What feedback did you receive at your last job?

"At my last job, my manager told me that I was spending too much time on certain accounts. I realized that I had become so immersed in those specific relationships (because I saw huge opportunities there) that I wasn't paying enough attention to some of my other accounts. I recognized that he was right and from that point forward I made sure to better allocate my time and energy across all of my accounts."

The interviewer wants to not only find out what kind of feedback you may have received in the past from managers but, more importantly, determine how you handled it. You will want to show the interviewer that you were open to receiving your supervisor's feedback, took it constructively, and used it to better yourself and your work performance.

"My manager at my previous job informed me I needed to prioritize clients more effectively during a time when I was still new to the industry. He took the time to meet with me and helped me focus on a better methodology. With that feedback, I successfully created an improved tracking system and therefore created an opportunity to spend my time on other areas of priority."

What motivates you to perform your best?

"The reason I'm cut out to be an account manager is because I genuinely enjoy helping and getting to know clients. Many of them honestly become friends of mine; I build trusting and long-term relationships with them. During our talks, I find out what business challenges they are dealing with, and nothing pleasures me more than when I can offer them a solution to their problem(s). I always stay up on new product features so I can educate the clients and potentially solve issues for them."

The interviewer wants to find out what drives you to work hard and be successful. For the account manager position, the interviewer will likely want to hear that you're motivated by human connections since that's such a big part of this role. Whereas a person strictly in sales might be driven by commissions (money), and this may be one of your internal motivators too, an account manager tends to be motivated by solving problems and building trusting relationships with others.

"I am a strong self-motivator. I am passionate about the role and find great joy in being successful. Engaging and leading a team to success and creating long-lasting business relationships with individuals from all walks of life are also powerful motivators for me. I find a sense of purpose in my work. Knowing that my hard work will help me achieve professional goals and watching my company grow is the ultimate motivator for me."

Tell me about a time when you made a mistake that made a client unhappy. What did you do to fix the situation and what did you learn?

"When I first started working for my current company, I called an important client right in the middle of earnings season. I wasn't calling to provide any investment information that might have helped him during this time; I was just doing a friendly check-in. The client wasn't happy that I wasted his time, especially during this hectic period. I apologized sincerely and wrapped up the call so he could go on with his day. I never forgot the lesson I learned from that experience. Now, I only make contact with clients when I have an express purpose or information of value to provide, and I always pay attention to when I choose to make the call."

The interviewer wants to know how you recovered from a mistake that you made. It's most important that you show the interviewer what you learned from the mistake so you don't repeat it again. Explain that you view mistakes as a chance to learn, not as a failure.

"Early in my career, I had gotten so swept up in some of my larger accounts that I missed the deadline for a client. He was understandably frustrated with the lack of communication and didn't feel his business was valued. I apologized and ultimately retained the client in the end; however, it was a hard lesson to be learned. I ensure that all my clients are made to feel as if their individual needs are my top priority."

Tell me about the largest or most important project you have ever worked on. How did you manage it?

"I started with my current company when it was just a startup, and it has continued to get larger and larger over the years. Initially, we were selling to small mom-and-pop companies, but over time this has evolved into closing very large multi-seat financial companies. A year ago, a large company that we had closed on not that long ago for just a few seats started expressing interest in expanding their account. My boss put me in charge of it. Over the next eight months, I worked various angles and developed numerous new contacts within the company. I remained persistent over time and eventually was able to increase the number of seats at the company to over a hundred, resulting in a large boost in revenue for us."

The interviewer wants to hear about your involvement in a big project. Explain what the project was about, how you contributed to it, and what the end result was. You can also discuss what you learned from the experience and how you will carry those lessons into the future with you.

"In the first few years at my last company, I worked closely with my previous account manager on a client account. This potential client was very indecisive and balked at making decisions based on unpleasant experiences. I was tasked with committing the client to an in-person meeting where we could speak with the client in depth about their concerns, providing them with facts and information to supplement the competitive company's last performance with them. I took the time to listen to their concerns, ensuring they felt heard. When met with empathy and understanding, we retained the client. Not long after, we successfully connected with the clients' business partners and closed deals with them as well."

Why should we hire you over other candidates?

"I think you should choose to hire me over others because I have the right mix of experience and personality. I will be able to jump right in and hit the ground running because I already know how to be a successful account manager. I even bring my own network of contacts with me, of whom I will work to convert into paying clients. I'm friendly and personable on the phone and in person, so I have no doubt I will be able to easily make in-roads with your existing clients to build up trusting relationships with them, as well as with my new colleagues. I am very excited about your company and would love to be a part of its future success."

