Most interviews are designed to determine candidates’ ability to work in the position that they have applied for.
This means that many questions in an interview are aimed at determining a candidate’s attributes while others are targeted at job knowledge.
One has to make sure that one aces both types of questions to be considered successful in an interview.
Second chances are rare where interviews are concerned; if you mess up the first interview, you may not be called in for a second one and be given a chance to right your wrong.
So the first chance is your only chance, and you have to do your best to make a good impression.
If you understand the job description correctly and have prepared somewhat for the questions you may be asked during an interview, you have half the battle won!
So if it is an account executive position that you are applying for, you will know that your client services skills need to be highlighted during an interview.
Related: Account Executive Resume
Some questions that you may be asked during the interview for the position of an account executive may include:
Account Executive Interview Questions and Answers
1. What do you believe makes a successful account executive?
Excellent communication and negotiation skills are of the utmost importance in the role of an account executive. The ability to prospect clients and perform market research is equally important.
2. What is the importance of teamwork in this position?
It is not possible to work on one’s own in this position. You have to create and maintain productive relationships with other departments such as sales, marketing, and development.
Teamwork is important as one cannot work effectively without departmental support.
3. What do you believe should be an essential quality of an account executive?
Working independently and making timely decisions is very important when working in this role.
While some part of an account executive’s work is dependent on others, it is vital to carry out most duties on your own. Self-motivation and outstanding client services skills are equally important.
4. Give us an example of a tough decision that you had to make.
The company I was working for had many clients who provided recurring business. However, one such client was becoming quite difficult to handle since he had very unreasonable demands which were against company policies.
Since I was controlling his account (and generating a good commission from it), I was asked to make a decision – whether to retain the client or let him go.
I knew the right thing to do was to let him go since keeping him would pull the company down eventually. I decided to let him go despite having to lose a sizeable amount of income.