Prepare for your Product Specialist interview. Understand the required skills and qualifications, anticipate the questions you may be asked, and study well-prepared answers using our sample responses.
Public speaking is a common skill for product specialists. Employers ask this question to make sure you have the confidence and skills to speak in front of large groups. In your answer, explain that you are comfortable speaking in front of large audiences. Explain how you feel about public speaking and what steps you take to prepare for it.
Answer Example: "I am very comfortable with public speaking. I have been giving presentations in front of large groups for years. I understand the importance of preparation and practice my material until I feel confident in delivering it. I also find that practicing in front of a mirror helps me see any nervous ticks or gestures that I may have. This helps me feel more at ease when presenting in front of others."
This question can help the interviewer get a better idea of your experience and how you’ve applied it to your previous roles. Use this opportunity to highlight any unique products you’ve sold, the challenges you faced in selling them and what you learned from the experience.
Answer Example: "In my last role as a product specialist, I sold a variety of different products including computers, software and hardware. One of the most challenging products I sold was a new line of software that required customers to upgrade their current system in order to use it. It was challenging because many customers weren’t willing to spend money on something they didn’t need. However, after explaining the benefits of upgrading their system, I was able to sell many copies of the new software."
Product specialists need to be able to negotiate prices with vendors and suppliers. Employers ask this question to see if you have the skills necessary to negotiate effectively. In your answer, explain how you would use your negotiation skills to get the best deal possible for your company.
Answer Example: "I believe my negotiation skills are strong because I am able to understand what the other party is looking for and find ways to meet their needs while still achieving my goals. When negotiating, I always start by listening to the other party’s needs and desires. This helps me understand what they are willing to give up in order to meet my demands. Then, I use my knowledge of the product or service to find ways to give them what they want while still meeting our requirements."
This question can help the interviewer understand how you approach your work and what methods you use to complete it. Your answer should show that you have a system for researching, learning and remembering information, which are all important skills for a product specialist.
Answer Example: "I start by reading the product information sheet that comes with every new product shipment. I make sure to highlight any important details or features that I might forget later. Then, I search online for more information about the product and its competitors. I look at reviews and customer feedback on social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter. Finally, I watch videos about the product and read any blogs or articles about it. This process helps me learn about the product while also getting familiar with its competitors."
This question can help the interviewer understand how you use your communication skills to convince others to buy products. Use examples from previous work experiences where you successfully persuaded customers to purchase products, even if the product wasn’t related to the one you’re applying for.
Answer Example: "In my last role as a product specialist, I was working with a customer who was looking for a new laptop. They were unsure of what they wanted in a computer and needed some help deciding which features were most important to them. I asked them questions about their needs and goals with the computer, which helped me determine which models would be best for them. After discussing our options, they decided to purchase the model I suggested."
This question can help the interviewer understand how you respond to uncertainty and challenge. Use examples from your past experience to show that you are willing to learn new things, ask for help or research information to answer questions accurately.
Answer Example: "If I didn’t know the answer to a customer’s question, I would first try to find out as much as I could about the product myself. If there was not enough time to research before the customer’s deadline, I would ask other team members or supervisors for help. I have always valued customer satisfaction above all else, so I would do whatever it took to provide accurate information."
This question can help interviewers understand how you would handle a situation that could potentially be controversial. Your answer should show that you are willing to work with others, but also that you know when it’s best to take charge of a customer interaction.
Answer Example: "If I saw another product specialist servicing a customer, I would first make sure that they were finished with the conversation. If not, I would wait until they were done before approaching them. If they were finished, I would politely ask if they could help me with any questions or concerns I had about the product. If they weren’t able to help me, I would let them know I would be available if they needed any additional assistance."
Product specialists need to be able to listen to customers and understand their needs. Employers ask this question to make sure you have active listening skills and can use them in the workplace. In your answer, show the interviewer that you are a good listener. Explain how you use active listening techniques in your daily life.
Answer Example: "I am an excellent listener because I know how important it is to truly hear what someone is saying. I make sure to give them my full attention and take in every word they say. This allows me to understand their needs better and provide them with the best possible solution. I also use active listening techniques such as nodding my head, making eye contact, and asking clarifying questions. This helps me remember details about their request so I can provide them with accurate information."
