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Sample Interview Questions for you (interviewee) to ask
Interviews are as much about you challenging your potential employer as it is about your potential employer judging you. Here are sample interview questions for the interviewee to ask.
You need to know if this career move is good for you.
A root and stem analysis of your interviewer’s company is impossible in one interview, but it is essential you get as much information out of your interviewer for you to make a genuinely authentic and realistic judgement on the suitability of this role for you.
In essence, an interview is designed for you to make a value judgement on this company being able to support your life, not just your career. You deserve to be able to enjoy your work, to be able to grow and develop as a person and as a professional. Use the interview to learn how this value is supported and given to you.
Sales professionals are, by nature, very driven professionals, able to reach for targets and hit them. Our advice is put your Sales Hat on when you reach the point in the interview where you get to ask questions: focus on your needs, your product (which is you!) and your cost and value. Is it a worthwhile trade for your labour?
So what are the most common questions you (interviewee) will be asked in a Sales interview?
Break your interview questions down into 4 sections: Company related, Management related, Position related and Interview related.
Company Related
- What are your company strengths in your eyes?
- According to my research, ___________, ___________, and ___________ are listed as your competitors. Who is the strongest in your view and why?
- What is the company’s focus this year?
- What are the company’s goals over the next 3 years/5 years/10 years?
- Can you define your company culture?
- What do you see as technological breakthroughs in the next few years?
Management Related
- What are the characteristics of your best performers in your company?
- How long have you been with the company?
- What has been your progression with the company?
- What are the realistic chances for advancement in the company, and how do you mentor the next batch of leaders or managers?
- What benchmarks do you use in evaluating staff, sales and results?
Position Related
- Can you break down your weekly workload for this position?
- Can you elaborate on the initial training that I will receive and additional training during the first year?
- How does our product differ from our competitors?
- Why is the position available? (If a replacement, why is the person being replaced? If replacement for lack of achievement, what did the person do wrong or not do?)
- What are realistic first year earnings for your top 20% performers, as this is where my history has ranked me in my present position?
Interview Related
- When would you like to see the position filled?
- Is there any skills testing or pre-employment training to be done?
- When would that scheduled training be?
- Is this a multi-stage interview, and if so, can you advise how future interviews are organized?
- When should I follow up with you/my sales recruiter’s search consultant?
- Based on our conversation, do you believe I have the experience and skills to proceed to the next stage of the interview process?
- How do I compare with your other candidates?
- How many candidates are you interviewing for this position?