A lot of times this is the last question an interviewer might ask you. It's a chance to really sell yourself, and you should make sure to rehearse your answer several times in advance so it flows and you don't stumble at all. Talk about your strengths and how they differentiate you from others. Be specific and exude confidence.

"While I am sure there are many qualified candidates for this role, I stand out as I am passionate about client servicing. I enjoy working in a fast-paced, ever-changing environment with many clients at a time. I possess all the attributes of a highly driven, results-oriented account manager. With an ability to understand client needs, thorough attention to detail, and a meticulous approach to customer cultivation, I am an incredible asset and the right fit for your company."

Tell me about a contribution you made to the last team you worked on.

"Last month, my manager asked my team to call a list of hundreds of clients during a time period of just a few days. We were trying to reach these specific clients in order to schedule in-person demonstrations with them while our sales team was going to be in their area. All of us had to work long hours, starting before 8am and going on after 5pm, to make these calls, in addition to managing the responses we received. It wasn't easy and there were several days when I stayed late to help get everything done. It was worth the effort, though, as we managed to schedule numerous on-sites, which later resulted in many closed deals."

It's important to show the interviewer that you are a team player and someone who works well with others. Talk about a time when you were expected to achieve a goal in a team setting. Discuss how you went above and beyond to help your team and how your team achieved success.

"Last year, we had a potential client our team had our sights on. Landing this client would have been very lucrative for our company. I researched the competitor services the client was using at the time. During our research, I found that not only did we offer a better price, but we could also offer more for the price the customer would be paying with us. Upon contacting the client, I discovered what the client did and didn't like about their current service. We then explained that our company could save them time and money. The client agreed, and I closed on the sale."

What type of sales and account management software do you have experience using?

"Throughout my years in account management, I have used various applications to help me organize contacts, segment markets, customize pipelines, and prioritize my accounts. On a very basic level, I have used Microsoft Excel and internal admins to support my own organizational methods. But beyond that, I am very comfortable using Salesforce and Freshsales as I used them in my last two positions. I have friends who use Zendesk Sell and Zoho, among others, and I am confident I can easily learn how to use these or any other programs if needed."

There are many different software programs widely available that account managers use to organize and prioritize their accounts. Most likely the company you're interviewing for uses one of these programs. Let the interviewer know which programs you have experience with, and also indicate that you are always open to learning new software as well. If you don't have experience using any common programs, focus on conveying that you are a fast and eager learner.

"Over the past 'x' years in account management, I have used software such as Salesforce to perform tasks such as running reports, call logs, and creating new contacts. I also created personalized reports through Salesforce as well. I have also utilized Sales Intelligence to establish and grow relationships with prospective clients. I have used Arrangr to coordinate dates, times, and attendees for meetings. While I am familiar with these platforms, I am open to training in and using new software.

"Throughout my years of managing key accounts I have used several software to help me organise my contacts , prioritize accounts, segment markets and also plan my call schedules. I am very familiar with the use of Microsoft Excel which is what I use in my current role. In my last role managing key accounts I used the Salesforce CRM - agora. I'm also a quick learner and can easily adapt to new CRMs"

Why is this job right for you at this time in your career?

"I have been passively seeking a new position for quite some time but hadn't jumped on anything until this; when I read your job ad and researched your company, I knew this might be the perfect fit for both me and you. I think I'd fit really well in your company culture, and I possess the experience and knowledge to be very successful within this role. While I like my current job and employer, I am ready to move on to something different that will allow me learn more and expand my sales and management skills."

Discuss with the interviewer why you are looking to make a change and why you believe you're a great fit for this role. Don't just say that you are 'looking for growth;' instead, be thoughtful and draw upon the research you have done on the company. Make sure the interviewer knows how excited you are by their specific company, open position, and industry. And be positive about your current/last employer; negativity doesn't come across well.

"While I have overcome significant challenges in my current role, I am prepared for more than just growth opportunities. I'm ready for a new stage in my career and to take on new tasks. I desire to utilize my current skills and learn from a company whose core values mirror my own. I have become familiar with your company's workflow and protocols, and I am confident that my experience, drive, and certifications make me an excellent fit for the role.

What are your greatest strengths? Weaknesses?

"I would say that my greatest strength is my ability to sell. I believe that I come across as genuine and trustworthy, so when I suggest a product or service to a client they take me seriously and consider it. I also have an uncanny ability to pinpoint client challenges and come up with solutions, which bolsters my ability to sell. Other strengths include being someone who can easily strike up a conversation with anyone and form a long-lasting relationship. In terms of weaknesses, sometimes I become hyper-focused on big opportunities and Ihave to catch myself to ensure I'm not letting smaller accounts fall through the cracks. I am aware of this tendency and use organization to combat it."

