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Ask These 5 Questions to Hire the Best Sales Manager
Reading Time: 5 minutes
Are you on the hunt for a sales manager, but don’t know where to start?
Finding the right fit for a role can be a challenge, especially with the current state of the job market. You want to ensure you’re hiring someone who will excel in the role and be a valuable asset to your organization. But, how do you know who to hire?
Behavioral data can help you identify the right fit for a role. By understanding the behaviors and competencies required for success in a sales manager role, you can make a more informed hiring decision. Instead of focusing on a person’s technical background, ask the right questions to get to the heart of what makes a good sales manager.
Table of Contents
The Anatomy of Behavioral Interview Questions
Below, we’ve outlined five behavioral interview questions to ask when hiring for a sales manager. These questions are designed to get at the core competencies and behaviors required for success in this role.
Each of these questions is carefully crafted to assess a specific competency or behavior required for success in a sales manager role. For example, the first question gauges the candidate’s ability to work with financial information and provide answers on the fly. The second question assesses their persuasive abilities and diplomacy, while the third question uncovers their initiative and team-oriented mentality.
Tell me about a time when you quickly determined how much a project would cost
This question can help you assess a candidate‘s ability to quickly assess the financial viability of a project. A good candidate should be able to provide a detailed account of how they were able to break down the costs and explain the reasoning behind their calculations.
To quickly determine how much a project would cost, a good candidate should be able to break down the costs and explain the reasoning behind their calculations. They should understand the financial implications of their decisions and be able to explain how they would approach the task.
How might you go about convincing someone to accept an unpopular viewpoint?
This question can help you gauge a candidate‘s persuasive skills and ability to think outside the box. A good candidate should be able to explain the process they would go through to explain the benefits of their viewpoint and be able to demonstrate their ability to think on their feet.
To convince someone to accept an unpopular viewpoint, a good candidate should be able to explain the benefits of the viewpoint and demonstrate their ability to think on their feet. They should be able to come up with innovative solutions to complex problems and be able to articulate their ideas in a persuasive manner.
Describe a time when you volunteered for something that didn’t fit your role
This question can help you evaluate a candidate‘s initiative and willingness to go above and beyond their normal duties. A good candidate should be able to describe how they went out of their way to complete a task, even if it was not part of their job description.
To volunteer for something that doesn’t fit their role, a good candidate should be able to demonstrate their initiative and willingness to go above and beyond their normal duties. They should be able to describe how they went out of their way to complete a task, even if it was not part of their job description.
How do you keep a project moving forward when you’re not seeing results?
This question can help assess a candidate‘s problem–solving skills and ability to remain motivated during difficult times. A good candidate should be able to explain how they would adjust their approach to ensure the project was still progressing, and what strategies they would use to stay motivated.
To keep a project moving forward when they’re not seeing results, a good candidate should be able to explain how they would adjust their approach to ensure the project was still progressing and what strategies they would use to stay motivated. They should be able to think critically and come up with solutions to difficult problems.
Tell me about a time you spoke up for someone whose voice wasn’t being heard
This question can help you assess a candidate‘s empathy and ability to take action when it is needed. A good candidate should be able to describe a situation where they spoke up for someone else and explain the outcome of the situation.
To speak up for someone whose voice wasn’t being heard, a good candidate should be able to demonstrate their empathy and ability to take action when it is needed. They should be able to provide a detailed account of a situation where they spoke up for someone else and explain the outcome of the situation.
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The Benefits of Behavioral Interview Questions
Behavioral interview questions can quickly confirm or deny your hunches about a candidate. They’re designed to help answer the crucial question: “Is this person who we think they are?” By asking questions that focus on real-life experiences and behaviors, you’ll get a better sense of the candidate’s ability to succeed in the sales manager role.
In addition, since you’ve already identified your job target, a simple “yes” to a behavioral interview question can dramatically reduce your time to hire. You’ll be able to make a more informed hiring decision and be confident in your choice.
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As a hiring manager, finding the right fit for a role can be a challenge in today’s job market. Good candidates are scarce and you simply can’t afford to make a mis-hire.
Hire with Confidence
Hiring the right sales manager is critical to the success of your organization. By using behavioral interview questions, you can assess the key competencies and behaviors required for success in this role. You’ll be able to hire with confidence and find the right fit for your organization. Don’t get caught up in a person’s technical background. Instead, focus on the behaviors and competencies that will lead to success in a sales manager role. Use behavioral interview questions to assess these key factors and hire with confidence.
Finding the right professional for your business can be a daunting task. But with the right knowledge of the skills you need, and the traits they should possess, you can hire the perfect commercial professional to drive your business forward.
360 Talent Solutions partners with companies who put patients at the heart of their commercial strategy. We are always searching for the best talent to drive local, international, and global teams.
I have spent the last 10 years supporting life science companies to hire the best commercial talent in the UK and across Europe. If you are planning on growing your commercial team, please contact me today, I will be happy to help.
With our expertise and vast network of commercial professionals, we can help you find the best fit for your team, company, and mission.
Let’s get started!
Dave Crumby
Founder at 360 Talent Solutions
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