CorporateSis

Account Executive

Interviewing with a Solution Architect: do's and don'ts?

Hi everyone,

I'm interviewing tomorrow with a Solution Architect as part of the hiring process for a role as Enterprise AE. I have never interviewed with a technical person before, so was hoping you guys could share some advice and do's / don'ts.

It's quite a complex product to sell, so obviously I have been trying to understand the basics as well as the latest innovations, but I also expect questions in the sense of "how do you work together with you SE, SA etc.".

What's the best way to go around this?

Imo it's at least as important to show your critical thinking and potential to learn, and as such ask a lot of questions back. What do you think is the main thing that they are looking for in this part of the process?

Many thanks fellow sellers and engineers!

☁️ Software Tech

👥 Hiring

😀 Sales Engineer

15 comments

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pirate

Big Shot

🦜☠️ Account Executive

Had this question a few times. Essentially it's saying that you will only bring them well qualified leads, tell them all the background you have on customer, work as a team, that this is how you have worked with them in the past, this is what you learned not to do. Ask them about how they like working with AE. They're seeing if you will be a good colleague for them as well. Good luck with the interviews

CorporateSis

Contributor

Account Executive

Many thanks @pirate !!!

braintank

Politicker

Enterprise Account Executive

Show them you'll treat them as a peer rather than a demo monkey.

NoToBANT

Catalyst

Senior Account Executive

This! Show them how you would treat me as an equal.

SAs are fu**ing fantastic at their jobs (normally)

I would also questions like:
- when do you typically get involved in the process?
- what have you found are the best qualities in an AE when working with an SA?

Talk about how you like to support them and stories of how good discovery has led to uncovered insights that an SA could use to do the best demo

CorporateSis

Contributor

Account Executive

Agreed, most of them deserve a serious raise. Thank you for this, much appreciated!

jefe

Arsonist

🍁

But..

CorporateSis

Contributor

Account Executive

lol

BigShrimpin

Catalyst

Account executive

Exactly, show that you understand they have a lot of shit to do and you're not gonna drag them in to spend an hour for anything with a pulse

CorporateSis

Contributor

Account Executive

On point, thanks!

Phillip_J_Fry

Opinionated

Director of Revenue

Speak to collaborating as a team to help move deals. Talk about qualifying leads to maximize their time and ensure it's being used effectively. Ask about common questions/objections they get from customers. Show an interest in learning the product so you can one day field most of the entry level questions.

CorporateSis

Contributor

Account Executive

Many thanks @Phillip_J_Fry !

CuriousFox

WR Officer

🦊

Good luck!

CorporateSis

Contributor

Account Executive

Thanks!!!

Sunbunny31

Politicker

Sr Sales Executive 🐰

Great suggestions below. I'll add, ask them what they've seen the most successful reps do when it comes to working with the SA team.

CorporateSis

Contributor

Account Executive

The interview was wild though - I prepped well but it's a whole new product world for me, and I had to say a couple of times "I have no idea at all" on very, very technical questions. Wondering if the answer, or rather the way you go about it (along with curiosity) is the most important here.
Thanks everyone for your tips and advice!

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CorporateSis

Interviewing with a Solution Architect: do's and don'ts?

15 comments

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