Interviewing for a Sales Job? Here are 3x3 Questions YOU should ask THEM

“Now, do you have any questions for me?”?

Sits awkwardly in silence, eyes shifty, demeanor uncomfortable.

FADE TO BLACK

Don’t be that person. One thing we consistently hear from hiring managers that sets apart excellent, memorable candidates is that they ask thoughtful questions.

But mind you, you’re not asking these questions to make yourself look cool. Bolder men have tried.

In reality, you’re interviewing them as much as they’re interviewing you. You should be, anyway. You’ve got options here, champi?ón.

In all seriousness: our experience shows that the best interviews are close to 50:50, with you asking nearly as many questions as the hiring manager.?

Part 1: Discovery

We sat down and came up with the 9 most impactful questions you can ask in a sales job interview. Today, we cover the first three.

If you think of the interview as a sales call, these three are the discovery portion. So - like any salesperson worth their salt - you may want to be asking these before the whole thing gets properly underway.

Key takeaway: reframe your mindset around job interviews. This might be a sales job, but you’re not selling yourself to them. You’re discovering each other. Mutually. Like curious teenage lovers.?Too much? Best get to it.

1. What needs are being met by hiring for this position?

“So… whaddya needmefer?”

You need to figure out what they’re after. Bodies to feed the demand-machine? A true predator to get out there and conquer new ground? Or someone very creative to help define their market fit? It might turn out that after you ask this question, you realize this isn’t what you’re looking for & the whole thing’s done in 5 minutes.?

But we guarantee you - if that’s the case, it wasn’t going to work out anyway. And sales managers love a straight shooter. Few things impress a great sales manager as much as a candidate qualifying themselves out of a role; chances are, you’ll be their first call the minute something opens up that could be a match for you.?

2. What does success look like in this role and for this company in the next 12 months?

“What see-you? DOOM?... Or prosperity?”

If the company has a clear vision, your interviewer should have no problem answering this question. The picture they paint should make sense to you and sound so exciting that you really want to be a part of it. More often than not, companies don’t hit all of their milestones - so the best case scenario better sound pretty thrilling to you.

Capiche?

Besides, this one’s also great for framing all of your subsequent answers in the interview - it’s a way better conversation when you’re talking around specifics.

3. What keeps you up at night? What’s the company not good at yet?

“Dang, didn’t realize this was a carnival - that’s a lotta red flags!”

You want them candid here: this is what we like to call a “red flag filter”. With this, you’re paying attention to whether or not they’re being transparent. You’re listening to your gut, and you’re looking to make a genuine connection.?

And - very importantly - you’re figuring out if the answers you’re getting are grounded in reality, or if it’s all feeling a bit reality-distortiony, Theranos-kool-aidy. If so, make like a Jordan Peele film: listen to US, say NOPE, and GET OUT.

End of Tape 1

Stay tuned for the remaining installments, where we focus on Managerial and Social fit.?

Now go call your mother <3