Account Manager Interview Questions and Answers

Job Description:
Account managers, or account executives, are sales-persons whose main focus is on maintaining and expanding the company’s customer base. They regularly interact with existing customers, propose prospects for new customers, offer, negotiate, and close deals so as to ensure customer satisfaction and company profit. Account managers regularly report on their actions, sales, and strategies to senior managers.

This article describes an account manager’s job interview with questions and tips on how to answer.

Job Interview Questions and Answers
for Account Managers, Key Account Executives, or Sales Account Managers

Question: Can you tell me what makes a successful account manager? 
Answer: Speak confidently when answering questions where success is the subject. You do not have to gush and describe every possible aspect you can think of. Talk about a few key concepts, like communication and negotiation skills, market research and customer prospecting, etc. You will make an even better impression if you give an example from your own professional life to demonstrate your idea.

Question: How would you define team work and communication skills in the context of account management? 
Answer: As an account manager, you work on two fronts: the clients and your company. Both require excellent communication skills. You need to earn the trust of both clients and managers, to convince both sides to close the best possible deal. Teamwork is probably more related to coordinating actions with the company, the development, sales, and marketing departments.

Question: What do you do to increase revenues? What are your tactics, techniques, and sales methods?
Answer: An account manager uses the information at his disposal to maintain and increase client interest. Staying current and doing marketing research are key factors to understanding what the customer is getting tired of and what he might become interested in. This information has to be effectively coordinated with the company departments in order to result in a product that will prevent the customer from leaving.

Question: What would you say are the most important qualities of an account manager?
Answer: This question tests your confidence, self awareness, and independence. Do not be afraid to speak your mind confidently. The ability to work independently and make decisions is crucial if you are an account manager. This in turn requires being organized and self motivated, with the ability to work with many customers at once. This means outstanding customer service skills.

Question: What is important to effective market analysis?
Answer: Generally speaking, it is important to do research on a regular basis in relation to every individual client or category of clients. Effective research assesses current situations to project future developments and opportunities for the company. It studies competitors and proposes improvements.