/Sales Development Representative/ Interview Questions
INTERMEDIATE LEVEL

Tell us about a time when you faced rejection and how you handled it.

Sales Development Representative Interview Questions
Tell us about a time when you faced rejection and how you handled it.

Sample answer to the question

There was a time when I applied for a job as a Sales Development Representative. I went through multiple rounds of interviews and felt really confident about my chances. However, I received an email a few days later informing me that they had chosen another candidate. At first, I was disappointed and felt a bit discouraged, but I quickly reminded myself that rejection is a normal part of the job search process. I took some time to reflect on the experience and identify areas where I could improve. I reached out to the hiring manager for feedback and asked for suggestions on how I could enhance my skills and qualifications for similar roles in the future. Their response was valuable and gave me some helpful insights. I used this as an opportunity to further develop my abilities by taking additional training courses and networking with professionals in the field. Ultimately, this rejection turned out to be a blessing in disguise as it motivated me to become an even better candidate in the long run.

A more solid answer

During my job search for a Sales Development Representative position, I faced rejection from a company that I was really interested in working for. Although I was initially disappointed, I recognized that rejection is a normal part of the process and an opportunity for growth. I reached out to the hiring manager to express my gratitude for the opportunity and to request feedback on my interview performance. The feedback I received was invaluable in identifying areas for improvement. I took the feedback to heart and enrolled in a sales training course to enhance my skills. Additionally, I sought out networking opportunities to learn from experienced professionals in the field. This experience taught me the importance of resilience and self-reflection, and it motivated me to become a stronger candidate for future opportunities.

Why this is a more solid answer:

The solid answer provides more specific details about the candidate's actions after facing rejection, including reaching out to the hiring manager for feedback, taking a sales training course, and networking with professionals in the field. It also highlights the candidate's resilience and self-reflection. However, it could benefit from addressing the evaluation area of adaptability as well.

An exceptional answer

I vividly remember a time when I applied for a Sales Development Representative role at a highly reputed company. After a series of interviews, I received an email informing me that they had decided to move forward with another candidate. While it was disappointing, I didn't let it discourage me. Instead, I saw it as an opportunity to learn and grow. First, I took a moment to acknowledge my feelings and reflect on the experience. Then, I reached out to the hiring manager to express my gratitude for the opportunity and to inquire about the areas where I could improve. The feedback I received was invaluable and helped me identify my strengths and weaknesses. To enhance my abilities, I enrolled in a sales training program that focused on negotiation and prospecting skills. I also joined industry-specific webinars and attended networking events to expand my knowledge and learn from experienced professionals. This rejection fueled my motivation to become an adaptable professional who can handle rejection with grace and continuously improve.

Why this is an exceptional answer:

The exceptional answer provides a vivid and detailed account of the candidate's experience with rejection, including the emotions they felt, the specific actions they took to handle it, such as reaching out to the hiring manager and seeking feedback, enrolling in a sales training program, and attending networking events. It also demonstrates the candidate's adaptability by acknowledging their emotions and using the rejection as motivation for growth.

How to prepare for this question

  • Reflect on previous experiences of rejection and identify lessons learned from them.
  • Consider how you typically handle rejection and think about ways to improve your response.
  • Research successful strategies for handling rejection in sales roles, such as seeking feedback and continually improving skills.
  • Practice articulating your experience with rejection in a confident and positive manner during mock interviews.
  • Highlight any instances where you turned rejection into an opportunity for personal or professional growth.

What interviewers are evaluating

  • Adaptability and resilience in the face of rejection

Related Interview Questions

More questions for Sales Development Representative interviews