I have to buy something. I would say I see the longevity of a product along with it’s unique uses as compared to it’s alternative or counterparts. I guess it also highly depends on the product and it’s nature itself, but overall I would say I aim to check its sustainability and cost along with whether or not its use to me is worth its price.”

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What are your expectations from us?

HOW TO ANSWER:

This question is rather trick and straightforward at the same time. You can answer this by addressing your chance to learn and thrive while praising the work environment they provide and hope to excel in their team. 

ANSWER:

“I have really high expectations from your company when it comes to learning and having the opportunity to be a part of it’s excellence in customer service through high quality products and honesty. I look forward to experiencing a very comfortable and welcoming teamwork environment where I can learn from my senior peers and be helpful to my juniors.”

 

Do you have any questions for us?

 

HOW TO ANSWER:

A very general and light question. You can ask about the follow up interview or call and what they in general provide as benefits to their employees.

 

ANSWER:

“I would like to ask about when I should be expecting the follow up call or interview. Also I would be grateful if you told me a little something about your employee benefits.”

Conclusion

This market is extremely competitive and brutal if you do not make up your mark in it on time, hence be as well prepared as you can. Keep in mind to be respectful and humble but do not seem under confident or over confident.

Stay calm and be easy..just remember to go through the technical questions and keep your eye contact. You got nothing to worry about…go ahead and sell your skills like you would their products when you get hired. Good Luck!