Prepare for your 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 assess your comfort level with making sales calls. It’s important to be honest about your experience with cold calling and how you feel about it. If you’re not comfortable with this type of call, explain what type of sales approach you prefer.
Answer Example: "Yes, I am comfortable cold calling potential clients. In my previous role as an SDR, I was responsible for making cold calls every day to promote our company’s products and services. I find that the best way to approach cold calling is to be friendly and professional over the phone. This helps me build rapport with potential clients and leads them to become clients."
This question can help the interviewer understand how you apply your sales skills to achieve success. Use examples from previous roles where you used your creativity and communication abilities to close a sale during a cold call.
Answer Example: "In my last role as an SDR, I was tasked with finding new clients for our company’s software product. During one of my cold calls, I spoke with a potential customer who seemed interested in our product but had some questions about how it worked. Instead of rushing through my explanation, I took the time to thoroughly explain all of the features of our product. This helped me build a relationship with the customer and eventually led to a successful sale."
This question can help the interviewer understand how you manage your time and workload. Your answer should show that you have a system in place for organizing your contacts and follow-up activities.
Answer Example: "I use a calendar app on my phone to schedule all of my appointments and meetings. I also have a spreadsheet where I keep track of all of my leads and their progress through the sales process. This helps me stay organized and ensures that I’m not forgetting any steps in the sales process."
This question can help the interviewer understand your experience with using technology to help you complete your work. Use examples from past jobs to explain how you used sales software to manage your workload, organize client information and track your progress toward goals.
Answer Example: "In my last role as an SDR, I used a sales software called Salesforce to manage my entire sales process. The software helped me keep track of all my leads, including their contact information, interests and buying history. It also allowed me to create automated emails that sent out to prospective clients based on their responses to certain questions. This helped me stay organized and ensured that I was reaching out to potential customers in an efficient manner."
An interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your problem-solving skills and how you handle challenges. Use examples from previous jobs that show your ability to overcome obstacles, solve problems and persuade clients to buy products or services.
Answer Example: "In my last role as an SDR, I had a client who was hesitant about our company’s services because they felt we were too expensive. The client was looking for a cheaper option, but I was able to convince them that our company provided better value than our competitors. To do this, I explained how our services were more comprehensive than other companies’ offerings and explained how our pricing model worked."
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 being an SDR, such as developing relationships with prospects and leads or generating sales leads.
Answer Example: "My primary focus as an SDR would be to build strong relationships with prospects and leads. I believe that if I can build a rapport with potential customers, they’ll be more likely to trust me and my company’s products. To do this, I would focus on contacting potential customers regularly through phone calls and emails. I would also try to get to know them better by asking questions about their business and needs."
This question can help the interviewer understand how you would adapt to a new sales territory and what steps you would take to learn about it. Use examples from previous experience to show that you are willing to learn new things, adapt to different environments and work with people from different backgrounds.
Answer Example: "If I were assigned a sales territory outside of my area of expertise, I would first assess the situation and determine if there were any ways I could use my current knowledge to help me succeed in the new territory. If not, I would take steps to learn as much as possible about the new territory and develop a plan for how I could best approach it. This could include reading up on industry trends, talking to colleagues who have experience in the territory or reaching out to clients in the area to gain insight into their needs. By taking these steps, I am confident that I could succeed in any sales territory."
Sales is a challenging and competitive field. You may face rejection when trying to make a sale or when asking for an appointment. Employers ask this question to see if you can handle rejection well and continue to work hard. In your answer, show that you are confident in your abilities and willing to keep trying until you succeed.
Answer Example: "Rejection is part of the sales process, and I am confident in my ability to handle it. I understand that every no is just another step closer to a yes. I am willing to work hard to find the right fit for our product or service, and I know that each no leads me closer to a yes."
This is your opportunity to show the interviewer that you’ve done your research and are genuinely interested in the position. It’s also a chance for you to ask about any information you may have missed from the job posting or company website.
