Sample Job Interview Questions for Sales and Marketing Jobs
By Annette Lewis
A career in Sales, Marketing and PR can be lucrative, exciting and interesting for those with the right temperament. This article contains a sample of the types of interview questions you will encounter in interviews for positions such as:
Sales Executive, Sales Representative, Sales Agent Sales Advisor Sales Manager Account Manager Head of Sales.
We also include sample interview questions for Marketing and PR jobs such as Marketing Assistant, Marketing Co-Ordinator, Marketing Manager, PR Assistant and PR Manager.
Most interviews in this sector will follow a standard structure which includes, The Introduction, followed by Setting the Scene, then Exploration, Selling and finally Closure.
For entry level Sales positions you may be asked to attend an Assessment Centre where you would take part in role plays, case studies and group exercises, the results of which will determine whether you are asked to a formal interview.
You will find that many employers are now using Competency Based Interviewing techniques when recruiting for Legal jobs. For Sales positions expect Competency Based and Behavioural questions exploring competencies such as:
- Excellent interpersonal skills
- Good planning and organisation skills
- Excellent communication and persuasion skills
- Determined and enthusiastic
- Ability to build relationships and make sales
Core competencies required in Marketing jobs include:
- Strong Analytical Thinking skills
- Ability to carry out research and develop plans
- Excellent communication skills
- An ability to build and maintain relationships
For each of the above you should expect 3-4 questions along with standard questions exploring your legal training and qualifications, reasons for choosing your career and reasons for applying.
For interviews for Sales and Marketing Management positions you should expect questions exploring:
- Your ability to motivate and inspire a team
- Your record with delivering against targets
- Skills with developing and building relationships with clients
- An ability to develop new sales leads, products and markets
Sample Interview Questions For Sales and Marketing Interviews
The questions will vary depending on the job, the employer and the interviewer but here is a sample of interview questions for a variety of Sales and Marketing roles. How would you answer?
Interview Question 2: 'How would you go about persuading a customer that our product was better than any other?'
Interview Question 3: 'Describe your sales technique and tell me about a time when this was successful.'
Interview Question 4: 'Tell me about a time when you had to communicate complex information. What was the situation, what approach did you take and what was the result?'
Interview Question 5: 'Describe a time when you used your skills to persuade a manager or colleague to accept your recommendations.'
Interview Question 6: 'What steps would you take to nurture commercial awareness and a sales focus in a customer service team?'
* Questions taken from the InterviewGOLD™ Interview System. Click here for more.
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About the Author
Annette Lewis is an accredited interviewer and has recruited for many organisations
within Healthcare, Education, Customer Services and Banking.
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To help you succeed in Sales and Marketing Interviews, I recommend the Online InterviewGOLD™ Interview System.
- Arrive Fully Prepared, calm and confident
- Know Exactly What to Expect
- Communicate Easily and Fluidly
- Answer Tough Questions Easily
- Avoid Common Mistakes
- Sell Yourself Effectively and Win
