Sale Boy Interview Questions & Answers

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This is something that might be very difficult to answer. Whatever you choose to talk about, important to remember is to say what the outcome was and state what you learned from this experience. Don't say that you were fired!

Be specific. You should come prepared with at least three examples of ways you personally contributed to increased pharmaceutical sales. Back up your points. Before the interview, write three specific situations in your current or previous jobs when you attained goals. Example: "I increased the sales of X with my three-part strategy of…"

If you've been employed before, try to make this sound positive.
☛ You're looking for more of a challenge
☛ Your current role is too restricting or doesn't give you enough responsibility.
☛ etc

This interview question is negatively phrased and is designed to uncover a lack of confidence or weakness. When giving your answer the key is not to admit to inadequacies, but to focus on meeting, and surmounting challenges which form a regular part of the salesperson's job. An example of a skill, or lesson learned as a result of overcoming a difficulty is seen as indicative of a positive and determined attitude.

Provide some examples of occasions where you were under pressure and you succeeded.

Over my career I've not only met all minimum quotas but I've set several sales records. Between 2013 and 2014, when many sales professionals in my industry were seeking non-sales related jobs due to the recession, I was able to increase my production by 10% over the previous year. Even though market conditions weren't ideal, I was able to find new sales strategies and techniques to help me maintain my momentum.

Everyone says they're an eight or nine, according to Scott Brent, author of the book Tactical Aggressiveness (due out in July 2011), which features job interview tips for pharma sales reps and other professionals. "But you also need to explain why you are that kind of person," he says. "Give some situations of how you're competitive both on and off the job."

Confidence and persistence are the most important qualities for a sales person, without which you can never hope to succeed. As well as confidence in yourself you need confidence in the product which should be palpable and obvious.

I worked for four years as a door-to-door salemen selling pest control contracts in Atlanta, Georgia. Rejection was the name of the game in that industry. Salesmen that let the rejection get to them were ineffective, and often quit. Successful door-to-door salesmen recognized that rejection was just the nature of the job--it was nothing personal. Loosing a sale isn't fun. But I look at rejection as an opportunity to learn and improve my sales technique.

Translates to: Do I fit the bill for the kind of person they are looking for? Maybe you'd know whether you are up to the job better than they.

No matter what you really believe, the answer they want is yes. And prepare to give examples. "Even if you've hit a stretch of bad luck, you must find the nuggets of gold in your life,"

This could be through study, training or experience. It all depends on the type of person you are and the type of skills you have.

Well, I have been a fan of your company and your products for a long time now. My family has used your products. I have your X, Y, and Z. I use your Z, A, and B and love them. I saw your company at a charity event and the guys that were at the event really seemed energetic and were all volunteering. I went home and did some research.

This is a great answer because it lets the interviewer know that this job opportunity didn't just fall in your lap, even if it did.

What happened? What was the outcome? Questions about leadership can be academic or otherwise. Consider any roles you might have had in clubs or societies. Maybe you organised events for your university sports team, or you were head boy/girl at school/college and made some good decisions

The interviewers wish to know whether you are ambitious. They also wish to know how well you understand the industry and your own potential. Questions like these should be answered with clarity. Your answer should reveal to the interviewers that you know exactly what you are doing. You may reply that you see yourself as the chief editor of the creative department in a prominent firm. This reply reveals confidence and clear understanding of the industry.

Every organisation looks for good leadership qualities in their employees. While freshers are expected to follow their seniors in most situations, the firms know that only freshers can bring in change. They look for youngsters with an ability to bring change. You need to explain your leadership skills and your ability to understand the situation and find an apt solution. They seek leaders who are not bossy but understanding. Power blinds most men and you need to show the interviewers how you can help progress happen with your leadership skills.

Tell the truth, but don't focus on minutiae. This is your chance to highlight traits that are helpful in pharma sales jobs, such as initiative, organization and the ability to follow through.

The huge organisations succeed because they work in teams. An individual needs to have a very high level of understanding to be able to perform in a team. The interviewers always seek team players. If they ask you whether you are one, you should be able to tell them how good you are while working in a team. Give them examples of college events where you have actively participated.

I enjoy both. At my last job, the schedule was dependent on the customer requests. At Christmas we always are very busy and have a lot of orders to ship out. I really enjoyed that time because everyone is in a good mood, things are festive, we make it a point to take turns bringing in treats, and after Christmas we usually celebrate. At other times, I have been asked by my manager to go clean the back room. The back room is filled with inventory that hasn't been put away and it really is a one person job. I can look forward to this time as well. I just bring my iPod, put in my headphones and get into a zone.

☛ Dedication
☛ Initiative
☛ Innovation
☛ Motivation
☛ Enthusiam
☛ etc

This is another tricky question that is often posed to freshers during interviews. The interviewers try to gauge your understanding of different ideologies. Picking any particular ideology could be risky during an interview. The interviewer may be a staunch socialist and if you pick democracy, you may have a tough time putting your point across. You need to pick an amalgamation of different ideologies that help organisations function efficiently. Such an answer can keep you safe even while tackling tough interviewers.

Be honest when asked a question like this.
I typically state something along the lines of "overly dogmatic". - anonymous
Hehehe, for me it'd probably be that I don't like to admit when I've made a mistake - JR

Show them, first, that you've researched the company and understand its needs. What are the sales figures for the company's products? How do its drugs stack up against others in their class? Where is the company headed? Then, explain how your specialized knowledge, skills, network, commitment and enthusiasm will exactly meet those needs. Before the interview, list four to six categories of reasons that best support your candidacy along with supporting evidence for each.

For the last five years I've worked as a sales engineer for XYZ company. For the last three years I been the top producing sales engineer in my division. Notwithstanding the success I've achieved, one of the challenges I've faced time and again is trying to convince prospective clients that they should swith from your company's platform to XYZ's platform. Your company has a stellar reputation for quality and customer service, and you're unquestionably the leader in this industry. XYZ knows it, I know it and the industry knows it. I'm confident, if given the opportunity to sell your products, I could be one of the very top producers for your company.

First I usually try to figure out what is causing the conflict. There is usually a reason. Most people don't want to argue or disagree so there is usually something else that is going on. I am on a soccer team and there is someone on the team that recently has been very difficult to deal with. He wasn't always like this. It wasn't just me that was getting this treatment it was the entire team. One day after practice, I asked him out for a beer and got him into a setting that was neutral for both of us and just asked him "what's going on with you? You aren't your normal self, is everything OK?" It turned out that his company was going through some tough times and he was worried about having to let some folks go. We talked for a while, and things got better at practices. I always made it a point to greet him personally when I saw him and let him know he had an ally and was watching out for him. I usually try to find out what is behind the conflict.