SADNESSLieutenant profile picture
SADNESSLieutenant profile picture

SADNESSLieutenant

Officer of ♥️

Politicker
Arsonist
Opinionated
+9

What are some good questions to ask in an SDR interview

Whatsup you savage animals,


So, I'm back in the job market, I'm speaking to like 6 recruiters, and have like 5 interviews in the pipeline for this week and next week, I'm hounding sales leaders for interviews, in a nutshell, I'm slaying.


However, I wanted to get your advice on what questions either as a sales leader you want to see asked from the SDR, or what questions have gotten you great feedback or results (hired).


These are some questions I was thinking of asking, feel free to rip me a new one, or suggest your own.


the kid,

Out

***Screeches dolphin noises*** **flips a table**


  • What happened to the last person in this position? Why are you hiring?
  • When you reflect back on the last year. what was your turnover rate like? What do you think caused that (low/high) turnover rate? What did you do specifically?
  • What's the promotion path to AE look like?
  • How many reps hit quota last quarter?
  • What is the SDR/AE/SE relationship?
  • What do you see for the next 5 years of the company?
  • In your words, why do you think a prospective rep should want to work here? (sell me)
  • Management turnover in the last year? if so why?
  • Hey, I really enjoyed our time today, Based on everything we've discussed here, I am 100% confident I am a perfect fit for this SDR role @ company, do you have and questions or concerns that will hold you back from making me an offer?
  • For me company culture is really really important, if you had to describe your culture in 2 to 3 words, how would you describe it?

Yeah

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10 comments

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sir
Executive
7
SDR
I found these on /r/sales when I was starting my job search for a SDR/BDR role. They've definitely been helpful!


What does the onboarding process look like?
What does your tech stack look like?
What does your top performer do differently to your worst performer?
What are the top 3 things I can do to come in and really set myself apart?
⁠If we started this interview all over again, can you take a moment to coach me on something I could have done better?
What are the biggest challenges you are solving for and how do I help solve them?
What are the top 3 or 5 skills/traits the best SDRs you've ever seen have shared?
What are your average selling price and average sales cycle?
⁠What is the current percentage split in your team between inbound and outbound sourced opportunities?
What does the sales process look like?
What’s the annual quota?
What percentage of reps hit quota & at what point in the year is that typically?
Are there accelerators/kickers? If so - how much and how is that paid?
How do you assign accounts/prospect?
What kind of marketing support do we have?
Average churn rate or tenure of the sales force?
Who are your top competitors and what’s your competitive advantage?
What does the on-boarding process look like? 
When do you performance plan people out?
What’s the base range and OTE?
Are we responsible for new logo generation? 
How are leads generated or developed? 
What percentage of time is spent cold calling vs actually presenting/closing?
What does your ideal customer profile look like?
Who are your target personas? (C-Suite, VP, Director, & department/role)
What is the average sales cycle length?
What is the territory?
What is the total addressable market in the territory?
What are your expectations for this role?
What sales methodology do you typically use? (Challenger, SPIN, Sandler)
How do you see the industry evolving in the next 2-5 years? 
How do see the company evolving in response to industry changes?
What do you feel are some of the internal challenges that prevent deals from getting closed?
CoorsKing
WR Officer
6
Retired King of the Coors Knights
I’m starting to learn management style of my reporting tree is quickly becoming the #1 thing I give a shit about. That and market fit. I like managers who have had a track record of success in the role I will be in on their team, and ones who enjoy being mentors and not KPI hounding dictators. 

Tough to gauge that with questions but I always ask about management style, where THEY see themselves in 10 years, and how they approach coaching situations 
CuriousFox
WR Officer
4
🦊
I like these additions Meech. I'm dealing with a KPI dictator now. He leads by fear. I'm fearless. He is on the verge of a hissy fit. 😏
RealPatrickBateman
Politicker
4
🔪Amateur Butcher🔪
Ive heard that hissy fits often lead to panty bunches as well. Long term symptoms include: Bitchassness and Low T
SADNESSLieutenant
Politicker
3
Officer of ♥️
Hi-quality comment from a hi-quality savage. Thanks King. *scoops butter
Sunbunny31
Politicker
5
Sr Sales Executive 🐰
You might get an answer you don't expect if you ask what happened to the last person in the role. 

Particularly if said individual reported to @paddy 

That said, I would want to know what the path for an incoming SDR is at the company, and if SDRs leave or there's a clear path upward.
SADNES5
Politicker
2
down voters are marketing spies
What does success in this role look like in 3 months and 1 year out?
hippy
Opinionated
0
ISR (Inside Sales Rep)(AAM) Associate Account Manager
I like this. What does a 30/60/90 day successful ramp look like?
Skillen
0
Solutions Sales
It's important to know their professional goals too
M3guy
Good Citizen
0
Pivoting into Sales
@SADNESSLieutenant@Sir - Thank you both for these thorough lists of questions - I'll be utilizing them on my future interviews, thank you!
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