Top interview questions to expect

1. Tell me about yourself.
2. Why are you interested in this role?
3. What are your strengths and weaknesses?
4. Describe a time you overcame a challenge.
5. Give me an example of a time you failed.
6. How do you handle rejection?
7. What are your salary expectations?

Check the latest questions for this role:

Answering interview questions with STAR structure

The STAR method is a powerful tool for answering behavioral interview questions. It stands for Situation, Task, Action, and Result. This method helps you structure your answers by providing a clear and concise narrative of a past experience that demonstrates your skills and abilities. By using the STAR method, you can showcase your relevant experience and make a strong impression on the interviewer.

Sample answers to above interview questions

1. Tell me about yourself.
This question is an opportunity to introduce yourself and highlight your relevant skills and experience. Use this as an opening to showcase your passion for sales and your ability to connect with customers.

Example Answer:
“I’m a highly motivated and results-oriented individual with a passion for sales and a proven track record of success in building relationships and driving revenue. I have a strong understanding of the sales process and am skilled in prospecting, qualifying leads, and closing deals. In my previous role as a [previous role], I was responsible for [briefly describe your responsibilities]. I consistently exceeded my targets by [quantify your achievements]. I’m eager to learn and grow in a fast-paced environment, and I believe my skills and experience would be a valuable asset to your team.”

Why this answer is strong:
This answer uses the STAR method by highlighting a specific situation (previous role), the tasks involved (responsibilities), the actions taken (exceeding targets), and the positive results achieved (quantifiable achievements). It also emphasizes the candidate’s passion for sales, their skills, and their eagerness to contribute to the team.

2. Why are you interested in this role?
This question allows you to demonstrate your research and understanding of the company and the role. Show your enthusiasm and explain how your skills align with the company’s goals.

Example Answer:
“I’ve been following [Company Name] for some time now and I’m incredibly impressed with [mention something specific about the company, their mission, or their products/services]. I’m particularly drawn to this Sales Development Representative role because I see it as a fantastic opportunity to leverage my [mention relevant skills] to contribute to [mention company’s goals]. I’m excited about the chance to [mention specific aspects of the role that appeal to you] and I believe my [mention specific skills or experience] would be a great fit for your team.”

Why this answer is strong:
This answer demonstrates research by mentioning specific aspects of the company and the role. It shows enthusiasm and aligns the candidate’s skills with the company’s goals. It also highlights the specific aspects of the role that appeal to the candidate, making it clear that they are genuinely interested.

3. What are your strengths and weaknesses?
This question is an opportunity to showcase your self-awareness and highlight your valuable skills while acknowledging areas for improvement. Choose strengths that are relevant to the role and weaknesses that you are actively working on.

Example Answer:
“One of my strengths is my ability to build rapport quickly with people. I’m a natural communicator and I enjoy connecting with people on a personal level. This has helped me build strong relationships with customers and generate leads in my previous roles. I’m also very organized and detail-oriented, which allows me to effectively manage my time and prioritize tasks. An area I’m working on is my public speaking skills. I’m taking a course to improve my presentation skills and I’m confident that I’ll be able to overcome this challenge.”

Why this answer is strong:
This answer provides specific and relevant strengths that are valuable for the SDR role. It also acknowledges a weakness and demonstrates a proactive approach to addressing it. The candidate acknowledges a specific area for improvement and shows initiative by taking steps to address it.

4. Describe a time you overcame a challenge.
This question assesses your problem-solving abilities and resilience. Choose a situation where you faced a difficult obstacle and demonstrate your ability to think critically, adapt, and achieve a positive outcome.

Example Answer:
“In my previous role, I was tasked with reaching out to a new target audience that was unfamiliar with our product. I initially struggled to generate leads because I didn’t have a clear understanding of their needs and pain points. To overcome this challenge, I conducted thorough research on the industry and the target audience. I also reached out to industry experts and conducted surveys to gain insights into their challenges and priorities. This research helped me develop a more targeted approach to my outreach efforts, which resulted in a significant increase in qualified leads.”

Why this answer is strong:
This answer uses the STAR method to describe a specific challenge (reaching out to a new target audience), the actions taken (conducting research and reaching out to experts), and the positive result (increased qualified leads). It demonstrates the candidate’s ability to adapt, problem-solve, and achieve a positive outcome.

5. Give me an example of a time you failed.
This question assesses your self-awareness and how you learn from mistakes. Choose a situation where you made a mistake and demonstrate your ability to learn from it and improve your performance.

Example Answer:
“In a previous role, I was responsible for scheduling a series of product demos for a new client. I mistakenly scheduled the demos for the wrong dates and times, which caused confusion and frustration for the client. I immediately took responsibility for the error and apologized to the client. I then worked with the client to reschedule the demos and ensure that everything was on track. This experience taught me the importance of double-checking details and communicating clearly with clients to avoid future mistakes.”

Why this answer is strong:
This answer uses the STAR method to describe a specific situation (scheduling error), the actions taken (taking responsibility and rescheduling), and the learning outcome (importance of double-checking details and clear communication). It demonstrates the candidate’s ability to learn from mistakes and take steps to improve their performance.

6. How do you handle rejection?
This question assesses your resilience and ability to maintain a positive attitude in the face of setbacks.

Example Answer:
“I understand that rejection is a part of the sales process and I approach it as an opportunity for learning and improvement. I try to analyze each rejection to understand why it happened and what I can do differently next time. I also focus on celebrating my successes and using them as motivation to keep pushing forward. I believe that persistence and a positive attitude are essential for success in sales.”

Why this answer is strong:
This answer demonstrates a positive and proactive approach to handling rejection by focusing on learning and improvement. It shows the candidate’s resilience and ability to maintain a positive attitude, which are essential qualities for an SDR.

7. What are your salary expectations?
This question is an opportunity to demonstrate your research and value your skills. Be prepared to provide a salary range based on your research and experience.

Example Answer:
“Based on my research and experience, I’m looking for a salary in the range of [salary range]. I believe my skills and experience align with the requirements of this role and I’m confident that I can make a significant contribution to your team.”

Why this answer is strong:
This answer demonstrates that the candidate has researched the market and has a realistic understanding of their value. It also shows that they are confident in their abilities and are ready to contribute to the team.