Customer Sale Representative

Certain companies and roles call for people better at farming or hunting, but look out for a person who performs one of these tasks to the exclusion of the other. Both are vital to selling well.

This sales interview question serves two purposes: it shows how much research the candidate did before meeting with you, and it demonstrates their creative thinking and entrepreneurial capabilities.

Short cycles call for reps that can close quickly, and long sales cycles require a much more careful, tailored approach. They're drastically different, and your candidate should recognize this.

Commission, while perhaps part of the motivation, is not a great response to this question.

Appraise the person's attitude towards rejection. Do they need time to shake off an unpleasant conversation? Or do they bounce back immediately?

Everyone has bad spells, so beware of someone who claims they've never experienced a downturn. Nothing's wrong with a temporary slump as long as the candidate learned from it.

Listen for synonyms of "helpful," as a consultative approach is becoming increasingly important in modern sales.

If their least favorite part is the most important part at your company, that's probably a red flag. This question can also alert you to weak areas.

Depending on your company's goals, either answer could be the right one. But beware of reps who will prioritize quota over truly giving customers what they need -- or withholding from them what they don't.

Listen for whether they answer with a description of an ideal buyer, or a particular demographic with no tie-in to the buying process. Depending on your product or service, the second type of response might pose a problem.

While this technically isn't a question, it's important to assess whether the candidate has a helpful demeanor.

Describe your style. Put your best foot forward - if applicable, use words such as friendly, enthusiastic, informed, quick, patient, and lucid.

These are just some of the commonly asked interview questions for customer service representatives.

Even if the target market of their last job is totally different than that of the one they're interviewing for, this will show you their ability to find and keep up to date with relevant trade publications and blogs.

You can relate success stories and any interesting interactions you had with clients, especially if it portrays good customer service skills. Explain how you have solved problems and created positive relationships with customers.

The ability to negotiate and sell products may be an important part of the job. If so, mention any experience with selling, telemarketing and promotions.

Mention profitable product sales, positive/fruitful customer instruction, customer care with patience and any communication which leads to improved customer service or a sale.

The employer would like to know - what is your former sales experience?

What industries or institutions have you worked for in the past? What is your technical experience? What type of products have you sold? Do you meet your customers? How often?

It is good practice to supply any existing documentation not otherwise supplied with your resume. Any forms, newsletters, presentations, online marketing material, graphs or infomercials you have created, or any letters from satisfied clients will be well received.

List whatever tasks you perform each day. Some of these may be among them: Answering requests, responding to calls, maintaining and updating records, providing service information, dealing with misapplied payments and billing.

It is best to prepare answers you can easily and briefly relate.

Detail your capability to handle a tough situation. Your confidence in problem solving should be narrated as well, with a suitable anecdote portray yourself in a positive light, without arrogance.

Give details of a sales related challenge, explain why you proceeded as you did, and end with the successful result.

It is most impressive to have a solid forecast on paper.

Just speculating in regards to any of these questions is not advised. The sounder your presentation is, the more confident your prospective employer will be in giving you this opportunity. Review your presentation with colleagues who will critique and improve your rendition.