The main responsibilities of a National Sales Manager include developing and implementing efficient sales strategies of an organization for the entire country.
They also drive the nationwide sales team members to achieve their respective sales targets. It is important that they establish productive and professional relationships with key persons in their customer accounts.
The National Sales Manager must possess the ability to understand and analyze sales performance metrics along with a solid focus on customer service. It must be backed by excellent negotiation skills too.
A person acting as the National Sales Manager must always be ready to travel to any part of the country within a short notice period. Strong communication and team management skills are mandatory to lead different sales teams of the entire country.
As a National Sales Manager, one must use their creativity and thorough knowledge of sales processes to provide innovative ideas for business development. It is also essential for the National Sales Manager to develop and maintain good relations with their clients.
Since the roles and responsibilities of a National Sales Manager are many, the interviewing process is bound to be complicated. A person who is supposed to be interviewed for the post of National Sales Manager must be well prepared as they might have to face a lot of tough questions.
We bring some of the frequently asked questions in an interview for the position of National Sales Manager:
What will be your management style as the National Sales Manager?
While answering this question, avoid any labels. Progressive, consultative, and persuasive are the most commonly used labels, which can have different meanings depending on the situation. So it is better that you choose the situational style, meaning that your management style will depend on the situation.
Sample answer
I believe that proper delegation of responsibility and authority is of utmost importance. A team shouldn’t be affected by low expectations or ego. It should get the scope to develop and grow as individuals and a whole. I believe in building a team where each member is clear about their responsibility, their standing and is confident that they can trust and depend on one another.
What is your experience when it comes to discussing our post for the National Sales Manager position?
While answering this question, speak about the position you are applying for and the qualities you possess to get the job. Every interviewer appreciates a candidate who is confident and proud of the work experience they have earned.
In addition, interviewers love seeing your passion for transferring these valuable skills to your future role or position.
Sample Answer
Since my first job at 18, I have been doing something or the other to keep myself occupied. I worked as a sales intern during my final year of college, and that is when I realized that this is what I want to do for the rest of my life.
So after college, I gained some work experience and then did an MBA in Sales and Marketing. I have been working as a regional sales manager for the last five years in XYZ Company.
What are your efforts in personal development over the last 12 months?
This question gives you the best opportunity to showcase what you achieved personally and professionally in the past.
However, always keep in mind that employers look for applicants who are self-motivated and are goal-oriented. Therefore, even if you don’t have any prior experience for the role you are applying for, list out your hobbies and achievements with confidence and convince them that you can handle any situation that your job throws in.
Sample Answer
The sales industry is ever-changing and it is imperative for professionals in this field to gain knowledge to remain updated and stay in the moment. For example, none of us would have ever thought we would spend an entire year selling on Zoom. But that appears to be firmly a part of selling today.
I regularly attend seminars and conferences to earn more information and guidance on the evolving sales industry. It also helps me to develop my skills and learn new things. Also, it is through the conferences that I connected with great leaders of the industry.
It has boosted the value of my professional network manifold and gives me better ideas, energy, and in-depth knowledge that I am able to apply in my position.
Why do you think we should hire you?
You should highlight your strengths, and if the interviewer hasn’t given you a chance to mention that one “good point” quality about yourself, now would be a perfect time. However, your answer shouldn’t demonstrate how the position is going to benefit you. Also, never try to criticize your fellow interviewee’s in an attempt to make yourself look superior.
Sample Answer
I believe I have all the required skills and qualifications to become the National Sales Manager. I have been working for the last 12 years in sales and marketing, so I possess all the skills you want for this job profile.
Furthermore, I have successfully managed a team of 25 people in my previous company. I believe that I will excel in this job as I am good at leading a team and also in meeting quarterly and annual targets. Lastly, I would like to say that I am always up for new challenges, so you can count on me that I won’t back out from any given situation.
What do you like about Sales?
This question is quite common in an interview for the sales field. Employers ask this to see how motivated you as the candidate are in sales and lead a team. A sales job requires a lot of motivation and the Sales manager is the one who provides all the motivation to the team. Therefore, you must show enthusiasm while answering this question and give examples of motivational times in your career.
