What skills does a great salesperson possess?
The key to answering this question is to relate the skills that you cite to yourself. You'll want to talk about how salespeople need to be effective communicators, exceptional problem-solvers, active listeners, and strong negotiators, in addition to being empathetic, personable, and able to manage their time. Tell the interviewer that you are all these things and, if possible, provide examples of times when you've displayed these attributes.
"I think that salespeople, in particular, need to be great communicators and personable. After all, the name of the game is getting a prospect on the phone and building a rapport with them so they trust you and ultimately want to buy your product or schedule a demo to learn more. This is why I'm in sales - because I love doing this and excel at it. I also think that salespeople need to be quick and out-of-the-box thinkers who really listen to the prospect so that they can uncover their pain points and offer helpful solutions. Recently, I talked to a prospect whose company was spending a ton of time trying to analyze SEC filings in order to make investment decisions; I recognized that the company I worked for had a product that would eliminate this time suck and was able to schedule a demo with the prospect after explaining how this would solve his problem."
Community answers are written by other candidates practicing this set. Reading how others frame the same question is one of the fastest ways to sharpen your own.
Anonymous Answer
Coachable, quick learner, and self-starter. Great personality and eagerness to be successful.
Marcie's Feedback
True! Don't forget resilient, persistent, personable, driven, and persuasive. What about being a quick thinker and problem solver too? Finally, make sure you connect these skills and qualities to yourself so the interviewer understands that you possess what's necessary to be successful in this role. Nice job!
Unlock all 30 Business Development Representative questions
Unlock expert responses that showcase your prospecting skills and sales instincts.
Get Started