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SENIOR LEVEL

How do you handle rejection in sales? Can you give an example of a time you experienced rejection and how you bounced back?

Sales Development Representative Interview Questions
How do you handle rejection in sales? Can you give an example of a time you experienced rejection and how you bounced back?

Sample answer to the question

Handling rejection in sales can be tough, but it's important to stay positive and focused. For example, I once had a potential client reject my proposal for a partnership. Instead of getting discouraged, I took the opportunity to learn from the experience. I reached out to the client to better understand their concerns and tailored a new proposal to address them. By showing my willingness to adapt and offering a solution, I was able to turn the rejection into a successful partnership. This experience taught me the importance of resilience and the value of actively seeking feedback to improve.

A more solid answer

Handling rejection in sales requires a combination of adaptability, resilience, and a results-oriented mindset. As a Senior Sales Development Representative, I understand the importance of not taking rejection personally and using it as a learning opportunity. For instance, in the past, I faced rejection from a client who did not see the immediate value in our product. Instead of giving up, I took the time to understand their concerns and provided additional information and case studies to showcase the long-term benefits. Additionally, I actively sought feedback from the client to understand how we could better align with their needs. Through consistent follow-up and a persistent focus on adding value, I eventually closed the deal and exceeded their expectations. This experience reinforced my belief in the power of adaptability and the ability to turn rejection into success.

Why this is a more solid answer:

The solid answer expands on the basic answer by providing more details about the candidate's experience and skills. It demonstrates adaptability, resilience, and a results-oriented mindset by explaining how the candidate overcame rejection and turned it into success. However, it could still benefit from more specific examples and measurable outcomes.

An exceptional answer

Handling rejection in sales requires a multi-faceted approach that combines adaptability, resilience, and innovation. As a Senior Sales Development Representative with over 5 years of experience, I have faced numerous rejections and have learned to embrace them as opportunities for growth. One standout example is when I encountered a potential client who rejected our proposal due to concerns about the implementation timeline. Instead of accepting defeat, I proactively researched alternative solutions and presented them to the client. Through open dialogue and active collaboration, we were able to develop a customized implementation plan that addressed their concerns and offered a faster timeline. Not only did we secure the partnership, but we also exceeded their expectations by delivering the solution ahead of schedule. This experience showcased my adaptability, resilience, and ability to think outside the box to overcome obstacles. By actively seeking feedback and continuously improving, I have consistently exceeded sales quotas and built strong client relationships.

Why this is an exceptional answer:

The exceptional answer provides a detailed and memorable example of the candidate's experience with rejection in sales. It showcases their adaptability, resilience, and innovative thinking in handling the situation. The candidate not only addresses the immediate concern but also delivers measurable results by exceeding expectations. This answer demonstrates a deep understanding of the sales process and the ability to utilize feedback for continuous improvement.

How to prepare for this question

  • 1. Develop a positive mindset: Understand that rejection is a normal part of sales and focus on using it as an opportunity for growth.
  • 2. Learn from past experiences: Reflect on previous instances of rejection and identify what could have been done differently to achieve a different outcome.
  • 3. Seek feedback: Actively reach out to clients who rejected your proposals to understand their concerns and learn how to better align with their needs.
  • 4. Stay informed: Keep up-to-date with market trends and competitor analysis to anticipate objections and provide meaningful solutions.
  • 5. Practice resilience: Emphasize your ability to bounce back from rejection and showcase specific examples of how you turned a rejection into success.

What interviewers are evaluating

  • Adaptability
  • Results-oriented

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