This question can help the interviewer understand your experience working with other people and how you might fit into their company’s culture. If you have previous experience working with a sales team, share what you enjoyed about that experience and what challenges you faced. If you don’t have any experience working with a sales team, consider discussing a time when you worked with a group of people to achieve a goal.
Answer Example: "I’ve worked with several sales teams throughout my career, and I find that collaboration is an essential part of product specialist work. I enjoy working with others to find solutions to problems and develop new ideas for products. In my last position, I worked alongside a team of five other product specialists who were all dedicated to providing excellent customer service. We would regularly meet to discuss new products and features and how we could best explain them to customers."
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 have an interest in learning new things, but it’s also important to mention any certifications or training you’ve completed recently.
Answer Example: "I recently took an online course on how to use our company’s newest product line. I found it very helpful because it gave me tips on how to explain the features to customers in ways they can understand. It also helped me remember important information about each product, such as its benefits and uses."
This question is a great way to see how passionate a candidate is about their job. It also shows the company what kind of environment they work in and whether they enjoy collaborating with others. When answering this question, it’s important to be honest about your experience trying out new products and sharing your opinions with customers.
Answer Example: "I’ve always been excited to try out new products and share my opinions with customers. In my last role as a product specialist, I was given the opportunity to try out a new line of skincare products. I loved the products so much that I decided to buy them for myself. When a customer came in looking for skincare products, I recommended the ones I had tried out. She ended up buying them because of my recommendation."
This question can help the interviewer determine your experience with inventory management systems and how you might fit into their company’s culture. Use examples from previous work to highlight your ability to work with multiple systems, understand their functions and apply them to your job responsibilities.
Answer Example: "In my last role as a product specialist, I worked with an inventory management system called Vend. The Vend system helped me keep track of all of our products, including their prices, descriptions and images. It also allowed me to create orders for customers and track their purchases. My experience working with the Vend system has helped me become familiar with other similar systems like Shopify and Magento."
Employers ask this question to learn more about your skills and qualifications. They want to know what makes you unique from other candidates, so they can decide if you’re the best person for the job. When answering this question, think of two or three things that make you stand out from other product specialists. These could be specific skills, certifications or experiences you’ve had in your career.
Answer Example: "I believe my experience and skills make me stand out from other product specialists. I have worked as a product specialist for over five years, during which time I have developed an extensive knowledge of products and services offered by my current employer. My familiarity with the company’s offerings allows me to provide customers with accurate information and helpful suggestions."
This question can help the interviewer understand your experience level and how it may relate to their company. Use this opportunity to highlight any unique skills or knowledge you have that could be beneficial to the role.
Answer Example: "I’ve worked in both consumer goods and technology industries, which has given me a unique perspective on how products are developed and marketed. In my last role as a product specialist for a software company, I helped develop marketing plans for our products based on customer feedback. This experience taught me how important it is to understand customer needs when creating new products."
This question is your opportunity to show the interviewer that you have the skills and abilities needed for this role. You can answer this question by identifying a trait, explaining why it’s important and giving an example of how you use that trait in your work or personal life.
Answer Example: "I think the most important trait for a product specialist is being able to communicate effectively with customers. A product specialist needs to be able to answer questions about the product they’re selling and explain its features and benefits. I’ve found that if I can explain something clearly, customers are more likely to understand what I’m saying and feel confident in their purchase."
This question can help the interviewer understand how you prioritize your work and manage your time. Your answer should show that you have a strong work ethic and are willing to put in the time and effort needed to keep up with changes in the industry.
Answer Example: "I believe that it’s important for product specialists to stay up-to-date on new products, trends and technologies in their field. I think it’s essential to do this on a regular basis, maybe even weekly or monthly depending on the size of the company and the amount of products they have. For example, at my current job, we have a team of product specialists who meet once a month to discuss any updates or changes in our product line."
This question can help the interviewer understand how you approach new challenges and learn new information. Your answer should show that you are willing to take the time to learn about new products, even if you aren’t familiar with them yet.
Answer Example: "I would first look at the product’s website to see if they have any information about who the product is for, what it does and how it works. If there isn’t much information on the website, I would then search for reviews from other professionals who have used the product in the past. This can help me get an idea of what the product is like and whether or not it’s worth trying out."
