Share what you know with millions of people
Focus is the best place to turn what you know into remarkable content
0
What are some questions that you ask when doing interviews with potential sales reps?
What are some key questions you ask in your interviews for sales positions? I like to make sure they are ambitious and eager and aren't going to get discouraged with the job.
Events
- Dos and Don'ts of Small Business Marketing May 29 @ 11 am PT
- Lead Nurturing 202: The Next Generation May 31 @ 11 am PT
- The Tricks to Paid Media June 6 @ 11 am PT
- Display Advertising for Brand Awareness June 20 @ 11 am PT
Related Activity
5 Answers
There are many questions to ask. But my favorite questions are:
Describe your current boss (supervisor)?
Describe the worst boss that you ever had?
Describe the best boss that you ever had?
I like these type of questions because it can give you a sense of trust and attitude that you could expect from this person. You can judge the answers any way you like. I look to see if someone will become very negative with these answers. This could indicate an attitude that would not have the right kind of effect for you and your organization.
I always ask for examples.
If you ask; how would you describe yourself with three words?
Always ask them to describe the words so that you both understand them the same way.
If they say they are disciplined, ask them to prove it.
If they are ambitious, ask how.
And so on.
This way I get a better look at their personality.
I think the real defining moment of the interview is the questions they have for you. A good rep will have done research and be prepared with intelligent questions. Almost any rep can fire back canned responses to generic questions.
The way you phrased your question though leads me to believe you're experiencing a high turnover rate. What products/services do you sell and what type of rep are you looking for?
Here are a few to consider:
Outline a typical day and week for me.
What sales results did you achieve at your last job?
Have you ever experienced a slump in sales? If so, what did you do to break it?
Why should I hire you?
Hope these help.
Kelley
Because of some great HR folks I've had the pleasure of being around over the years, I believe in behavioral interviewing questions, since so much of past behavior is indicitave of future behavior.
Examples: "tell me about a time when you....(got out of a sales slump) - thanks Kelley for that inspiration -
or .....worked until you achieved something you'd planned on
or.... came to an agreement with a problem customer...
I also like to ask about what someone's personal, professional, and/or life goals are because you can get a bigger picture of who they are and what they are all about.
Answer This Question