This is a common question that is asked by interviewers for many different role types. Going into the interview, be able to recite several strengths and at least one weakness of yours. In this case, choose strengths that are related to the account manager role (friendly/pleasant, easy to talk to, a natural networker, great at selling, a relationship-builder, organized, etc.). When it comes to weaknesses, try to pick one that can also be viewed as a positive.

"My greatest strength is understanding value-based selling, industry expertise, and communication skills. I am empathetic and able to understand my clients and their needs. I can adapt to my client's conversation style and pacify disgruntled customers quickly and efficiently. These strengths help me be very successful in this role. My greatest weakness could be that I have difficulty saying no when taking on additional tasks when I have an already full plate. I am a team player, and people please, so I tend to say yes when others struggle. I have working on being more honest with myself and taking on more than I have the capacity for."

Let's pretend I'm a client of yours. How would you up-sell or cross-sell this company's products to me?

"Hi, Joe; how are you? How's the family? I know we last talked a few weeks ago. I just wanted to touch base with you because several of your colleagues have reached out and expressed interest in using our service. I'm really excited about that; I know our research product has really been helpful to your analyst team. As you know, your firm is currently paying for a one-seat subscription. I wanted to talk to you about trialing a four-seat subscription so some of your colleagues can start capitalizing on our research too. I've already set it up and can activate it now if you're interested."

The interviewer would ask this question in order to see how you actually act as an account manager. You will need to use your imagination and pretend they are a client. Prior to the interview, make sure you research the company, its products, and the industry, in addition to rehearsing how you would up-sell or cross-sell its products. Practicing beforehand will make this type of question much easier to answer in person.

"Hello Max, How did your daughter's wedding go? I am so happy for you and Sarah. The last time we spoke, you had mentioned you would like some information on the new product y. It is similar to the product you're used to; however, this will provide you with more overall benefits. We spoke about the challenges you have with product x; this new product y will solve those problems and be used in tandem. I have product y here in the office with me. Why don't we set up and time for you and Sarah to come in, and we can talk through everything?"

How do you meet your targets?

"For me, I continually focus on my client relationships. I touch-base often, providing my clients with useful information and ongoing support. I always want to make sure the lines of communication are open. When a new feature or product comes along, I can more easily up-sell or cross-sell the value-add given my strong relationships with my clients. I also make it a point to collaborate closely with others on the sales and account management teams. Together, we come up with new sales strategies to try out and share things that have worked. In the past, I have met or exceeded my target every single time."

Part of being a successful account manager is being able to sell. By asking this question, the interviewer is looking for some insight into your selling methodologies. They want to know that you can consistently meet or even surpass your targets. Discuss the strategies you've successfully used in the past to meet your quotas and how you will do that in this position as well.

"I track my overall progress and note clients who have not availed of our services in the past months. I communicate with my clients often and check in on respective new clients. If necessary, I offer deals or additional services to clients to maintain the goals set forth. I ask about our client's new business challenges and promote the products we offer that can help them. I often meet with my team about goals and strategize how to increase sales revenue."

What do you think our company's biggest challenge is?

"I noticed when I was researching your company that there are several other similar companies in your space. This leads me to believe that one of the challenges the company faces is differentiating itself from competitors. Being that the service you offer is online (and not a product someone can physically handle and compare to others at a store), I imagine it's a challenge to show clients how your service is better for them than a competitors. As an account manager, I will visit clients in person to physically demonstrate our product in front of them. I can think of other ideas too, like perhaps running a mailing campaign, to help resolve this issue."

The interviewer wants to know how much you researched the company and the industry it's in before you came to the interview. Being knowledgeable in these areas shows you are genuinely interested in this specific job. Being able to suggest possible company/industry challenges also shows the ability to think critically. Even better if you can propose some possible solutions as well.

"I recognize that closing new customers can be a struggle as you're a relatively new business. I would say the lack of a fully trained sales team, retaining top salespeople is expensive and competing with more well-known organizations are the biggest challenges you're facing now. This market evolves quickly, and having an experienced account manager who can prioritize motivating and training your team, a long history of successful customer retention and network of clients ready to come to your organization will resolve these challenges."

If you were your own client, how would you describe yourself as an account manager?

"I think that my clients would consider me a friendly, pleasant, and genuine person. I work hard to establish solid client relationships that are based on trust. Consequently, I believe that they would also say that I am trustworthy and that I won't waste their time. If I'm contacting them about a product or new feature, I make sure it is something that will be of value to them. Additionally, I think I would be described as someone who is intelligent and a good listener; I spend time truly listening to what the client's challenges are and I proactively offer solutions."