Sample Answer
I love sales as it lets me help customers in finding the right product and services for them. I find it very rewarding when my service helps or satisfies others. I have always been a team player, so I enjoy working with a team to complete tasks and meet targets.
For example, in my previous job, we were falling behind our sales target by merely three units on the last day of the quarter. The whole sales team gathered, and I decided that I would sponsor a team dinner if we succeeded. Not only did we manage to break the record, but we exceeded five. The celebratory lunch that week was super fun. I enjoy the whole process of coming up with ideas to keep my team motivated.
Tell me about yourself
The question ranks as one of the most frequently asked questions in any job interview. Never make your answer sound memorized while you are answering this question. The interviewer has very little interest in hearing about everything you’ve ever done, so keep it short and focus on your education, your work history, relatable hobbies, and outside interests, as well as your current situation.
Sample Answer
I have been handling and working efficiently in management positions for the past 10 years and I have excelled in leadership and organizational skills. Looking at the job description, I believe you are looking for a person with these qualities of leadership, efficiency, and organizational capabilities.
As I see it, I fit this role perfectly. Throughout my professional career, I have built, developed, and handled teams that gave innovative and complex solutions to any and every problem. I would love to contribute to the future successes of your company by standing out as a proficient employee and efficient team leader.
What do you know about us, and where did you hear about the company?
This question is an excellent opportunity for you to stand out from other applicants and demonstrate initiative.
Almost every company has a website, social media pages like Facebook, Instagram, or any digital footprint. Research a bit about their digital presence and social handles. Check their ‘about us’ section to properly know about the company you are applying to.
Get to know some of the principal people who work there and also who the founders are. As the National Sales Manager, you are likely to be interviewing with the C-level cadre. So, learning more about their career path can help you make your answer more relatable to them.
Sample Answer
I’m really motivated by the values and mission of your company. I see that many of the ethics that are crucial for the organization are also important for my growth and career development. Also, I have always been a huge admirer of the way your company focuses on giving efficient service to its clientele and the way it stands bold on its values.
I would love to acquire the opportunity to share with you my ideas for the further development of your company. My goal would always be to carry and maintain the values and mission of your company and to keep the clientele happy.
Why are you leaving your last job?
This question can be a deal-breaker, so be very cautious when you answer this question. While most individuals look for a new job as a means to increase their pay, “not being paid adequately enough at your last job” isn’t something you want to mention to your interviewer.
If you’re currently employed and leaving on the job on your own accord, give a good response. Enhance your career development and your seeking of new challenges as a response. If the current employer is downsizing, you should be open about it and maintain a positive outlook on the situation.
Sample Answer
I have been working in my present company for the past five years and while it is absolutely enjoyable, I do not want to get into any sort of comfort zone with respect to the peers I work with, or the industry.
I feel like I am experienced enough to handle more responsibilities and challenges. I frankly believe that I have progressed in my current role as far as I can as there is nothing new for me to learn there. I am on the lookout for new experiences and opportunities where I can prove my talent.
What are your strengths?
This question may look like an invitation for some chest-thumping. Always remember to showcase only those strengths that will benefit the employer and are relative to the position.
In this case, as the position is that of National Sales Manager, your answers should include things like I am a problem solver, good at motivating the team, a natural leader, and the ability to perform under pressure.
Don’t waste the valuable time of the interviewer, be confident and focus on the strengths you think will help you in getting the job.
Sample Answer
My greatest strength will be my ability to organize things and execute them as per requirements. I am also quite persistent in what I do, and this has helped me to a great extent in sales, given the long sales cycle in our industry.
I am good at communications and maintaining relationships with my clients. I consult my seniors and juniors before taking any decisions that might affect them in any way. I am also good at taking constructive criticism, even if it comes from someone reporting to me.
What are your weaknesses?
