Leo96

SDR

“How often did you hit your quota?” interview question

Hi everyone, I got laid off from my first SDR role a couple days. Was at the company for 10 months and was able to hit the minimum number of meetings (10) to not get on a warning half them time there but wasn’t able to make quota (15). And I was always in the top 1% for KPIs. My manager said it was mainly a confidence thing and I admit that sometimes I did feel intimidated because our prospects were accomplished lawyers. I also have an accent (that sometimes I get hyper conscious about) but people say I speak clearly so idk that that was a problem.

Basically my question is when I interview for other SDR roles and people ask me how often did I hit my quota? Should I lie or tell the truth and how I’m working on it outside of work (watching and practicing videos on projecting voice, tonality, improv, etc)?

I would say I have an impeachable character so I would hate to lie but I also have to keep cheerios on the table and I know I have the grit to do well. So yeah what do y’all think?

☁️ Software Tech

🚀 Career Goals

18

15 comments

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Kosta_Konfucius

Politicker

6

Sales Rep

Always tell the truth, I wouldn't share if you didn't make quota unless they asked.

When you bring it up, walk through what you learned and how you will ramp up quicker in this new role

Sunbunny31

Politicker

4

Sr Sales Executive 🐰

This sounds like it was your first sales job, so I'd be honest and say you're looking forward to a good opportunity and to leveraging what you've already learned to excel in the new role.

Tip: a knowledgeable lawyer is still a person. C-level execs are just people too. The one thing higher level execs have in common is that they don't have a lot of time, so be respectful of that, get to the point, be confident in your product/solution and the value it brings, and you'll be just fine.

oldcloser

Arsonist

3

💀

yep, your truth here really isn't that painful. Tell'em

CPTAmerica

Opinionated

2

President/CRO

Doing the right thing is always the right thing

TennisandSales

Politicker

2

Head Of Sales

I would mention that you hit 10 meetings every month with a record of (X). and that your KPI's were (X) which put you in the top 1% of your team. (mention how many ppl there are)

punishedlad

Tycoon

1

Business Development Team Lead

Lying can only serve to bite you in the butt. Stretching the truth is one thing, but outright lying never reflects well.

Diablo

Politicker

1

Sr. AE

Dude you have done great, you have just started off. No point lying but don’t disclose toomuch unless asked for that might become the turning point. All the best !

Maximas

Tycoon

0

Senior Sales Executive

You don't have to lie, I guess you just stated you've already achieved the minimum number of meetings (10), so push for meetings more than quota and let them know that you already nailed it and that should be enough, as I believe they won't take things further about the past employment history,so nothing to be worried about, best of luck and welcome to the WR!

Gyro25

Notorious Answer

0

Account Executive

Nothing wrong with telling the truth, especially when what you're doing by working on it shows you've identified what you're problem is and you're taking the initiative to address it.

FoodForSales

Politicker

0

AE

Try this - I had good months and bad months, as all people do. What didn't change was my effort. Regardless of what was going on, I also hit my call metrics.

HVACexpert

Politicker

0

sales engineer

I’m not sure if I’ve ever been asked this. I’ve been asked more about territory size and overall sales more vs % to quota

0

Chief Sales Officer

You won't remember a lie; you will remember the truth. When asked about quota, (as a Hiring Mngr I always ask), share your success, why you were successful, why you did not reach goal, and how you are improving your skills to achieve goal and are eager to apply these improved skills to hit and exceed quota at your firm.

0

Senior Account Executive

Don't lie, but don't bring it up, either. It sounds like that was maybe your first sales job. If so, companies interviewing you are not expecting you to be a stellar salesperson with years of experience! Continue doing SDR/BDR roles until you feel you have that down.

Regarding your comment about being confident, that is ONE THING that cannot be taught. I am always immediately drawn to candidates with confidence. Try to find ways to build confidence within yourself, and that will pour over into your sales capabilities. :)

0

Sales Representative

Just give them the facts. No sales person hits there quota 💯. Give them a ballpark figure.

0

Director of Sales, Americas

"I was always in the top 1% for KPIs" is what you say and hope they do not ask for further details.

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