The interviewer can learn a lot about you from this question. You will want to appear confident without being arrogant, and you will want to discuss several of the attributes and personality traits that the interviewer is looking for in an account manager. Namely, that you are friendly, communicative, capable, honest, proactive, client-focused, and smart.

"I have had clients say I am friendly, capable, and confident. I often communicate clearly about opportunities and consistently meet the goals they set. My clients would say that I am dependable. I successfully foster new relationships while instilling trust in all my clients. Additionally, I am delighted to achieve results in my account manager role."

"I think that my clients would consider me a friendly and down-to-earth person. They would say I'm someone who adds value to their practice and business. They would also consider me an honest person who is clear about what my products and services can and cannot do and that when I make them a promise I go out of my way to make sure I fulfill it."

As a manager, how do you successfully motivate your team?

"As a manager, I work hard to get to know my team members - what they like, what makes them tick, and how they like being recognized and rewarded. I do this by getting to know them, fostering strong relationships and trust among the team, and regularly meeting with them one-on-one and as a team. It's important for me to understand what each team member needs so I can ensure that their needs are met. If someone feels understood, appreciated, and recognized, then they will undoubtedly work hard to deliver and succeed."

The interviewer wants to know how you will ensure your team is motivated and productive. As a manager, you will need to uncover what intrinsically drives your team members, what they are passionate about, and how they like to be recognized or rewarded. You can then use this knowledge to support, encourage, and motivate them. If you have an example from previous teams you've managed, then share!

"The knowledge of your team as individuals is required to motivate and inspire effectively. I can do just that by creating a constant flow of communication, encouraging teamwork, and promoting a healthy work environment. Through positive feedback, my team can see their progress toward goals. It is also important that team members feel valued and appreciated for their efforts. Rewarding a job well done or providing opportunities for development and growth are great examples of motivation."

As a manager, how would you evaluate the success of your team's members?

"From past experience, I recognize how vital it is as a manager to consistently communicate with and evaluate the performance of my team members. I always strive to keep my team positive, encouraged, and, frankly, competitive in a friendly way so they are constantly trying to close more sales and build more client relationships. I've found that conducting daily morning meetings is helpful to keep everyone motivated and on the same page. I also meet individually with all team members on Fridays to discuss weekly successes and challenges and to offer advice. My expectation is that they each work hard to reach their goals and to continually try to improve."

The interviewer wants to know more about how you would lead a team. One very important aspect of managing others is continually being aware of each team member's performance. If anyone is struggling, it is your job to help them improve. Talk to the interviewer about how you plan to measure and track each team member's success.

"It is important to have effective leaders who encourage continuous growth from their employees. Motivation and productivity can be impacted otherwise. So to remain effective, I communicate with my team, collaborate on projects, celebrate success, and promote problem-solving skills for all employees. I also offer resources and training to support my team. I hold everyone accountable, including myself, while building strong relationships so I can learn how to support them individually. Respect and empathy go a long way to bring out the best in my team."

Why are you interested in this specific account manager position?

"I have been following your company for some time now and looking for the right opportunity to join your team. I have prior experience working for startups, and I really value the entrepreneurial spirit of the team. I also enjoy seeing the direct impact my work has on the company. In terms of the role itself, I am a people-person and driven to sell, and I'm also someone who will take the time to build meaningful relationships with clients. I believe the products you sell offer a valuable solution to a problem, and I would love to introduce your products to clients in order to solve their problems."

The interviewer wants to know what about this job appeals to you and why you have decided to apply for it. This is a good opportunity to show the interviewer that you have researched their company and that you understand what the job entails. You will want to express interest in working for their company and briefly explain why you are well suited to the position.

"I have extensive experience in the account manager domain and can easily recognize the customer's needs. While I take great pride in my people skills, my engagement personally allows me to market to potential customers successfully. I understand the unique challenges this role can bring; as I am result driven and passionate about meeting and exceeding goals set forth, I would be a great fit. I believe in this company's mission statement and core values, similar to mine."

"I believe in working with a company whose primary focus is bringing about breakthroughs that change patients' lives and one evidence of this are the timely research and advanced tech that brought about the Pfizer covid19 vaccine- I'm a people person and I'm passionate about getting results and because I believe in the quality of the products Pfizer is offering to customers, I believe I can contribute significantly to growing the business"

When have you made an error that resulted in an account leaving your company?

