Prepare for your Enterprise Account Executive interview. Understand the required skills and qualifications, anticipate the questions you may be asked, and study well-prepared answers using our sample responses.
Cold calling is a common practice in sales. Employers ask this question to make sure you’re comfortable making calls to strangers and introducing yourself. If you are, share an example of when you cold called a client or potential customer. If you’re not comfortable with cold calling, explain why.
Answer Example: "Yes, I am comfortable cold calling potential clients. In my last role as an Enterprise Account Executive, I was responsible for generating new leads and making cold calls to potential customers. I found that the more I practiced, the easier it became. Eventually, I was able to make cold calls without feeling nervous or uncomfortable."
This question can help the interviewer understand how you approach sales and what strategies have been most successful for you in the past. Use examples from previous experiences that highlight your communication skills, ability to collaborate with others and understanding of your client’s needs.
Answer Example: "I have found that the most effective strategy for convincing a client to work with my company is to develop a strong relationship with them from the beginning. I start by understanding their business and what they hope to achieve with their marketing strategy. Then, I take the time to get to know the team members who are responsible for making decisions about which vendor to choose. By taking an interest in their company and providing valuable insights, I am able to build trust and make them more likely to choose us over other vendors."
Sales is a challenging and competitive career. You may encounter rejection when trying to close a sale, but it’s important to remain positive and keep trying. Employers ask this question to see if you have the resilience to keep going after you fail. In your answer, explain how you would handle rejection and use it as motivation to try again.
Answer Example: "Rejection is part of selling, and I understand that. When I am trying to close a sale, I take each no as a challenge. It makes me work harder to find another way to make the client happy. I also use it as an opportunity to learn more about the client’s needs and how I can better serve them."
This question can help the interviewer understand your experience with working in a corporate environment and how you handle large accounts. Use examples from previous roles to highlight your communication skills, problem-solving abilities and ability to work as part of a team.
Answer Example: "In my last role, I worked with a large corporate client who was looking for an agency to help them develop their digital marketing strategy. My team and I met with the client several times to discuss their goals and objectives, then created a plan to help them achieve those goals. We worked closely with the client to ensure they were satisfied with our services and provided regular updates on our progress."
Closing a large deal is a key part of the role of an enterprise account executive. Employers ask this question to see if you have the skills and experience needed to close a deal that could be worth hundreds of thousands of dollars. In your answer, explain what led you to successfully close the deal and how it helped your company or client.
Answer Example: "In my last role as an enterprise account executive, I was working with a client who was looking to upgrade their computer system. They wanted to replace their current software with something more modern and efficient. I worked with the sales team to come up with a plan to sell them on our company’s products. We then met with the client to discuss their needs and concerns. After explaining all of the benefits of our software, they decided to purchase it."
This question can help the interviewer understand how you handle conflict and challenges. Your answer should show that you are willing to take responsibility for your actions, are empathetic toward others and want to find solutions to problems.
Answer Example: "I would first make sure I understood what the issue was, then I would contact my manager or supervisor for advice on how to proceed. If it was something I could resolve myself, I would do so immediately. If not, I would communicate with the client regularly until the issue was resolved."
This question can help the interviewer understand how you interact with other departments in your company. It can also show them that you are aware of what resources are available to you and how to use them effectively. In your answer, explain what steps you would take to get help from other departments and why those steps are important.
Answer Example: "If I needed help from another department, I would first try to find the information I need on my own. This helps me build my skills and knowledge base so that I can be more efficient in the future. If I still needed assistance, I would reach out to my manager or another senior member of the team who can help me make connections with other professionals."
This question is a great way for the interviewer to assess your research skills and how well you understand their company’s offerings. Use your answer to highlight any knowledge you have about their products or services, and explain how this knowledge could help you succeed in this role.
Answer Example: "I’ve done extensive research on your company’s products and services, which has helped me develop an understanding of how they work and who they’re designed to benefit. For example, I know that your company offers a variety of enterprise solutions for businesses looking to grow their operations. I also understand that your team of experts is available to provide support and guidance throughout the process."
Digital channels are an important part of many companies’ sales strategies. The interviewer may ask this question to see if you have experience working with digital sales leads and how you would apply that experience to their company. In your answer, explain what digital channels are and explain how you used them to generate sales leads for your previous employer.
