As sales recruiters, we know there is always one sales interview question you can be certain you will be asked during a job interview. Some are generalized, some are based on skills and experience, and then there are questions that you could classify as troublesome.

Hiring managers tend to ask those pesky questions during the sales recruitment process to assess how fast an interviewee can think on their feet and how well they can sell themselves. Tricky questions can also cause ill-prepared candidates to stumble or reveal unflattering information about themselves.

These pesky questions also help hiring managers differentiate potential hires. Job candidates have come to expect and prepare for a variety of common sales interview questions. But canned answers don’t set interviewees apart from the rest. Hiring managers aren’t interested in rehearsed responses, and they’re looking for genuine answers.

With that being said, the sales interview question that many sales professionals struggle with the most is, “Why do you want to work in sales?”

You may hear other variations of the question, such as:

• What made you choose sales?
• What do you enjoy about working in sales?
• Why did you choose sales over other careers?
• How did you get into sales? Why did you stay in the industry?

Interviewers ask this question to gain insights into your level of commitment. If you got into sales because it was the only job available at the time, it shows you may not have the passion and commitment they are looking for in a candidate.

But if you got into sales because you have a passion and genuine interest in the industry, it could be a sign to the sales recruiter that you are a potential long-term fit. They want to understand your motivation and if you have the drive to be successful.