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Sales interview questions and answers

By the JobberNest team · Reviewed 3 November 2026

Sales interviews test whether you can sell, so the interview itself is a sale. Expect to talk about your numbers in detail and to sell something on the spot.

The questions

  1. 1.What was your target last year, and what did you achieve?

    What they're looking for: Your real performance.

    How to answer: Give the target, the result and the percentage. Then explain how: the customers, the routes, the actions that made the difference.

  2. 2.Sell me this pen.

    What they're looking for: Questioning, listening and closing.

    How to answer: Ask what they use a pen for and what annoys them about their current one. Then sell the benefits that answer that need, and ask for the sale.

  3. 3.How do you handle rejection?

    What they're looking for: Resilience.

    How to answer: Treat each no as information: ask why, learn from it and move to the next prospect. Give an example of a customer who said no and later said yes.

  4. 4.How would you open a new territory?

    What they're looking for: Planning.

    How to answer: Map the outlets or prospects, prioritise by potential, plan routes, start with a strong offer, and track conversion each week.

  5. 5.A big customer hasn't paid for two months. What do you do?

    What they're looking for: Credit control and relationships.

    How to answer: Find out why, agree a payment plan, pause new credit if policy requires, and keep the relationship respectful.

Questions to ask the interviewer

  • What does the territory or account list look like?
  • How is commission structured?
  • What support does marketing give the sales team?

Tips

  1. 1

    Know your numbers cold

    If you hesitate on your own figures, interviewers doubt them.

  2. 2

    Close the interview

    At the end, ask if there's anything stopping them from moving you forward. It shows you can close.

Questions people ask

I have no sales experience. Can I still get a sales job?

Yes, especially entry-level and trainee roles. Show anything where you persuaded people or sold something: a small business, a student event, fundraising.