22 Territory Sales Manager Interview Questions

1.

What are some of the challenges you see as a Territory Sales Manager?

The interviewer wants to determine your boundaries. It is important to demonstrate you can manage anything that comes your way.

Always review the job posting before the interview and keep it closeby at the time of the interview. Provide example of challenging duties on the job posting, and how easily you will be able to manage such duties. Provide example of the successful performance of these duties in a previous position, if you have any.

Rachelle's Answer

"An example of a challenging duty is (X easy duty on the job posting/any other difficult duty related to the position you applied for), because when working as a/an (X position title) for (X company), I (X similar difficult duty successfully performed despite the challenging nature and what contributed to your success)."

2.

What do you know about our organization and products/services we offer?

Tell the interviewer about your knowledge of the company you applied for. It is imperative to always conduct your due diligence before an interview by reviewing the job description, company website and social media pages to familiarize yourself with the company and work involved.

It is also important to show the interviewer you did not apply to the advertised position simply because you are looking for just any job, but that you wish to work for this company specifically.

Rachelle's Answer

"I reviewed the job description and website before this interview and know you are a company specializing in (X programs/services you noticed on the company website). I am particularly excited about (X programs/initiatives) that I saw on your (website/social media pages) as I (X reasons you are excited about these programs/initiatives, such as passion or similar initiatives undertaken in school or volunteer capacity)."

3.

Tell me about your post-secondary education and how you feel it prepared you for this position.

Ensure to review the job posting before the interview to familiarize yourself with the educational requirements for this role.

Answer this question by mentioning your degrees and certifications that you have, by putting emphasis on those that are relevant to the position you applied for. Should you hold one or several of the preferred educational
qualifications listed on the job posting, tell the interviewer you directly meet the educational qualifications, making you a great candidate for this role - and this is an opportunity for the interviewer to see you did your due diligence before the interview. Alternatively, simply tell the interviewer why you believe your education has prepared you for this role.

Rachelle's Answer

"I read on your job posting that one of your preferred educational qualifications is a bachelor's degree. As you can see on my resume, I hold a Bachelor's degree in (X) from (X university), granted in (X year). I also have a Sales Certificate, which I am positive will be highly beneficial in this role as I have developed my sales skills as a result of the techniques learned in my studies."

4.

Where do you see yourself in 2 to 3 years from now?

Answer by telling the interviewer about your short-term goals, however by ensuring your goals are related to the position and company you applied for.

Should your short-term goals significantly differ from the position or company, the interviewer may assume you will leave eventually the position if hired, for a better opportunity at another company, should one presents itself. As a result, you may be instantly disqualified.

Rachelle's Answer

"In 2 to 3 years from now, I would like to have grown within the company and having established myself as an expert expert in my field. I hope to eventually move up the ladder and become a Team Lead within the department. I wish to commit to my employer and contribute to the company's success."

5.

Tell me about one of the greatest achievements in your career.

Answer by providing an example of, e.g., the most successful project you have worked on. Do your best to provide an example related to the position you are applying for, i.e., involving some of the duties you will have to perform in this new role. The best predictor of future performance is past performance in a similar setting.

Rachelle's Answer

"One great achievement is a project that I worked on while employed for (X company) as (X position title). The project in question was (X further similar detail regarding the project related to the position you applied for, as per the job posting (such as similar duties)). This is a great achievement of mine as I went above and beyond to ensure the project's success, working tirelessly for several weeks to meet the deadline. It was a very successful project and my employer and client were highly satisfied of the finished product."

6.

Give me an example of your ability to handle stressful situations and work under pressure.

Tell the interviewer what you do to handle situations calmly despite the high stress level by providing an example of your experience to support your position.

Rachelle's Answer

"I always remain calm and look for ways to be more efficient. For instance, if there is an unexpected deadline, I will determine what can be done to ensure the deadline can be met, I will write down the steps to take to ensure successful completion and will delegate a few tasks if necessary. In brief, I am always ready to adjust my approach because stressful situations are bound to occur in a professional environment."

7.

Tell me about yourself generally and your sales/business development experience specifically.

Provide an overview of your professional experience while putting emphasis on your sales/business development experience as per the advertised position, proving you indeed have the qualifications required for this position.

Review the job description before your interview and answer this question by selecting some of the main duties on the posting and telling the interviewer you have performed these duties in the past, when and how.

Rachelle's Answer

"I pursued a Bachelor's degree in (X) at (X university) and upon graduation I worked as an Intern for [X company] where I was responsible for [X sales/business development duties]. Since this internship, I have gained considerable sales and business development experience working for [X company] where I managed [X sales/business development duties] and for [X company] where I was responsible for [X sales/business development duties]. These are some of the reasons I believe I am a perfect fit for your position."

