20 Sales Interview Questions: Top Questions to Prepare for Success

Sales interviews can be very challenging, even with thorough preparation. However, you can increase your chances of success with the right guidance, support, and strategy. Preparing for the top Sales Interview Questions will help you understand the questions from the interviewer's perspective, and you can prepare sample answers to the most frequently asked questions.  

According to a Report by Sales Insights Lab in 2022, a top Sales performer’s contribution on a discovery call accounts for over 49 per cent of the whole conversation with the client. The same report revealed that they speak more slowly than their inexperienced counterparts. Further, explore this blog on Sales Interview Questions and learn about the most frequently asked questions and their sample answer to prepare yourself to crack the interview. 

Table of Contents 

1) Importance of Sales Interview Questions 

2) Exploring the Top 20 Sales Interview Questions and answers 

      a) Why are you seeking a new role? 

      b) What do you know about our company? 

      c) Tell us something more about yourself. 

      d) Why are you looking for a new role? 

      e) Please tell us about your short and mid-term career goals. 

      f) How can you generate, develop and close sales opportunities? 

      g) What is your most significant sales achievement to date? 

       h) How do you keep up with the recent industry trends in sales? 

       i) What are your strategies for prospecting new clients? 

       j) How do you handle working under pressure in a sales environment? 

3) How to prepare for a Sales Job Interview 

a) Research the company and industry 

b) Understand the job role and requirements 

4) Conclusion 

Importance of Sales Interview Questions

Extensive research and preparation using mock questions will get you a long way in gaining confidence before and during the Sales interview. Here is a list of factors why practising interview questions is important:

1) Assessing sales skills: Sales Interview Questions allow employers to evaluate a candidate's sales skills and abilities. Employers can gauge the candidate's knowledge and expertise in the field by asking specific questions related to sales scenarios, objections, and strategies. 

2) Predicting performance: Sales Interview Questions help employers predict the candidates’ performance in real-life sales situations. Employers can gain insights into their problem-solving abilities and adaptability by assessing how candidates handle challenging scenarios, objections, or negotiation situations. 

3) Cultural fit: Sales Interview Questions also provide an opportunity to assess the candidate's alignment with the company's culture and values. Questions about motivation, teamwork, and customer focus help employers determine if the candidate will fit well within the sales team and contribute to the company's overall goals. 

4) Customer-centric approach: Sales Interview Questions enable employers to evaluate the candidate's customer-centric approach. Employers can determine through various questions if the candidate possesses the necessary skills to provide excellent customer service and drive customer satisfaction. These questions can cover topics like relationship building, customer needs assessment, and handling difficult customers. 

5) Communication and presentation skills: Sales Interview Questions allow employers to assess the candidate's communication and presentation skills. They can ask candidates to explain their sales strategies, give examples of successful sales campaigns, or handle objections. Moreover, employers can evaluate the candidate's ability to articulate ideas clearly, engage clients effectively, and present a compelling sales pitch. 

6) Problem-solving abilities: Sales Interview Questions help employers evaluate the candidate's problem-solving abilities. Employers can quiz the candidates about challenging sales situations and how the candidate overcame them. These questions help them assess their critical thinking, decision-making, and adaptability skills, which are crucial in the dynamic sales environment. 

7) Motivation and drive: Sales Interview Questions enable employers to gauge the candidate's motivation and drive to succeed in a sales role. Through questions about target achievement, self-motivation, and strategies for overcoming rejection, employers can assess if the candidate possesses the resilience and determination necessary for sales success.