"When I was only about a year or two into my first account management job, I learned a valuable lesson about making sure to keep tabs on and be communicative with all clients, no matter their account size. I had inherited over 80 accounts and had prioritized them by size and opportunity potential. Some of the company's clients had been with us for years but were small accounts. Things got busy and I overlooked following up with one of those accounts. Several months went by and suddenly they canceled their service with us. I quickly realized that if I had kept in touch with the client, most likely they would have stayed with us; they felt neglected and consequently left. Fortunately, I was able to quickly re-open the lines of communication and win them back, albeit at a discounted rate for the next quarter. Going forward, I changed how I tracked clients and my communications with them to ensure that no client ever fell through the cracks again."

The interviewer wants you to describe a time when you made a mistake at work. It's important that you clearly explain what happened, what your role in the situation was, how you worked to rectify it, and what lessons you learned. Be honest and take responsibility but emphasize how this taught you to do things differently in the future.

"Early in my career, I was very green but also self-assured. I was humbled when I was given a new client and did not set proper expectations. While eager to guarantee great results to the client, I oversold expectations and ultimately failed to deliver. This resulted in an upset client and a very humbling experience for me. I learned quickly that it is always better to undersell and overdeliver than the opposite. I rectified the situation with the client and still have said client 'x' years later."

If you could choose between getting a higher base pay without the ability to earn many commissions/bonuses or a lower base pay with the ability to earn more commissions/bonuses, which would you pick and why?

"While I'm open to most pay structures, the idea of earning commissions and/or bonuses based on my performance definitely appeals to me. It's always nice to have a base salary to fall back on, but the prospect of earning more money according to how much hard work I put in and how many times I can upsell and expand accounts motivates me. I enjoy the challenge of closing deals, in addition to helping clients I care about resolve business problems."

The interviewer has asked this question to determine how driven you are to sell. Although your primary job function as an account manager is to foster new client relationships and keep existing clients happy, there is also a large sales component. The interviewer will want to hear that you are motivated to sell, which generally means that you are open to earning commissions and bonuses in addition to your base salary.

"While my expectations for salary are flexible, I am open to the idea of commission-based bonuses. I understand the base pay may be lower, and I can expect to work hard to reach my ultimate income potential; however, I enjoy the challenge with a commission-based pay scale."

"While I'm open to most pay structures, the idea of earning more through commissions and bonuses definitely appeals more to me. The idea that I can earn based on how much work I put in will definitely motivate me to put in more and more work. I enjoy the challenge of closing deals especially tough ones and building relationships with even the most difficult customers."

What do you like most about your current role?

"I'm currently working in a retail position, and my favorite part of the job is making customers happy. When they come into the store, I approach them in a friendly manner and make conversation in order to determine if they have any challenges or problems that might be fixed by our products. My goal is to be empathetic, to really listen, and to educate them on our products so that I might be able to solve their issue(s). I make sure that they leave on good terms with me so the next time they come into the store I can continue to build the friendship and trust."

The interviewer wants to find out what motivates you and what makes you tick to see if it aligns with the position. Consider what an account manager does (builds and maintains relationships; upsells/cross-sells/sells; educates clients about the products; pinpoints client problems and tries to resolve them) and relate that to your current job in a favorable manner.

"In my current role as an Account Manager, I enjoy fostering long-term relationships with my clients. I have clients who have been with me for 'x' years. Watching their business growth has been a great source of pride for me. There is no day I don't face challenges and relish the idea of taking those challenges on. This role has allowed me to learn, grow and succeed in this industry, and I am looking to continue that growth path with a new organization."

"In my current role as an area sales manager, I'm responsible for establishing new clients sometimes in the retail pharmacy industry and also maintaining relationships. I like the challenge of having to be innovative in the face of competition to ensure that I keep my customers happy. I add value to them by helping them manage their inventory and save costs by reducing expiries. I listen to their feedback and"

How do you stay in contact with customers?

"I use several different methods to build and grow my relationships with clients. When I first come into a new role, I always make it a point to call each and every client on my list in order to introduce myself. I believe this is more personal than an email; they can hear my voice and learn my name. With larger accounts that we want to expand, I encourage in-person meetings. There's nothing quite like shaking the client's hand and seeing the family photos they have in their office in order to build a real and trusting relationship. I also email clients. In some cases, they prefer and/or request this method of communication because they are busy. Other times, due to external factors, this might be the easiest way to contact them. I stay in touch with customers in a variety of ways, whatever works best for them and helps to build the relationship."

The interviewer wants to find out more about how you maintain relationships with clients. Since this is such a vital part of the account manager role, you will want to rattle off the ways in which you will be communicative, helpful, and friendly toward the company's customers.