8.

How do you handle rejection?

Answer this question by providing examples of your ability to handle rejection. Mention that you always remaining calm, collected and professional at all times. Lastly, provide an example of a situation reflecting your ability to handle a customer who had no interest in your products/services.

Rachelle's Answer

"I am unfazed by rejection and always remain calm and professional as I must ensure to adequately represent the company at all times. I calmly listen to the customer, take his/her objections into consideration which will serve me with future customers, and then do my very best to provide the advantages of my products/services. Should the customer remain uninterested, I would request a follow up with the customer at a later date, in the event he/she would have no reservations against it. An example of a situation with a difficult customer is (X situation) when working as (X position title) for (X company). (.... X details regarding the situation and how you respectfully and successfully handled the situation)."

9.

What goals have you set for yourself this year?

Tell the interviewer about your goals as a professional, related to the company you are applying for, and by ensuring to emphasize you wish to grow within the organization. The interviewer wants to ensure you will commit to the employer and will not leave should another opportunity present itself at another company.

It is mandatory to review the company website and social media pages before the interview to familiarize yourself with the company, industry and services offered.

Rachelle's Answer

"I wish to grow within the company and acquire further skills related to sales and business development. I hope to become an expert in my field."

10.

Would you work holidays and weekends?

Always ensure to review the job posting before the interview to familiarize yourself with the work schedule.

Should an interviewer ask such a question, it is highly likely you will have to work such days. As such, the interviewer will expect you to have applied for the position after carefully reading it, in turn expecting you to be able to work as needed.

Should these requirements be mentioned on the job posting and should you answer in the negative, you may be immediately disqualified. Not only would you not meet a crucial requirement for the role, this would also show you did not carefully read the job posting before applying and the interviewer may think you simply applied to get any job - and as such, you are not serious about working for this employer specifically and/or will not commit.

Rachelle's Answer

"I carefully reviewed the job posting numerous times before this interview and am aware of the work schedule. I am willing to work over the weekend, in the evenings, overtime, and holidays as required."

11.

What are your long term career goals?

Tell the interviewer about your career goals in ~7 to 10 years from now. Ensure to link your career goals to the company you are applying for to show the interviewer you can be a long-term asset for the company and that you are looking for stability.

Rachelle's Answer

"In 7 to 10 years from now, fr instance, I would like to have grown within the same company I started off with, having acquired skills enabling me to establish myself as an expert. I would love to be responsible for more managerial duties and ultimately lead a team of professionals."

12.

What is/are your greatest strength(s)?

Tell the interviewer your greatest strengths which you believe will help you be successful in this role.

Rachelle's Answer

"I thrive on challenges and do not hesitate to work long hours to get the job done. I also have strong relationship building, business development and sales skills which will absolutely benefit me in this role."

13.

What attracted you to this industry?

Ensure to do your due diligence before the interview by reviewing the job posting and company website/social media pages to familiarize yourself with the industry the company is in.

Answer this question by mentioning you wish to work in the same industry the employer is in to demonstrate you have done your due diligence and wish to work for this employer specifically - and that you are not simply looking for just any job. Add the reasons why you wish to work in such industry.

Rachelle's Answer

"I know that you are in (X industry) and this is precisely the industry I wish to establish myself in because (X reasons why, such as passion for the industry and/or related courses taken in university that sparked your interest)."

14.

What skills do you possess that will help you sell and close deals as a Territory Sales Manager?

Always review the job description before the interview to familiarize yourself with the personality traits required from the successful incumbent.

Answer this question by mentioning some skills from the job posting, if outlined, and provide an example of these skills in a professional capacity. Alternatively, provide your top skills, which you believe will highly benefit you in this role, and provide an example of these skills in a professional setting.

Rachelle's Answer

"The skills a Territory Sales Manager should possess are having time management skills, relationship building and sales capabilities, which I possess. These skills served me well in my last position at (X company name) where I was employed as a/an (X position title). In this role, I (X confirmation re: how/why your skills benefitted you in this role)."

15.

Tell me about your organizational and time management skills.

Tell the interviewer about your organizational and time management skills in a work environment by providing an example of your capabilities.

Rachelle's Answer

"I believe excellent organizational skills are essential to successfully perform in a work environment. For example, I use a strategic approach by anticipating, and keeping track of, all upcoming calls, meetings, and deadlines. I will use lists to keep track of upcoming duties and a calendar to keep track of upcoming events. I also keep a record of all documentation and update on a regular basis to ensure the most up-to-date information is easily accessible, enabling me to be prepared should unanticipated events occur."

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