Prepare for your Outbound Sales Development Representative (SDR) interview. Understand the required skills and qualifications, anticipate the questions you may be asked, and study well-prepared answers using our sample responses.
This question is a great way for employers to get a feel for your personality and how you might fit in with their company culture. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention some specific examples of times when you were outgoing or personable in the past.
Answer Example: "Absolutely! I pride myself on being a highly motivated and outgoing individual. I have a strong desire to build relationships with others and help them find solutions to their problems. This has led me to develop a personable demeanor that makes others feel comfortable around me. In my last role, I was tasked with cold calling potential clients and found that my outgoing nature helped me build rapport with potential clients quickly."
This question can help the interviewer understand how you plan to generate leads for the company. Your answer should include a few examples of the skills you use to find new clients, such as cold calling or social media marketing.
Answer Example: "I find that cold calling is one of the most effective ways to generate new leads. I’ve found that if I call businesses and ask if they need any help with their sales, many times they’ll agree to talk with me about their needs. Another skill I use frequently is social media marketing. I find that if I post about our company on social media sites like Facebook and Twitter, people are more likely to reach out to me with questions about our products."
This question is a great way for the interviewer to assess your comfort level with making sales calls. If you are not comfortable cold calling, it’s important to explain why and what steps you would take to become more comfortable with this process.
Answer Example: "Absolutely! I’m very confident in my ability to cold call potential clients and pitch products or services. During my last role as an outbound sales development representative, I was responsible for making hundreds of cold calls each day. I found that the best way to approach this task was to focus on building relationships with potential clients rather than simply selling them something."
This question can help the interviewer understand how you approach sales and what strategies you use to succeed. Use examples from previous experience that highlight your communication skills, problem-solving ability and ability to work with others.
Answer Example: "I find that the most effective strategy for engaging and closing a potential client is to start by building a relationship. I like to start by reaching out to them via email or phone call, introducing myself and my company, and asking questions about their business. This helps me get to know them better and shows that I’m interested in learning more about their needs. It also helps me determine if they are a good fit for my company’s services. If so, I can then move onto the next step of closing the sale."
Salespeople often face rejection when pitching products or services to clients. Employers ask this question to see if you can handle rejection and continue to try until you succeed. In your answer, show the interviewer that you are resilient and willing to keep trying until you succeed.
Answer Example: "I understand that pitching products and services can sometimes lead to rejection, but I don’t let it get me down. I know that there are many potential clients out there who are looking for what I have to offer, so I continue to pitch until I find someone who is interested. I also use this as an opportunity to learn more about the client’s needs so I can better serve them in the future."
This question can help the interviewer understand your experience with planning and organizing a sales campaign. Use examples from previous roles to highlight your ability to create a plan, implement it and measure its success.
Answer Example: "In my last role as an Outbound Sales Development Representative, I was responsible for creating and executing sales plans for our clients. Every month, I would meet with my manager to discuss our goals for the month and how we could achieve them. We would then break down each goal into specific steps that I could take to reach them. For example, one of our goals was to increase leads by 20% within one month. To achieve this, I created an email campaign that targeted specific audiences based on their interests and demographics. Then, I tracked the results to see if we met our goal."
Closing a deal is a key part of being an SDR. Employers ask this question to make sure you have the skills and experience necessary to close sales. When answering this question, it can be helpful to provide specific details about the situation and how you were able to successfully close the deal.
Answer Example: "In my last role as an SDR, I was working with a client who was looking for an email marketing solution. They were interested in our company’s services, but they needed some time to think about it. I kept in touch with them over the next few weeks, checking in to see if they had any questions or concerns. Eventually, they decided to move forward with our services."
This question allows you to show the interviewer what your primary focus would be if hired. You can answer this question by describing a few of the most important aspects of the role, such as developing relationships with potential customers and generating leads.
Answer Example: "My primary focus would be to generate leads for our sales team by reaching out to potential customers via phone calls, email and social media. I would also focus on building strong relationships with these potential customers so they feel comfortable talking with me about their needs. Finally, I would use my sales skills to convince these leads that our company is the best fit for their needs."
This question can help the interviewer assess your sales skills and how you respond to challenges. Use your answer to highlight your problem-solving abilities and willingness to work hard.
Answer Example: "If I were unable to reach a potential client on my first try, I would make sure to leave them a voicemail or email with all of my contact information so they can reach me back when they are available. Then, I would wait 24 hours before trying again. This gives them time to listen to my message and respond if they are interested in learning more about our company."
Outbound sales can be a stressful job, especially when you’re trying to meet your quota. Employers ask this question to see if you have strategies for handling stress and staying productive during your workday. In your answer, share two or three ways that you manage stress in the workplace.
Answer Example: "I understand that outbound sales can be a stressful job, but I am confident in my ability to handle stress while making sales calls. I have a few techniques that I use to stay focused and motivated while on the phone. First, I make sure to take regular breaks throughout the day to stretch my legs and get some fresh air. Second, I keep a journal with me at all times so I can write down any thoughts or ideas that come to mind. Finally, I make sure to eat healthy and get enough sleep each night so that my body is ready for the next day."
This is your chance to show the interviewer that you’ve done your research and are interested in the position. You can use this opportunity to ask questions about the company’s culture or how the SDR role fits into the company’s overall mission.
Answer Example: "I’m excited to learn more about the role, but I do have one question. I noticed that this position is part of a sales development team. Can you tell me more about what the other members of the team do? I’m interested in learning more about how the SDR role fits into the overall sales process."
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. Your answer should show that you’re eager to learn new things, but also that you have enough knowledge to be effective at your job.
Answer Example: "I’m always looking for ways to improve my knowledge of the products and services I sell. Recently, I attended a training session on how to better communicate with potential clients using the company’s software. This helped me understand how to better explain the features of the product and why they’re beneficial."
This question is a great way to show your ability to adjust your schedule and meet goals. It’s important to explain how you would adjust your schedule, but also show that you are willing to do what it takes to meet the company’s needs.
Answer Example: "I would adjust my schedule by starting work later in the morning. I typically get up early to exercise and prepare for the day, so this would be a challenge for me. However, I understand that sales calls in the evening are more effective, so I would make sure to start work later in order to make more calls during that time."
This question can help the interviewer understand how you prepare for a sales call and what steps you take before entering a client’s office. Your answer should include a step-by-step process that shows you have a system for organizing your thoughts and materials before a call.
Answer Example: "I always start by reviewing my notes from my last meeting with the client, as well as any information I have about their company and needs. Next, I will review any relevant data or reports that may help me understand their needs better. Finally, I prepare my presentation by creating an outline of what I want to discuss with the client and practicing it until I feel confident in my delivery."
