Sales interview questions and answers in English
The questions a sales manager really asks, from 'sell me this pen' to a deal you closed, with model answers in simple English. Read them, then practise out loud: Dana asks, you answer, and you get one wording fix and one tip each time.
Free · no sign-up · 6 questions · about 10 minutes
This interview tests
- Handling objections
- Building relationships
- Meeting targets
- Free no sign-up
- 6 questions
- About 10 minutes
- Speak or type
Your sales interview
Dana, the sales manager, asks six questions.
Dana, the sales manager, asks first
Tell me about yourself and your sales experience.
8 sales interview questions and answers in English
Each question has what the interviewer wants to hear, and a model answer at B1 and at B2. B1 is short and simple; B2 adds detail and linking words. Use your real experience, in your own words.
Tell me about yourself and your sales experience.
What they want to hear. What you sell now, for how long, one result, and why you want this role. Keep it under a minute.
B1 answer
I'm a sales assistant in an electronics shop. I've worked there for three years. I help customers choose phones and laptops, and I often sell extra products like cases and insurance. Last year I was the top seller in my shop for four months. Now I want to move into business sales and work with bigger clients.
B2 answer
I've been in sales for four years, first in retail and for the last two years as a sales representative for an office supplies company. I manage around 60 business accounts and look for new clients by phone and email. Last year I reached 115 percent of my target. I'm now looking for a role with bigger accounts and longer sales cycles, which is why this position appeals to me.
Why do you want to work in sales?
What they want to hear. A real reason, such as enjoying people or clear goals, and one strength that makes you good at selling.
B1 answer
I like talking to people, and I like clear goals. In sales, I can see my results every day. I am also good at listening, so I understand what customers need. When a customer leaves happy with the right product, I feel great. That is why I want to work in sales.
B2 answer
I enjoy the mix of people and numbers. I like building relationships with customers, and I also like having a clear target, because it shows me exactly how I'm doing. I'm a good listener and I stay positive after a 'no', which matters a lot in this job. In my last role I was the top seller for four months in a row, and that kind of result motivates me.
Sell me this pen.
What they want to hear. That you ask about the buyer's needs before you talk about the product, link one benefit to those needs, and then ask for the sale.
B1 answer
Before I start, can I ask you a question? How often do you sign documents at work? Every day? Then you need a pen that always works. This pen writes smoothly and it does not leak in your bag. It also looks professional in a meeting. It costs less than a coffee. Shall I give you two, one for work and one for home?
B2 answer
First, let me ask you something. When did you last sign something important, like a contract? And did your pen work well? I ask because a cheap pen that stops in the middle of a signature makes a bad impression. This one writes smoothly every time, it fits in a jacket pocket and it lasts for months. If that sounds useful, shall I put one aside for you today?
What do you say when a customer says your product is too expensive?
What they want to hear. That you stay calm, find out what the customer is comparing it with, and explain the value before you think about a discount.
B1 answer
First I say, 'I understand.' I don't argue. Then I ask what they are comparing it with. Often the cheaper product does less. I explain what they get for the price, for example a longer guarantee or free delivery. If the price is still a problem, I show a cheaper model that fits their budget.
B2 answer
I treat it as a question about value, not only price. I start by saying I understand, and then I ask what they are comparing us with. Usually there is a difference, such as a longer warranty, faster service or lower running costs, so I explain that clearly. If the budget really is fixed, I offer a smaller package rather than a big discount, because that protects our margin.
Tell me about a time when you closed a difficult deal.
What they want to hear. One real deal: the situation, what you had to do, the steps you took and the result, with a number if you can.
B1 answer
Last year a restaurant owner wanted new coffee machines, but he said our price was too high. I had to win his trust. I visited him twice and I listened to his problems. I offered a free trial for one week. He liked the machines, and in the end he bought three. He is still my client today.
B2 answer
In my last job, I was trying to sign a chain of five gyms. The manager liked our product, but the owner thought the contract was too long. My goal was to close before their budget ended in June. I asked for a meeting with both of them, listened to their concerns and offered a shorter first contract with a review after six months. As a result, they signed, and a year later they renewed for three years.
How do you handle rejection?
What they want to hear. That a 'no' does not stop you: you stay positive, learn something from it and move on to the next customer.
B1 answer
Rejection is part of sales, so I don't take it personally. After a 'no', I politely ask the customer why. Then I write a short note so I can learn from it. After that I take a breath and call the next customer. Sometimes a 'no' today becomes a 'yes' in a few months.
