Top Sales Manager Interview Questions with Example Answers [2022]

Prepare for your Sales Manager interview by going through these most asked Sales Manager interview questions. Additionally, get access to sample answers and interviewer's expectations.

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  • Question: If you get a higher degree are you still willing to work for us?
  • Question Overview: A higher degree is a valuable asset for a sales manager, but it's not the only asset. A candidate with a higher degree might have more options in the job market, but that doesn't mean he or she won't be a good fit for your company. A candidate with a higher degree might be more willing to accept a lower salary, but that doesn't mean he or she won't be a good fit for your company. A candidate with a higher degree might be more willing to accept a lower salary, but that doesn't mean he or she won't be a good fit for your company.

    Sample Answer: I am willing to work for you even if I get a higher degree.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Willingness to accept lower salary
    • - Willingness to accept lower salary
    • - Willingness to accept lower salary

  • Question: What are your strengths and weaknesses?
  • Question Overview: This is a critical question for a sales manager. A candidate should be able to describe his or her strengths and weaknesses in a positive way. The applicant should focus on the positive aspects of his or her experience and personality.

    Sample Answer: My strengths are my ability to build relationships with clients and my ability to manage a team. My weaknesses include my inability to work alone and my tendency to procrastinate.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Ability to describe strengths and weaknesses
    • - Evidence of personal growth
    • - Willingness to embrace the company's culture

  • Question: Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
  • Question Overview: This is a critical question for any sales manager candidate. A good answer shows that the candidate has a clear vision of his or her career path and is willing to work hard to achieve it. The candidate should be able to explain how the job fits into the overall career plan.

    Sample Answer: I see myself as a regional sales manager with a clear path to the top. I want to be recognized as an expert in my field and enjoy the challenge of helping others succeed.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Clear vision of future goals
    • - Evidence of long-term career goals
    • - Willingness to work hard to achieve goals

  • Question: How would you describe yourself?
  • Question Overview: A candidate's self-description is a good indicator of his or her personality. It's important to know whether the applicant is a team player, a good communicator, a leader or a follower.

    Sample Answer: I'm a team player who works well with others and can communicate effectively.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Self-description
    • - Ability to explain how the candidate works with others

  • Question: How do you coach your team?
  • Question Overview: Coaching is a critical part of a sales manager's job. It's important to have a clear strategy for coaching and mentoring your team members. A good sales manager will have a strategy for coaching new hires, experienced salespeople and even support staff. Coaching can be done in one-on-one meetings, group meetings or one-on-one training sessions.

    Sample Answer: I hold one-on-one meetings with each new hire to introduce them to the company and explain the sales process. I hold weekly team meetings to review sales results and discuss challenges.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Strategy for coaching new hires
    • - Mentoring experienced salespeople
    • - Coaching support staff

  • Question: Tell me about your self.
  • Question Overview: This is a simple question that can be difficult to answer. The candidate should focus on the positive aspects of his or her personality and professional background. The applicant should avoid negative comments about previous employers and colleagues.

    Sample Answer: I'm a hard worker who enjoys challenges and learning new skills. I'm a team player who enjoys helping others succeed.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Positive self-image
    • - Evidence of personal growth
    • - Willingness to embrace the company's culture

  • Question: Why do you want to work for us?
  • Question Overview: This is an important question for a sales manager candidate. A good answer shows that the applicant has researched the company and is interested in the position. The candidate should be able to describe the company's products and services and express enthusiasm for the position.

    Sample Answer: I am interested in the company's products and services. I am excited about the opportunity to work with your team.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Knowledge of company's products and services
    • - Evidence of research into the company
    • - Evidence of enthusiasm for the position

  • Question: What do you know about WeWork?
  • Question Overview: This is a question that tests the candidate's knowledge of the company. It's important to know the company's history, its products and services, and its goals. The candidate should be able to discuss the company's culture and how it relates to the job.

    Sample Answer: WeWork is a global provider of shared workspaces and community for entrepreneurs, freelancers and startups. The company was founded in 2010 in New York City.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Knowledge of company history
    • - Products and services
    • - Goals
    • - Culture

  • Question: What made you want to work with us?
  • Question Overview: This is a critical question for a sales manager candidate. The applicant should be able to explain the company's products and services and express enthusiasm for the company's mission. A good sales manager candidate should be able to explain why he or she wants to work with the company.

    Sample Answer: I want to work with your team because I know your products are innovative and your company is committed to customer satisfaction.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Knowledge of the company's products and services
    • - Ability to express enthusiasm for the company's mission
    • - Willingness to explain why the candidate wants to work with the company

  • Question: What do you understand by luxury?
  • Question Overview: Luxury is a broad concept, and the candidate should be able to explain the concept in relation to the company's product or service. Luxury is a broad concept, and the candidate should be able to explain the concept in relation to the company's product or service. Luxury is a broad concept, and the candidate should be able to explain the concept in relation to the company's product or service. Luxury is a broad concept, and the candidate should be able to explain the concept in relation to the company's product or service.

