The clock is ticking, and you’re preparing to interview the first round of candidates for your account executive position. This process can be just as tiring and nerve-wracking for you as it is for the potential hire. But just as the interviewee has to prepare, you do too. We put together a list of ten account executive job interview questions to ask now. These prompts are great to use when conducting initial conversations to see if your company + the individual is a good fit.
Duties and Expectations of an Account Executive
As the hiring manager, you naturally know what is expected from an account executive. Keep the duties and expectations of an account exec in mind when going through candidates.
These individuals will be responsible for managing the day-to-day client activities and ensuring your company stays in the green with each client.
Try to imagine each candidate at your organization. Picture them fulfilling the tasks of an account executive, meeting with clients, pitching your services, and more. And studies even show that hiring a pleasant employee could be better than hiring a superstar.
10 Account Executive Job Interview Questions to Ask
Prepare for your next candidate search ahead of time and make a note of these ten account executive job interview questions to ask. It never hurts adding fresh content to your question pool.
Tell me your story.
This is a basic sales account exec job interview question to ask. But it’s very important! Ask the candidate to simply tell them your story as if you’re two friends meeting over coffee. Make this initial prompt as comfortable as possible to break the ice.
What stood out to you about our company during your research?
Instead of asking why the candidate wants to work for your company, phrase it like how we listed here. By doing so, you ask the same question (just worded differently) while gauging if the interviewee actually researched ahead of time.
What makes you feel the most satisfied on the job?
This account executive job interview question to ask is important because it shows how the candidate achieves a satisfied state in their career. This also helps you know if the position might be a good fit for the individual- based on what satisfies them or not.
What would you say are your top three strengths?
We recommend asking for at least three top strengths instead of one. The sales field requires a wide range of skills and talents. So, don’t limit the candidate by only asking for one strength.
What would you say is your biggest weakness?
On the flip side of the question above, we recommend asking for the individual’s biggest weakness. It is harder to think of our own downfalls than it is our strengths. And asking for one weakness allows the interviewee more time to elaborate on the weakness plus how they conquer it.
What are your salary expectations?
New hires are taught that discussing finances is a no-no during the interview. But we think this could be a helpful account executive job interview question to ask. As the hiring manager, this will be helpful for evaluating their expectations. And it’ll make the candidate feel comfortable discussing pay.
What are your personal goals for the next five years?
Does the potential hire have personal goals? If not, they might not be a good fit as a sales account manager.
What goals do you think you can accomplish by working with us?
Career goals are just as important as personal goals. And sales is a goal-oriented profession by nature. No matter what, one must have a goal to push them forward and bring value to themselves and the company.
Tell me about your sales experience.
This is another essential sales account executive job interview question to ask. The entire nature of the role is sales-based, so you want to ensure the hire has relevant knowledge or real-lie experience.
How do you build lasting relationships with clients?
Clients will stay with an organization because of the healthy, long-lasting relationship that has been built. And as an account executive, the client relationship is in their hands. Ensure they know the basics of relationship building.
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