Answer Example: "I noticed that this role has a lot of opportunity for growth. Can you tell me more about how someone in this position could advance within the company?"
This question can help the interviewer understand how you approach professional development and whether you’re willing to invest in yourself. Your answer should include a specific example of a time you took professional development training, what you learned from it and how it improved your sales skills.
Answer Example: "I recently took a course on cold calling techniques that taught me how to effectively reach out to potential clients without sounding too pushy. The instructor also gave us tips on how to keep track of who we speak with so we can follow up later with relevant information. After completing the course, I implemented these techniques into my daily routine and found that my call rates increased by 10%."
This question can help the interviewer understand how you would handle working from home or remotely. Use examples from your past experience of working independently, such as collaborating with teammates or managers to get projects done or communicating with clients via email or phone.
Answer Example: "In my last role as an SDR, I worked remotely for three months while I was traveling. I found that it was easier for me to stay focused on my goals if I had a set schedule for working. Each day, I would set aside two hours to make calls, send emails and respond to messages. This helped me stay on track with my daily goals."
Territory planning is a key part of sales development. The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your experience with this process and how you can help their team. In your answer, describe a specific situation where you helped develop territory plans for a sales team. Explain what steps you took to create the plan and why those steps were important.
Answer Example: "I’ve worked with several sales teams to develop territory plans, and I find it’s best to start by understanding the goals of the organization and the needs of the customers. Then, I use that information to create a map of potential customers and their needs. From there, I work with the sales team to determine which customers to target and which salesperson should call on each one."
Employers ask this question to learn more about your qualifications and how you feel you are suited for their sales development representative position. Before your interview, make a list of all of your skills, experience and education that relate to this job. Focus on what makes you unique from other candidates and highlight any transferable skills you have.
Answer Example: "I am an ideal candidate for this position because I have a proven track record of success in sales. In my last role, I was responsible for generating new leads and converting them into customers. In one month, I generated over $50,000 in revenue by following the company’s sales process. I also have excellent communication skills, which helped me build relationships with clients and potential customers."
This question can help the interviewer understand your background and how it may relate to their company. Use this opportunity to highlight any specific skills or experiences that are relevant to the position you’re interviewing for.
Answer Example: "I have extensive experience selling in the technology industry, having worked with several start-ups and large corporations alike. I understand the needs of both types of organizations and know how to tailor my approach to each one. In my last position, I worked at a large tech company where I learned how to effectively use data to drive sales decisions. This skill has helped me in previous roles as well."
This question is a great way to show your interviewer that you have an understanding of what it takes to be successful in sales. It also shows them that you value these traits in yourself, which can be an important factor in hiring decisions. When answering this question, think of the most important traits for success in your own career and how you’ve applied them to achieve success.
Answer Example: "I think the most important trait for a successful sales professional is empathy. I have found that the most successful salespeople are those who understand their customers’ needs and can create solutions that meet them. By being able to put myself in my customer’s shoes, I am able to provide them with a solution that meets their exact requirements."
This question can help the interviewer understand how you approach your work and what your daily responsibilities are. Your answer should include a specific example of when you made cold calls, what you did and the results of your efforts.
Answer Example: "I make cold calls every day, but I also spend time researching potential clients and developing relationships with current customers. To find new leads, I use a variety of resources such as social media, online directories and industry newsletters. For existing customers, I keep track of what they buy and which products they’re most interested in so I can recommend products that fit their needs. This helps me build trust with them and increase sales."
This question can help the interviewer understand how you handle unexpected situations and whether you have the ability to problem-solve. Use examples from past experiences where you solved a technical issue or helped someone else solve one.
Answer Example: "I would first apologize to the client for the issue and ask if they would like me to call back later when the issue has been resolved. If the issue can be resolved quickly, I would try to continue the call while fixing the problem. If not, I would reschedule the call for when the issue is fixed."