"Being available to my clients demonstrates that the business relationship is important to the company. We want our clients to trust we have their best interest at heart, so taking the time to call or schedule an in-person meeting builds communication and leaves our clients feeling valued and prioritized. I get to know the client's details of their lives and ask questions that allow me to provide them with the highest level of service. Following up on meetings and conversations proves they are my priority to the client."

You have been given 50 clients. How would you manage them? What would you do first?all at your current or last position.

"First, I'll enter all of my clients into a program where I can easily access and organize them, whether it be Excel or the company's internal admin interface. Next, I will do some due diligence on the types of clients I have been given. For instance, how big or small are the accounts? How old or new are they? Which ones look like they can be expanded, either by cross-selling or up-selling products to them? I will then prioritize them by how lucrative they are to the company. I will always give proper attention and great service to all clients, no matter their size; however, I will likely spend more time on the ones that have the potential to bring in more revenue."

The interviewer wants to know how you will handle a lot of clients while still giving them all the attention they require. You will want to discuss how you will prioritize and organize the clients, as well as how frequently and in what ways you plan to communicate with them. It is important that you balance the needs of the clients with the needs of the company.

"To start, the best practice would be to have all my client information in a single area, easily accessible so that I can track their needs daily. Successfully managing a client base of that size would require prioritizing on a case-by-case basis, by order of highest to lowest priority. Special attention is being given to those clients who yield higher revenue protentional. I then organize my schedule and use the tools set in place to keep track of everything"

If a long-term key client informed you they're considering ending our business relationship, how would you turn them around?

"Sometimes this happens when a client has encountered a problem with the product or service or is simply ready to move on. As an account manager, it's my job to dive into the root of why the client is unhappy. During this discussion, I'll maintain empathy and good listening skills so the client feels heard and understood. Then, I will come back to them with a solution, either with another product the company offers that will do a better job satisfying their needs or with an adjustment to the service they are receiving. My goal is to make the client happy again and to restore the relationship."

It's important to the interviewer that you know how to save accounts. In other words, if a client becomes unhappy or disenchanted with the company's products or services, then as their account manager, you will need to step in and talk to the client in order to remedy the problem and keep their business. Tell the interviewer the steps you would take to fix the issue and make the client happy again.

"The best and simplest way to turn a customer around is to analyze the issue causing them to leave. Listening to and understanding their concerns allows me to locate solutions and prevent their departure. Asking open-ended questions allows them to feel heard and air their grievances. While giving me a chance to change their minds, create a retention plan, and quickly bring solutions to a discontent customer, leaving them satisfied with myself and our company."

"I would schedule a meeting with the client and try to find out what the issue is. I will make sure I listen to understand and also empathize with the client. If it has to do with the quality of our service, I'd find out what more value we can offer them for the same price and once I get the solution I get back to them on it."

Why are you looking to leave your current position?

"I've been with my current employer for several years now, and I'm just ready to move on to another opportunity. I love the people I currently work with, but I'm looking to change things up and try something new with another great group of coworkers. I think I'm well suited to the account manager position and that I'll fit nicely into your company culture."

The interviewer might inquire about the reason you're leaving your current job. If you're not careful about how you answer this question, you might raise red flags in the interviewer's mind. For instance, you definitely don't want to bad mouth your prior employer (even if they deserve it!) Frame everything in a positive light. You want to be honest, positive, and bring the focus back to what the new role has to offer you versus what you currently have.

"While I have spent 5 years with my current company and have cultivated a great network of employees and coworkers, I am looking for a new challenge. I am seeking new opportunities that will allow me to align myself with a powerhouse such as your company so I can fulfill new goals while cultivating new relationships. I am passionate about the position and believe my industry skills and knowledge would be an asset to your company."

Tell me about your leadership style.

"Within my current position I have hired and trained several people. When someone new joins the team, I am friendly and approachable so they know they can come to me with any questions that arise. I also take the time to explain procedures and processes to them so they understand what is expected of them. I try to set a good example in the way I handle myself and complete my work, and I never talk down to or demean anyone. I look forward to leading others on your account management team if you hire me."

The interviewer might ask you this question if they are looking for an account manager who will also train and oversee others. In this case, you will want to express confidence in taking charge and setting a good example for others. Discuss how you have helped hire, mentor, and supervise others in the past, in addition to talking about the style of leadership you ascribe to. If you are lacking experience in this area, tell the interviewer about the personality traits you possess that would make you a good leader.

"My leadership style takes advantage of my communication and delegation skills. In my experience over the past 'x' years as an Account Manager, leading by example with direct and concise instruction has consistently provided successful results. Through training, I can determine the strength of my team members and delegate tasks appropriately. I also work hard alongside my team to show I am not afraid to be hands-on."

