By Mike SimpsonAs an account manager, you understand the power of standing out from the crowd. If you don’t impress current and prospective clients, you aren’t boosting revenue, so you usually have a plan to make sure you shine. But, when it comes time for a new position, do you also have a strategy for tackling account manager interview questions? Show
Yes, most account managers are good at thinking on their feet. But that doesn’t mean preparation isn’t important. If you want to put the same level of dedication into your job search, here’s what you need to know about tackling account manager interview questions head-on. How to Answer Account Manager Interview QuestionsAlright, we know that you’re chomping at the bit for the account manager interview questions and example answers, and we promise those are just moments away. The trick is, if you’re going to nail your next meeting with a hiring manager, you need more than that. What exactly do you need? A great strategy, of course! By having a reliable approach to interview questions, you can make sure you’re ready for both the expected and the unexpected. After all, hiring managers can ask you anything under the sun, so there is always a chance they are going to toss out a question you didn’t practice. In most cases, you know you need to be ready for classic job interview questions like, “how do you handle stress?“ and “Why are you a good fit for this job?” But you also need to prep for job-specific ones. In the end, that could include hundreds of potential questions, and you probably don’t have time to rehearse them all. With the right strategy, you can practice with greater ease as well as get ready for the questions you didn’t anticipate. So, how do you develop that strategy? By starting with a bit of research. First, you want to take a deep dive into the account manager job description. Learn the ins and out of what the hiring manager is after, including the hard skills and soft skills they are looking for. Account managers need specific capabilities, including knowledge of certain technical systems, a range of industry best practices, the ability to negotiate effectively, and traits like diligence, attention to detail, leadership, organization, and more. Usually, the hiring manager spells out what they want in the job description, giving you insights into the ones you really want to focus on. After that, it’s time to get to know the company and its products or services. Head online and check out the company’s website and social media pages. Dig into the mission and values statements to get clues about the company’s culture. Read product and service reviews for more insights about the customer experience. Once the research is handled, take some time to get to know the Tailoring Method. Why? Because the Tailoring Method teaches you how to take what you’ve learned and work it into your answers, ensuring every response to the account manager interview questions you encounter is incredibly relevant to that hiring manager. Now, you also want to learn about the STAR Method. If you combine it with the Tailoring Method when you’re answering behavioral interview questions, you can pack a one-two punch. Your answers will be targeted and engaging, which is really what you want. In fact we we wanted to let you know that we created an amazing free cheat sheet that will give you word-for-word answers for some of the toughest interview questions you are going to face in your upcoming interview. After all, hiring managers will often ask you more generalized interview questions! Click below to get your free PDF now: Get Our Job Interview Questions & Answers Cheat Sheet!FREE BONUS PDF CHEAT SHEET: Get our "Job Interview Questions & Answers PDF Cheat Sheet" that gives you "word-word sample answers to the most common job interview questions you'll face at your next interview. CLICK HERE TO GET THE JOB INTERVIEW QUESTIONS CHEAT SHEET Top 3 Account Manager Interview QuestionsOkay, now that you know how to answer account manager interview questions, it’s time for some examples. Here are the top three account manager interview questions, along with some sample responses. 1. What steps do you take to build great relationships with clients?As an account manager, it’s all about client relationships. You need to build a rapport, establish trust, and position yourself as a go-to solution to their problems. With this question, the hiring manager is learning how you go about forging those crucial connections. They want to know you have a strategy – as well as the right mindset – that helps you pull it off. EXAMPLE ANSWER:
2. If, during a cold call, a prospective customer says they are too busy to talk, what do you do?In the world of sales, persistence is usually the name of the game. The hiring manager wants to know that you aren’t going to give up. After all, 60 percent of prospects will say “no” four times before they change to a “yes,” and they need to know you’re up for that challenge. However, the hiring manager also wants to make sure you aren’t too aggressive. Yes, that can be a fine line, but they need to know you’ll walk it. EXAMPLE ANSWER:
3. If you notice that you’re falling behind your sales targets, what steps do you take to catch up?With this question, you want to tap on a few points. First, you want to discuss how you track your targets, showcasing your vigilance and dedication to meeting expectations. Second, you want to get actionable, focusing on your strategy for getting back on target if you notice you’re not quite there. EXAMPLE ANSWER:
MIKE'S TIP: If you’ve never actually fallen behind your sales targets, you might think that saying as your answer will put you ahead. The issue is, going that route will work against you. This question isn’t about whether you make your targets; it’s about how you make up ground if you fall behind. Even if you’ve never personally experienced that, share the recovery strategy you would use. That way, the hiring manager knows you have a plan, which is the answer they are actually after. 20 More Account Manager Interview QuestionsHere are 20 more account manager interview questions you might face off against along the way.
5 Good Questions to Ask at the End of an Account Manager InterviewNear the end of your meeting with the hiring manager, you typically get a big opportunity. The hiring manager will usually ask if you have any questions for them, and having a few ready is a must. If you don’t ask any questions, you may seem disinterested in the position. On the other side, thoughtful questions show that you’re curious about the role and interested in learning more, making you appear like a more engaged candidate. While coming up with questions on the fly is an option, it’s also smart to have a few at the ready. If you aren’t sure where to begin, here are five good questions to ask at the end of an account manager interview.
Putting It All TogetherIn many ways, account managers have an advantage when interviewing. They are used to speaking with other people in high-pressure situations. But now that you’ve reviewed all of the information above, you’re even more ready for the account manager interview questions. Use every tip to your advantage. That way, you’re chances of standing out are as high as possible. Good luck! FREE: Job Interview Questions & Answers PDF Cheat Sheet!Download our "Job Interview Questions & Answers PDF Cheat Sheet" that gives you word-for-word sample answers to some of the most common interview questions including:
Click Here To Get The Job Interview Questions & Answers Cheat SheetCo-Founder and CEO of TheInterviewGuys.com. Mike is a job interview and career expert and the head writer at TheInterviewGuys.com. His advice and insights have been shared and featured by publications such as Forbes, Entrepreneur, CNBC and more as well as educational institutions such as the University of Michigan, Penn State, Northeastern and others. Learn more about The Interview Guys on our About Us page. What are the 10 most common interview questions and answers for managers?Management interview questions. What's your management style?. How do you see a manager's role on a team?. How do you motivate a team?. Tell me about a time you dealt with a difficult employee.. How would your colleagues describe you?. Describe how you delegate tasks to team members.. Other frequently asked interview questions.. What questions will be asked in an accounting manager interview?Accounting Manager Interview Questions. How has your previous experience prepared you for this role?. Tell me about a policy or system you helped to create. ... . Do you have any management experience?. Tell me about your experience with budget development.. Do you have any experience with audits?. How do I prepare for a management accountant interview?Role-specific questions. What's your experience with cost-accounting? ... . Talk about your experience in budgeting.. Do you have a specialty area?. How do you maintain attention to detail?. What do you do to enhance your knowledge?. How would you rate your skills in Excel on a scale from 1 to 10?. What do you know about six sigma?. What are the 5 hardest interview questions and answers?The most difficult interview questions (and answers). What is your greatest weakness? Strengths-and-weaknesses interview questions are a given. ... . Why should we hire you? ... . What's something that you didn't like about your last job? ... . Why do you want this job? ... . How do you deal with conflict with a co-worker?. |