Sales employers expect candidates to ask them questions during interviews. The hiring process is a two-way conversation. You are interviewing employers just as much as they are interviewing you. The goal for you, as a candidate, is to determine if a company is the right fit. Are they a company you want to work for? Do you share the same values? Do they fit within your career plan? You’ll need to ask them questions to get this answer.
Below, we’ll discuss how many questions you should prepare and outline some great questions to ask the hiring manager.
It is generally recommended that you have three to five strong questions planned to ask during your interview. Some of these questions may get answered during the interview, so it’s a good idea to have a number of questions.
Here is what sales candidates can ask sales employers to impress them:
Most companies operating in the same space will share some similarities. But there are also some differences. It is these differences that can make or break your interest in working for them. Understand what a potential sales employer can offer that is unique. What are their key differentiators?
Not all sales roles are created equally. Some roles are strictly selling, while others may require you to prospect and generate leads. Other jobs may also have a marketing component. It’s important for you to be clear about what your role entails and if this is in alignment with what you want to do.
If you work in sales, you’ll want to have a good grasp of how the company approaches sales. What strategies do they use? What is their philosophy? Does their sales approach match well with your skills, experience, and what you have done in the past?
The types of sales tools you will be able to use can make a big difference in your ability to thrive. If the company offers you minimal resources to work with, it could be a sign they are not that invested in their sales team.
Having professional development opportunities is important. So, you should ask about them. What types of programs are offered? How does management support the sales team? What types of coaching is offered? How have people internally worked their way up the ranks?
Asking these types of questions will show that you have a genuine interest in working for the company. It will also show you are well prepared and have done your research.
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With a background successfully leading sales teams (overseeing training & development, driving sales & revenue, and ensuring delivery of exceptional customer service while executing cost control), Brandon is a sales recruiter with a solid understanding of what it takes to succeed in sales leadership role, as well as the challenges faced by hiring managers in finding top sales talent.