How to Answer: Tell me about a time you strayed from your company's standard protocol. How did it turn out?
Advice and answer examples written specifically for a Sales job interview.
20. Tell me about a time you strayed from your company's standard protocol. How did it turn out?
How to Answer
There's a fine line here between ignoring the company's protocol and seeking a creative solution that is beneficial to all parties. Sometimes the SOP (standard operating procedure) does not fit all clients or situations, so it's crucial to demonstrate that you can think outside of the box. Choose an example in which the outcome was positive. Give a little background on the situation, why the standard procedure wouldn't have worked, and what you did.
Written by Rachelle Enns
Entry Level
"The restaurant which I work has a no refunds rule, even for dishes sent back. We can replace the dish with something of equal value but never refund a customer. I had a table with a person who had a peanut allergy. The kitchen messed up and made a dish that contained a trace of peanuts. The person at my table had a mild reaction and was entirely upset, which I fully understood. I comped the meal and decided that if my boss was not happy with me breaking the no refunds rule, that it would come out of my paycheck. At that moment it was more important to me to show integrity as a server than to follow the rules to a tee. It turned out fine in the end, as my manager saw how passionate I was about the solution I delivered."
Written by Rachelle Enns
Answer Example
"My current company has a policy against overtime. I know that it's a rule in place to ensure a healthy work-life balance while also maintaining their financial health when it comes to payroll. I had a client that needed me more than usual, so I broke the rule and worked about 5 hours overtime the other week. I let my manager know that I was doing this because I believed there would be a big financial reward for the company, should I show this extraordinary dedication to my client. He agreed, and I was right! The client added 50% more to their usual spend which meant that the overtime hours I billed were a wash for my company."
Written by Rachelle Enns
Experienced
"One of my current company's main SOP's is the sales process map cycle that we all need to follow, exactly. With that said, sometimes the process map does not work for my clients. I will, from time to time, stray from the process, always bringing it back when I am able. I will not lose a client just because I have to stick exactly to one process. As a seasoned sales professional, I am confident in my ability to stretch the rules a bit to make a profitable move."
Written by Rachelle Enns