What do you know about our company?

"I researched your company online and am very excited about what I learned. First, I am happy that it's a larger company as I've always worked for bigger companies and feel very comfortable in that kind of atmosphere. I saw on LinkedIn that your employees spend time together at happy hours and raising money for charitable causes; I would love to be a part of this and believe I will fit into the company culture well. I'm also very familiar with the industry your company is in due to past work experience and personally use the products it sells."

This is an important question because the interviewer wants to see drive and hunger on your side to work specifically for their company. They don't want to sense that you are desperate for any job. Make sure to do your research on the company prior to the interview so you know what it does, what kind of products it sells, who some of its larger customers are, etc. and why you will fit in well there.

"I know, based on my research, that your company is one of the largest in the industry. This company currently employs 2000 individuals and is looking to expand three additional locations by next year. Since being founded in 2009, your company has had impressive growth while challenging other leading competitors in the market. I am excited about the possibility of being a part of that future growth."

Why do you think you would be a good account manager?

"Ever since I was young, I've always been driven to sell. When I was 10, I wrote a newsletter that I sold to neighbors and relatives. When I was 16, I placed first in fundraising (selling candy) for the school band. Selling is in my blood. Beyond that, though, I have a genuine love of people and am a natural networker. I make friends easily, and I know that on the phone and in person I will be able to develop meaningful relationships with your clients. I will learn your products inside and out so I can educate clients about them and recognize when a product will fill their needs. I'm competitive yet friendly, and I know I am cut out to be an account manager."

This is your chance to really sell yourself. You know what account managers do (build/nurture relationships; upsell/cross-sell/sell; educate clients about the products; pinpoint client problems and try to resolve them) so now you need to show the interviewer that you excel in these same areas. If you have experience doing these things, share that. If you lack experience, emphasize how your personality is well suited for the role and how you're eager to learn and grow.

"Account Managers must be able to improve customer satisfaction and increase revenue to be successful. I have a proven track record with both, and I can do my job effectively because I have excellent communication and negotiation skills. I am passionate about the products and services I sell. It's easy for me to communicate to others the value of what I'm offering customers, and I pride myself on being knowledgeable in all service areas so I can answer any customer's questions. I can also actively listen to customer concerns and use my skills to ensure a win for both parties."

Do you know any of our customers?

"Being that I've been in the same industry as your company for the past 10 years, I have numerous shared contacts. While in this role I plan to leverage my connections as I know that my relationships with these customers will allow me an easy 'in' to start introducing and selling your products to them. I am continually building and nurturing new relationships as well. I am confident that using my existing network, and the new contacts I will continue adding to it, will allow me to successfully sell your product."

The interviewer is interested in finding out if you know any of the company's clients. It is beneficial to the company if you have existing relationships with any of their customers because this will make it easier for you to introduce and/or sell their products to them. If you already have connections within the industry, definitely name drop and let the interviewer know. If you don't, indicate that you are working on building up your industry network and understand the importance of doing so.

"I have connected with many key clients in this industry over the past 5 years. Focusing on those existing relationships, I intend to engage those customers to introduce your products. It is principal to engage in client retention while fostering new clientele. I am confident that by utilizing my network and building new relationships, I will be successful in selling your products."

How long have you been involved in selling this type of product?

"I've been selling products that are similar to yours for the past five years. In my most recent role, I developed an in-depth understanding of the products we sold by taking the time to learn about them and then staying abreast of all new features. If you hire me, I will do the same here. To be an effective account manager, I need to know and understand all aspects of the product so I can expand accounts by upselling or cross-selling your products."

The interviewer wants to know how much experience you have working with the type of product the company sells. The more experience you have with this kind of product, the easier it'll be for you to hit the ground running when you start working there - and the interviewer knows this. If you have sold or worked with similar products in the past, definitely let the interviewer know. If you lack experience in this area, talk about your willingness and eagerness to learn.

"While I do not have the knowledge of this particular product, I do, however, have experience in several other similar products. For the past 5 years, I have worked diligently learning the particulars and training on upcoming products. I am passionate about learning and eager to become more familiar as the industry is ever-changing."

How well do you know our industry?

"I have worked in various industries throughout my career thus far. As a result, I'm very well-rounded and quick to adapt. But I'm especially interested in this particular industry and am looking to settle here for a long while. I have been researching it on my own time and believe that many of my connections will be interested in the kinds of products you sell."

The interviewer wants to know how much industry knowledge and experience you have. They are hoping to hear that you are already familiar with the product types and terminology and that you have a network of connections that you will bring with you to the role. If you have a background in the same or a similar industry, let the interviewer know. If not, indicate how eager and willing you are to learn about it.