Answer Example: "I have extensive experience working with sales leads generated through digital channels. I have been an Enterprise Account Executive for the past five years, and during that time I have seen the importance of digital marketing for generating sales leads. I am familiar with various digital marketing platforms such as Google AdWords, Facebook Ads, and LinkedIn Ads. I also understand how to optimize websites for search engine optimization (SEO) to generate more traffic and leads."
This question can help the interviewer determine how committed you are to your career and whether you’re likely to stay with their company for a long time. It also shows them what kinds of books you read, which can give them insight into your personality. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention the title of the book or who wrote it.
Answer Example: "The last book I read about sales and marketing was ‘The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People’ by Stephen Covey. This book helped me gain a better understanding of how to improve my interpersonal skills and work more efficiently. It also gave me some great tips for managing my time more effectively."
This question is a great way to show your creativity and problem-solving skills. It also allows you to show the employer how you can use social media in a professional setting. When answering this question, think of two different strategies that you could use to increase sales leads through social media.
Answer Example: "I believe that social media is an excellent tool for generating sales leads. To increase our sales leads through social media, I would first create a company profile on all major platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. I would then use these platforms to post relevant content that appeals to our target audience. For example, if we were selling computers, I would post tips and tricks for using computers efficiently."
Sales automation tools are a common tool for enterprise account executives. The interviewer may ask this question to learn about your experience with these tools and how you’ve used them in the past. Use your answer to highlight any specific sales automation tools you’ve used, including their names and what benefits they provided for you as a sales professional.
Answer Example: "I’ve had great success with using sales automation tools in the past. In my last role, I was able to use a platform called Salesforce to keep track of all my leads and contacts. The tool allowed me to create customized databases where I could store relevant information about each potential customer. This allowed me to quickly access relevant information when speaking with potential clients."
This question is your opportunity to show the interviewer that you have what it takes to succeed in this role. You can answer this question by highlighting a few of your strongest skills and explaining how they make you a valuable employee.
Answer Example: "I believe my experience, knowledge and communication skills make me stand out from other enterprise account executives. I have over 10 years of experience in the IT industry, working with many different types of companies and organizations. During this time, I’ve learned how to tailor my services to meet the unique needs of each client. My knowledge of the industry has also helped me develop strategies for overcoming common challenges faced by businesses today."
This question can help the interviewer understand your experience level and how it may relate to their company. Use this opportunity to highlight any skills or knowledge you have that are relevant to the position, such as knowledge of specific software or technology.
Answer Example: "I’ve worked with several different enterprise sectors throughout my career, including healthcare, financial services and technology. In my last role, I worked exclusively with healthcare companies to develop marketing strategies and create effective digital campaigns. My experience working with this sector has taught me how to create tailored solutions that meet their needs while also meeting the goals of the company."
This question is your opportunity to show the interviewer that you have the skills and abilities needed for this role. You can answer by identifying a trait, explaining why it’s important and giving an example of how you use that trait in your work.
Answer Example: "I think the most important trait for an enterprise account executive is patience. Working with large companies can be challenging, especially when trying to convince them to use your company’s products or services. I’ve found that being patient and understanding helps me build relationships with clients and leads them to making informed decisions about their marketing strategies."
This question can help the interviewer understand your track record of meeting or exceeding sales targets. Use examples from previous roles to highlight your success in achieving goals set by your company or client.
Answer Example: "I have consistently met or exceeded my sales targets throughout my career as an enterprise account executive. In my last role, I was tasked with reaching $100,000 in monthly revenue within the first six months of employment. Within three months, I had exceeded that goal by $20,000. In addition to meeting my monthly target, I also consistently exceeded quarterly targets by 20% or more."
This question can help the interviewer understand how you handle conflict and challenges. Use your answer to highlight your problem-solving skills and ability to collaborate with others.
Answer Example: "When I encounter a problem with a product I sold to a client, my first step is to contact the client directly. I want to make sure they are aware of the issue and work with them to find a solution. If the issue is within our control, I will work with our team to develop a plan of action to fix it. This could include replacing the product or offering a refund if necessary."
