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gripittandripitt

Senior Global Sales Manager

Contributor
Fire Starter
Personal Narrative
+2

Interview with a CRO

wassup sales dawgz, I have an interview scheduled (2nd round) with the CRO of a newly acquired company. this would be for an AE role, what questions would you guys suggest to ask that would stand out from other candidates meeting with this persona as well as questions that you would ask a CRO after just being acquired by a larger company. my experience is mainly in start ups so this would be the first post-acquisition company that would potentially work for.

would love to hear everyone's thoughts / experience and suggestions.
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Sunbunny31
Politicker
5
Sr Sales Executive 🐰
Since they are planning to grow, I'd ask about that plan and how they anticipate success with additional reps.
Who acquired the company, and what is their interest in the company? Do they have their own strategy, and where does the company fit within that strategy? Will their reps be co-selling or not, and what are the expectations around the product and company mix?
braintank
Politicker
4
Enterprise Account Executive
Will they still be employed after acquisition?
Pachacuti
Politicker
4
They call me Daddy, Sales Daddy
Basically the CRO wants to see that you’re a fit for the company. You have already been vetted, so you’re qualified. But does he think that your personality will fit with the culture 8-9hrs per day, 5 days/week? Or least that is what he should be asking.

So ask about culture. Do some research and find areas you can honestly relate to him on. But don’t go overboard or be a kiss ass.

Talk first about your previous wins and then ask about how that fits with their top people.

Good luck!
jefe
Arsonist
3
🍁
This^^
You don't get that far if you're not qualified. Focus on this, and what @Sunbunny31 said
Sunbunny31
Politicker
1
Sr Sales Executive 🐰
Yeah, this ties into the post from a day or so ago where someone had a poll about the number of interviews, and I said maybe 4, with the 4th being the CRO. I base that on our CRO here, wanting to meet every qualified candidate in what is usually the last step, although the candidate doesn't know that. He just wants to have that last conversation.
The questions I had were so that you, as the candidate, could ask questions that ultimately will be meaningful to you and whether or not it is a good role for you. Don't forget you're also looking for a fit for yourself.
GDO
Politicker
2
BDM
Yeah he will check culture fit more than ability imo
oldcloser
Arsonist
3
💀
First thing Id want to know about any CRO is which side they came from. He’s gonna have a marketing or a sales bias. I’d want to talk to people who have worked for him in the past and find out. Then, once you’ve figured out the background, you want to know if they skew linear or creative.

If they’re metrics based, gear your questions accordingly. If they’re more a visionary type, you can dig into the vision. Not an easy question to answer without much context on the human. You gotta dig hard.
CuriousFox
WR Officer
2
🦊
Hey bay-bee where u from
oldcloser
Arsonist
1
💀
Easy way, yeah
gripittandripitt
Contributor
2
Senior Global Sales Manager
Yes so what I heard from the recruiter is that they are doubling down on the sales force given the access to new funds. Now I’m assuming that’s all surface level but hoping to dig more at the interview w the CRO
gripittandripitt
Contributor
2
Senior Global Sales Manager
@braintank
Kosta_Konfucius
Politicker
1
Sales Rep
What qualities are shown in top performers at X company?

This gives you a list of 3 things to reference in every story how you are similar with their best reps


1
Retired Sales Professional
Control the interview, allow them to ask a question and you control the rest. Show them that you are in charge. Then when they ask,"do you have any questions" you ask them, "when do I start generating revenue and blasting my goals for this company".😁👍 All the best.
HVACexpert
Politicker
1
sales engineer
Do research on the CRO and ask some questions about his previous history or experience it will show you did extra work on his background
coldcolla
Valued Contributor
0
SDR
A question I love asking in higher level interviews is "Whats one thing you wish you knew before you started your current role?" just as a way to get them to talk about themselves and learn about how they think about their role
gripittandripitt
Contributor
0
Senior Global Sales Manager
Thanks all, appreciate the insights!

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