Sample Interview Questions to be Prepared for

Interviewing for a sales position is a selling exercise itself, where the product you hope to sell is you. While general mental preparation for the interview is essential, being ready for specific questions can make it a less harrowing experience.

Here's your chance to practice for the big day. The sample interview questions below will serve up some of the most common sales interview questions in random order, giving you the chance to think about potential answers.

• How would your customers describe you as their sales representative?

• How would you describe your personality?

• How do you qualify your prospects?

• What are your favourite sales-related books?

• Sell me this pen.

• What was your biggest failure? What did you learn from it?

• What do you do personally for your professional development?

• What type of sales cycle do you prefer: A long one for a big-ticket item or a series of smaller, more frequent sales? Why?

• What is the largest group you've presented to, externally or internally?

• What attracted you to this company?

• Describe a time you led a group of people. What were the challenges you faced? How did you handle these challenges?

• What do you like and dislike about making presentations, and why?

• How do you organise a presentation?

• What did you like and dislike about the products or services you've sold before, and why?

• Describe a situation in which you made a mistake handling a client or prospect. How did you react?

• How would your co-workers and managers describe you and the work you do?

• What kind of skills do you think one needs to close a sale?

• What do you think are the key issues in negotiating a sale?

• What are some of the challenges you see facing the particular type of sales this company is involved in?

• Do you have any questions for me?