"I have worked in this industry for 5 years. These years have afforded me great learning opportunities to hone my abilities to retain customers, master relationship building, build my negotiation skills, and become knowledgeable in all areas of the industry to aid my sales results. I can change course at a moment's notice, which I understand to be vital in this role."

Tell me about your experience in account management and/or sales.

"Although I haven't yet had the opportunity to fill an account management or sales role, I know that I'm cut out for this type of job. I really enjoy talking to people and building relationships. I also have a knack for educating others, and I know I can use this talent to teach your clients about your products. When I talk to them, I will identify their pain points and then look to solve those problems with our products."

The interviewer wants to know how much experience you have in this kind of role. If you have had prior roles in account management or sales, perfect! Tell the interviewer all about them and how you excelled in these positions. If you lack experience in this area, talk about the personality traits you possess that will make you a great fit for this role.

"I have 5 years of experience as an account manager. Some of my duties included building and maintaining strong customer relationships, collecting and analyzing data, and communicating with clients to ensure their needs were being met and addressed promptly. I was responsible for providing impeccable sales abilities and meeting sales goals consistently. as well as daily operations."

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Account Manager Interview Questions

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1. What feedback did you receive at your last job?
2. What motivates you to perform your best?
3. Tell me about a time when you made a mistake that made a client unhappy. What did you do to fix the situation and what did you learn?
4. Tell me about the largest or most important project you have ever worked on. How did you manage it?
5. Why should we hire you over other candidates?
6. Tell me about a contribution you made to the last team you worked on.
7. What type of sales and account management software do you have experience using?
8. Why is this job right for you at this time in your career?
9. What are your greatest strengths? Weaknesses?
10. Let's pretend I'm a client of yours. How would you up-sell or cross-sell this company's products to me?
11. How do you meet your targets?
12. What do you think our company's biggest challenge is?
13. If you were your own client, how would you describe yourself as an account manager?
14. As a manager, how do you successfully motivate your team?
15. As a manager, how would you evaluate the success of your team's members?
16. Why are you interested in this specific account manager position?
17. When have you made an error that resulted in an account leaving your company?
18. If you could choose between getting a higher base pay without the ability to earn many commissions/bonuses or a lower base pay with the ability to earn more commissions/bonuses, which would you pick and why?
19. What do you like most about your current role?
20. How do you stay in contact with customers?
21. You have been given 50 clients. How would you manage them? What would you do first?all at your current or last position.
22. If a long-term key client informed you they're considering ending our business relationship, how would you turn them around?
23. Why are you looking to leave your current position?
24. Tell me about your leadership style.
25. What do you know about our company?
26. Why do you think you would be a good account manager?
27. Do you know any of our customers?
28. How long have you been involved in selling this type of product?
29. How well do you know our industry?
30. Tell me about your experience in account management and/or sales.

Account Manager Interview Questions

1. What feedback did you receive at your last job?

2. What motivates you to perform your best?

3. Tell me about a time when you made a mistake that made a client unhappy. What did you do to fix the situation and what did you learn?

4. Tell me about the largest or most important project you have ever worked on. How did you manage it?

5. Why should we hire you over other candidates?

6. Tell me about a contribution you made to the last team you worked on.

7. What type of sales and account management software do you have experience using?

8. Why is this job right for you at this time in your career?

9. What are your greatest strengths? Weaknesses?

10. Let's pretend I'm a client of yours. How would you up-sell or cross-sell this company's products to me?

11. How do you meet your targets?

12. What do you think our company's biggest challenge is?

13. If you were your own client, how would you describe yourself as an account manager?

14. As a manager, how do you successfully motivate your team?

15. As a manager, how would you evaluate the success of your team's members?

16. Why are you interested in this specific account manager position?

17. When have you made an error that resulted in an account leaving your company?

18. If you could choose between getting a higher base pay without the ability to earn many commissions/bonuses or a lower base pay with the ability to earn more commissions/bonuses, which would you pick and why?

19. What do you like most about your current role?

20. How do you stay in contact with customers?

21. You have been given 50 clients. How would you manage them? What would you do first?all at your current or last position.

22. If a long-term key client informed you they're considering ending our business relationship, how would you turn them around?

23. Why are you looking to leave your current position?

24. Tell me about your leadership style.

25. What do you know about our company?

26. Why do you think you would be a good account manager?

27. Do you know any of our customers?

28. How long have you been involved in selling this type of product?

29. How well do you know our industry?

30. Tell me about your experience in account management and/or sales.