Sales professionals you ROCK! You drive revenue for businesses across industries, you make things HAPPEN!
But, do you also leave things like interview preparation till the last minute? Many of my sales professional coaching clients do.
Why? Because they rely on their ability to think on their feet. Ever sound familiar?
Ok well, well done for looking for this information today. You’re planning ahead, EXCELLENT!
Let’s help you pass HireVue and get your next job!
When hiring for sales positions, companies often use HireVue, an AI-powered video interviewing platform, to assess candidates’ skills, experience, and fit for the role. (What is HireVue? Find our HERE)
Here are 20 common HireVue interview questions around sales abilities to help you prepare to get that new sales job.
- Tell us about a time when you had to sell a product to a customer who was initially hesitant to buy. This question is designed to assess your ability to overcome objections and close sales. Be sure to provide a specific example and describe the techniques you used to persuade the customer to make a purchase.
- How do you prioritize your sales leads and prospects? Sales professionals must be able to manage their pipeline effectively and focus on the most promising opportunities. Be prepared to discuss your process for prioritizing leads and prospects based on factors such as their level of interest, budget, and buying timeline.
- What do you think are the most important qualities for a successful salesperson? This question gives you the opportunity to showcase your knowledge of the key skills and traits needed to excel in sales. Some of the most important qualities include excellent communication skills, a results-driven mindset, and the ability to build relationships with clients and customers.
- Describe your experience with developing and implementing sales strategies. Sales strategies can vary widely depending on the industry, company, and product or service being sold. Be prepared to discuss your experience with creating and executing successful sales plans, including tactics such as cold calling, networking, and referral programs.
- Give an example of how you have successfully negotiated a sale. Negotiation is a critical skill for sales professionals, who must be able to find mutually beneficial solutions that meet both the buyer’s and the seller’s needs. Be prepared to describe a specific negotiation you were involved in and how you approached it.
- How do you handle rejection and overcome objections in sales? Rejection and objections are an inevitable part of sales, so it’s important to have a strategy for handling them. Be prepared to discuss your approach to overcoming objections and maintaining a positive attitude in the face of rejection.
- Describe a sales pitch you created that was particularly effective. This question gives you the opportunity to showcase your creativity and sales skills. Be prepared to describe a specific pitch you created and how it helped you close a sale or build a relationship with a client.
- What is your experience with using CRM systems and other sales tools? Customer relationship management (CRM) systems and other sales tools can help sales professionals manage their pipeline, track leads and prospects, and automate tasks such as email outreach. Be prepared to discuss your experience with using these tools and how they have helped you succeed in sales.
- Tell us about a time when you exceeded your sales targets or quotas. Sales targets and quotas are a key performance indicator for sales professionals. Be prepared to discuss a specific time when you exceeded your targets and how you achieved that success.
- How do you manage your sales pipeline and ensure a consistent flow of leads? Managing your sales pipeline effectively is critical to maintaining a consistent flow of leads and closing sales. Be prepared to discuss your approach to managing your pipeline, including how you track leads, prioritize opportunities, and nurture relationships with clients and customers.
- Describe your experience with conducting market research and analysis to inform sales strategies. Market research and analysis can provide valuable insights into customer needs, market trends, and competitor activity. Be prepared to discuss your experience with conducting research and how it has informed your sales strategies.
- How do you build and maintain relationships with clients and customers? Building and maintaining strong relationships with clients and customers is a key part of sales success. Be prepared to discuss your approach to relationship-building, including how you stay in touch with clients and customers, address their needs and concerns, and maintain a positive and professional demeanor.
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- Tell us about a time when you had to handle a difficult or angry customer. Sales professionals must be able to handle challenging situations with customers, including those who may be unhappy or upset. Be prepared to discuss a specific example and how you approached the situation to resolve the issue and maintain a positive relationship with the customer.
- How do you stay motivated and driven in your sales role? Sales can be a challenging and high-pressure field, so it’s important to have strategies for staying motivated and focused on your goals. Be prepared to discuss your approach to motivation, including any techniques you use to stay energized and engaged in your work.
- Can you give an example of a time when you successfully upsold or cross-sold a product or service? Upselling and cross-selling are important techniques for increasing revenue and building relationships with clients and customers. Be prepared to describe a specific example of how you used these techniques to achieve success in your sales role.
- How do you stay up-to-date on industry trends and developments? Staying informed about industry trends and developments can help sales professionals stay ahead of the curve and identify new opportunities for growth. Be prepared to discuss your approach to staying informed, including any resources or publications you rely on.
- How do you balance the needs of your clients with the goals of your company? Sales professionals must be able to balance the needs of their clients and customers with the goals of their company, including revenue targets and profitability. Be prepared to discuss your approach to finding mutually beneficial solutions that meet both sets of needs.
- Describe a time when you had to think creatively to close a sale. C’mon, you’ve done this before. Creative thinking is be a valuable asset for sales professionals, who may need to find innovative solutions to overcome obstacles and win over clients and customers. Be prepared to discuss a specific example of how you used creative thinking to achieve a successful sale.
- How do you handle competing priorities and deadlines in your sales role? Sales professionals face competing priorities and deadlines everyday, so it’s important to have effective time management and prioritization skills. Be prepared to discuss your approach to managing your workload and ensuring that you meet your goals and deadlines.
- How do you handle rejection and failure in sales? We’ve all had them right! Rejection and failure are an inevitable part of sales, so it’s important to have a resilient and positive attitude. Be prepared to discuss your approach to handling rejection and failure, including any techniques you use to stay motivated and focused on your goals.
I would tell you to remain positive all the way through…but you already are right! Because that’s what we sales profesionlas are all about. You’ve won half the battle already. Now prepare and practice clear concise questions and you’ll do GREAT!
Want our top tips on preparing for a HireVue interview? 15 top tips on HireVue preparation here
Learn 8 common HireVue questions HERE
