Sales interview questions and answers

How will you introduce yourself to the customer ?

Customers are the backbone of an organization. As a sales person, you should know how to handle their queries in a proper way.

Be gentle and try to pay attention to the needs of the customer rather than focusing on your skills.

What are the important traits a candidate needs to succeed in a sales job?

These are a few traits that candidates need to have to succeed in sales profession –

– They have to be highly confident. A sales person should maintain a high confidence level and convince the customers.

– They should have the ability to persuade a customer to buy a product.

– They should have an effective communication skill and should be passionate about their profession.

– They should set goals and should be focused in order to achieve their targets.

– A sales person should be well disciplined. They meet people from different walks of life. They should be polite and should try to avoid conflict with the customers.

It is said that Smile and Patience are two vital aspects of a sales job. What is your opinion ?

Yes, it is absolutely right.

You should have a pleasant personality in order to impress your customer. Make sure that you talk to them with a smile on your face. It will create a friendly atmosphere between you and your client. Your one smile can make them feel comfortable.

Having patience is another important aspect of a sales job. You meet customers with different attitude each day. Attend to their queries patiently. Do not express any sort of dissatisfaction. Always remember, having patience will give good results at the end.

Why did you opt for sales as a career?

When you are asked this question by the interviewer, explain the skills that you posses. Also, mention your requirements. Given below are a few skills and requirements:

Skills – good communication, interest in traveling, art of persuasion

Requirements – salary based on performance, etc.

Understanding your skills and requirements in a better way will help you answer this question.

What is the definition of sale ? To sell anything, you need to sell your skills first. What do you understand from this statement?

A business or an activity that involves selling of goods and services is known as sales. Sales is the final stage in marketing and it involves 4 Ps (place, product, price and promotion).

You are the one who increases the number of customers by convincing and persuading them to buy a product or service. Mention your skills because the interviewer might be eager to know them. Also, rate your skills which are required in the field of sales.

What is target oriented sales?

When an organization aims for a specified amount of sales to be achieved within a specific time frame, it is known as target oriented sales. The harder you work, the more you achieve.

How do you maintain your relationship with your old customers?

Tell the interviewer about the qualities that you possess and which help you build a strong bond with the customers. The company would be interested to know the techniques or styles that you would apply to maintain good relations with your customers.

Maintaining relations with the new and the existing customers is not an easy task. You should never forget your old customers. They are the strength of your organization. Keeping good relations with your old customers would strengthen the organization.

Is it comfortable to work under a team leader?

You should make yourself comfortable when you work under a team leader. He/She is one who provides directions or instructions to a group of individuals in order to achieve certain goals.

You will gain many benefits and knowledge while you work under a team leader. He/She will help you to rectify your mistakes. He will constantly guide you to achieve your goal by giving feedback every time. It will also help you know the role and responsibilities of a team leader. In future, you may become one.

Which type of salary is the best in the sales industry – a fixed one or a salary based on incentives?

A fixed salary does not vary from month to month, whereas, a salary based on incentives may vary as it depends on the performance of an employee.

Salary based on incentives is the best in the sales industry rather than a fixed one. It motivates the employees to achieve their goals. The technique of convincing and persuading a customer varies from one sales person to another. So, the salary is paid according to the performance of an employee.

Share one incident where the sales job would be a learning experience for you?

Sales job involves a lot of work. It would also prove to be a great learning experience for you.