B2 answer
I see rejection as information, not as a personal failure. When a prospect says no, I thank them and, if possible, ask what made them decide. I keep a short note in the CRM, and every Friday I look for patterns. For example, I noticed that I was losing deals on delivery times, so I started explaining them earlier. Then I simply move on to the next call.
How do you make sure you meet your sales targets?
What they want to hear. A clear plan: how you break the target into daily or weekly numbers and how you track them.
B1 answer
First I divide my monthly target into weekly goals. For example, I need ten new meetings every week. I make 30 calls a day and I follow up with every lead. On Friday I check my numbers. If I am behind, I plan more calls for the next week.
B2 answer
I work backwards from the target. If I need 20 deals a quarter and I close about one in five meetings, I need 100 meetings, so around eight a week. Then I block time every morning for calls, update my pipeline daily and review it with my manager on Mondays. Last quarter this helped me finish at 108 percent of my target.
Do you have any questions for us?
What they want to hear. One or two real questions about the team, the training or how success is measured. Leave pay and commission for a later stage, unless they bring it up.
B1 answer
Yes, I have two questions. What does training look like for new salespeople in the first month? And how does the team find new leads, or do I find them myself? I want to understand how I can be useful from my first week.
B2 answer
Yes, two. First, how is the target set for a new sales representative, and how much time do new people have to reach it? Second, what do your best salespeople do differently from the rest of the team? I'd like to understand what success looks like here, so I can aim for it from the start. That would help me plan my first three months.
Useful English words for a sales interview
The words interviewers expect you to know, with a short meaning. Use two or three of them in your answers.
- targetthe amount you must sell
- leada person who may become a customer
- close a dealget the customer to agree to buy
- objectiona reason the customer gives for not buying
- follow-upcontact after the first meeting
- commissionextra pay for what you sell
- pipelineall the deals you are working on
- upsellsell a better or bigger product
- cold callcalling someone who does not know you
- rapporta friendly, trusting relationship
Useful phrases for a sales interview
- I've worked in sales for … years.Describe your experience.
- Last quarter I reached … percent of my target.Give a result.
- Can I ask what you need it for?Find out the customer's needs.
- I understand. Can I ask what you're comparing it with?Answer a price objection.
- I don't take a 'no' personally.Talk about rejection.
- I followed up a week later and …Tell a sales story.
- In the end, the client signed a … contract.Finish a story with a result.
- How is the target set for a new …?Ask about the role.
Common English mistakes in a sales interview
I am working in sales since 2020.I've worked in sales since 2020.
Use present perfect with 'since'.
I sold to him three machines.I sold him three machines.
'Sell someone something' or 'sell something to someone'.
I reached 120 percents of my target.I reached 120 percent of my target.
'Percent' has no plural.
The price is too expensive.The price is too high.
A price is high; a product is expensive.
I am good in selling.I'm good at selling.
We say 'good at' + -ing.
Sales interview in English FAQ
How do I answer 'Sell me this pen' in English?
Do not start with the pen. Ask one or two questions first, such as 'How often do you sign documents?', then link one benefit to the answer and ask for the sale: 'Shall I give you two?' The interviewer wants to see that you listen before you sell.
What are the most common sales interview questions?
Tell me about yourself, why sales, sell me this pen, a customer who says it is too expensive, a deal you closed, how you handle rejection, how you meet your targets, and do you have any questions for us. All eight are on this page with model answers.
How do I talk about my sales results in English?
Use a number and the right verb: 'I reached 115 percent of my target', 'I closed 14 deals last quarter', 'I manage around 60 accounts'. One clear number says more than 'I am a very good seller'.
How do I answer 'How do you handle rejection?'
Show that a 'no' does not stop you, and say what you do next: 'I don't take it personally. I ask why, I make a short note, and I move on to the next call.' One small thing you changed because of a 'no' makes the answer stronger.
What English phrases are useful in a sales interview?
'I've worked in sales for … years', 'I reached … percent of my target', 'Can I ask what you need it for?' and 'In the end, the client signed'. The phrase list on this page has more, with when to use each one.
Can I practise a sales interview in English for free?
Yes. Choose Sales on this page and press Start. Dana asks six questions out loud; you answer by voice or by typing. After each answer you see one wording fix and one tip, worked out from your own words by rules for common learner mistakes and the parts a good answer needs. Free, no sign-up.
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