It is a tricky question, so tread carefully. The primary purpose of this question is to see how you view and evaluate yourself. Therefore, you need to answer this question tactfully because if you suggest you don’t have any weaknesses, your interviewer will be almost sure that you are either a liar or egotistical, or both.
Also, never fall into the trap of presenting a positive skill as one of the weaknesses, like “I work too hard” or “I seek for perfection” because any experienced interviewer will automatically know this.
Sample Answer
I think I am a bit of an over-thinker who worries about the future more than the present. But, I am working hard to change this habit and have made progress in the last few months. I have started working more in the present rather than sit and worry about the future. I am learning to enjoy the process and not worry about the future.
Where do you see yourself in the next five years?
This question is about your commitment to the job. The employer will judge how serious you are about the position through this question. Although no interviewer will ever expect you to extend your services for a company forever, respond in a way that will highlight progression in the career path.
Your answer to this question should also highlight an alignment with the company’s needs and goals. Self-awareness is what you need to answer this question. As your employer doesn’t wish to assign you to an unwanted path that would waste time and energy for both, use a good answer.
Sample Answer
Serving as the NSM can be a lot of responsibility, and I want to spend the next few years really absorbing all the learnings I can get from this job. Also, I understand that progressing from where I am to the National Sales Head comes with new lessons in leadership and temperament, that I may not have been exposed to yet.
In five years, I believe I will be ready for the next phase of my career – be it entrepreneurial, or securing a CXO role at my next organization; depending on what I aspire to when the time comes.
What is your expected salary?
Many experts consider this question to be a loaded gun that can be dangerous in the hands of the inexperienced. Don’t make the mistake of talking salary before you have had an opportunity to illustrate your skillset and value, making any leverage valueless. Here, knowledge is essential, as salary often comes down to negotiation.
You must do some research into your industry to establish base rates of pay based on seniority and demand but keep in mind that your employer is hiring you for what they believe your worth is and how many benefits they feel you will provide.
Sample Answer
Given my experience in sales and Marketing and the position I am in the current company, I am looking for a position that will offer me between $80,000 and $100,000 annually. However, I am open to negotiations on salary depending on the benefits, bonuses, ESOPs, and other good opportunities your company offers.
Do you have any questions?
This one is a question you can almost be assured will be asked, and you better have a constructive answer ready. You demonstrate initiative and show that you care enough about the job to have done some research by asking a few constructive questions.
Always ask questions that focus on areas you can be an asset and have complete knowledge about. Beyond this, some questions can be more direct, including productivity, expectations, training, and other logistics. All this being said, always try to limit the questions to no more than three or four.
Sample Answer
Firstly I would love to know the work culture of your organization so that I can prepare myself to adjust better if I get selected?
Secondly, how big is the sales team here?
Can I get a brief idea of the performance of the sales team?
Tips for Preparing for the Interview
It is to your advantage if you research the company you are applying to, as this will come in handy during the interview. Interviews never follow the same format of questions, and each interviewer will have a style. However, some questions will be common in almost every interview. Keep the following points in mind while taking the interview for the National Sales Manager:
- Try to find out such questions and prepare the answers beforehand to answer those questions confidently and create a good impression on the interviewer.
- Before your interview, do spend some time coming up with concrete examples of prior work achievements and how they demonstrate the desired ability.
- First impressions make or break things, and the same goes for your interviewer’s impression of you. Whether you admit it or not, the reality is you will be judged from the moment you arrive at the door during an interview. It is where the research works its part.
- Always dress up adequately for a job interview. If you under-dress for the interview, the interviewer will take you to be too relaxed and not serious about the position. On the other hand, overdressing can make you look like overcompensation. So always dress sharp and in classic business casual when you go out for an interview.
- Ensure you’ve planned out your route well in advance and provided ample extra time for unexpected traffic and parking issues as you don’t want to show up late for an interview.
- Always smile while greeting, and keep in mind that your interviewer might be just as nervous as you are.
- During the interview, your body language plays a vital role. So don’t slouch back in your chair or appear “hunched over” in a defensive position. Instead, sit tall, proud, and confident.