    Sample Answer: Luxury is a broad concept, and the candidate should be able to explain the concept in relation to the company's product or service. Luxury is a broad concept, and the candidate should be able to explain the concept in relation to the company's product or service. Luxury is a broad concept, and the candidate should be able to explain the concept in relation to the company's product or service. Luxury is a broad concept, and the candidate should be able to explain the concept in relation to the company's product or service.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Knowledge of luxury products and services
    • - Knowledge of luxury products and services
    • - Knowledge of luxury products and services
    • - Knowledge of luxury products and services

  • Question: How do you deal with customer service?
  • Question Overview: This is a critical question for a sales manager. A candidate's ability to handle customer service issues is a key indicator of his or her ability to manage a team. A good manager should be able to resolve customer issues quickly and efficiently.

    Sample Answer: I worked with the customer service department to resolve issues. I also worked with the sales team to ensure that they were aware of the issue and could resolve it.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Ability to resolve customer issues
    • - Knowledge of customer service policies
    • - Ability to communicate with customers

  • Question: Walk me through your previous work experience.
  • Question Overview: A candidate's work experience is a critical part of the interview process. The applicant should focus on the most relevant experience and avoid digressing into unrelated jobs. It's important to focus on the positive aspects of previous employment and avoid negative comments.

    Sample Answer: I worked for a large company and was promoted to sales manager after two years. I was responsible for managing a team of five salespeople and supporting the sales process.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Clear evidence of work experience
    • - Evidence of work-related skills
    • - Evidence of leadership skills

  • Question: What is the biggest challenge you face in a professional sales environment?
  • Question Overview: This is a critical question for a sales manager. The candidate should be able to explain the challenges of the job and how they overcame them. The most important challenges are time management, prioritizing tasks and managing a team.

    Sample Answer: The biggest challenge is time management. I prioritize tasks and delegate to support staff as needed.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Challenges of the sales environment
    • - How the candidate overcame challenges

  • Question: What is your experience with working with tough clients, how would you react to rejection or a very long sales process.
  • Question Overview: A sales manager's ability to work with difficult clients is critical to the success of the team. A candidate's ability to work with rejection and long sales processes is also important. An effective manager should be able to explain how he or she would handle a difficult client and a long sales process.

    Sample Answer: I worked with difficult clients and long sales processes. I was able to adapt my approach and close deals.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Ability to work with difficult clients
    • - Ability to work with rejection
    • - Ability to work with long sales processes

  • Question: How will you gain more business in our markets?
  • Question Overview: This is a critical question for a sales manager. The applicant should have a clear strategy for increasing sales in the company's markets. The candidate should be able to describe a plan for increasing sales and closing deals.

    Sample Answer: I will increase business by hosting events and trade shows to generate leads and support. I will also use social media to reach new markets.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Clear strategy for increasing sales
    • - Evidence of past success in increasing sales
    • - Evidence of past success in closing deals

  • Question: Are you comfortable with direct sales?
  • Question Overview: A sales manager should be comfortable with direct sales, especially if the company is in the business of selling products or services directly to customers. The candidate should be able to explain how he or she would handle a direct sales team.

    Sample Answer: I am comfortable with direct sales and have experience working with a team of direct sellers. I know how to motivate them and encourage them to close deals.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Comfort with direct sales
    • - Knowledge of direct sales methods
    • - Ability to explain how to handle a direct sales team

  • Question: How will you sell our product?
  • Question Overview: A sales manager must be able to sell the company's products and services. The candidate should be able to explain how he or she will sell the company's products and services. The applicant should also be able to explain how he or she will sell the company's products and services to new clients.

    Sample Answer: I will use my knowledge of the product to educate potential clients. I will also use my knowledge of the product to educate current clients about new features and benefits.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Clear strategy for selling the product
    • - Evidence of past success in selling products
    • - Willingness to embrace the company's culture

  • Question: What reports do you use and how?
  • Question Overview: Sales managers use reports to track sales performance and to identify areas for improvement. It's important that the candidate is familiar with the reports and can describe how they are used.

    Sample Answer: I use the CRM report to track leads and sales. I use the lead report to identify opportunities and the sales report to identify top sellers.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Knowledge of reports
    • - Ability to explain how reports are used
    • - Ability to explain how reports are used to improve sales performance

  • Question: When can you join us?
  • Question Overview: This is a simple question that requires a simple answer. The candidate should be able to provide a specific start date and a clear end date for the job.

    Sample Answer: I can start on May 1 and finish on August 31.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Clear start and end dates