The 5 Best Questions to Ask During a Sales Interview

You should aim to leave every interview that you go on with the thought that you did not only interview well, but that you started and participated in an informative, collaborative and professional conversation.

Without collaboration, you cannot gauge how you are doing in the interview, and thus will fail to adjust things such as tone of voice or body language accordingly.

1. What traits do successful employees possess?

We all know what traits make most individuals successful, but not many know to ask this question.

This is a perfect question to ask if you feel that you are being bombarded as it will get the interviewer speaking and, thus even out the conversation rather than being spoken to for the duration...a mundane hour for both sides of the table.

2. What, if any research can I do when I get home to possibly increase my chances of being successful if I'm chosen for a 2nd interview?

Besides giving you 2nd and, possibly final round interview preparation that most likely won't be given to all applicants, asking this question will make you appear to be more engaged with the company than other potential job seekers.

The majority of those interviewing are overly concerned with what the employer can do for them.

Rather, be concerned as to how you could earn the job from the employer.

3. Is salary able to be renegotiated in 6 months?

Only use this if you are feeling put off by the offer given.

Otherwise, you will come across as a risk; meaning that you are someone who will leverage any short-term success that you have with the company.

While this may not scare a HR rep., ask this question when offered a fair salary with a business owner and you're bound to be suspect.

4. Where do you see the company in 3 years? Where do you see the firm in 5 years?

Your future with any firm is only as good as the future of the firm itself.

Throwing out specific long-term plans is nearly impossible and, most of the time confidential, but getting a rough gauge of where the interviewer thinks the company is going can save you from sinking with a ship that half in the water.

5. What is the quota? What percentage of employees typically reach that number? What exceed that number?

Before taking a sales job, always know what the quota is.

While some companies may not always know this (i.e. due to growth, new business segments, etc.), the ones who firmly do should be fair in the expectations put upon you.

Starting a position at a new company carries enough stress as is; trying to reach an unobtainable sales goal will turn that stress into pure misery.


Ken Sundheim runs KAS Placement, an executive staffing firm that Ken started in 2005.

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Ken's articles have appeared in, among many others Forbes, NYTimes, USA Today and more.

KAS Placement is an executive recruitment agency.