Sales Engineer Interview Questions & Answers

Sales engineers sell complex scientific and technological products or services to businesses.

Interviewers look for candidates that demonstrate excellent skills such as:

• Problem-solving skills
• Interpersonal skills
• Technological skills
• Self-confidence

In this blog, we discuss commonly asked interview questions during job interviews for Sales Engineer positions. We also discuss the qualities that interviewers look for in successful candidates. In other words, we’re here to help you out!

Also, read more about frequently asked job interview questions here and check our job interview preparation checklist.

Skills Interviewers Look For In Successful Candidates

Below we discuss the skills you can highlight in your answers to demonstrate that you’re qualified for the job.

Interpersonal skills

Why interviewers are interested in your interpersonal skills:

Strong interpersonal skills are a valuable characteristic for sales engineers, both for building relationships with clients and effectively communicating with other sales team members.

Problem-solving skills

Why interviewers are interested in your problem-solving skills:

Sales engineers must be able to listen to the customer’s desires and concerns and then recommend solutions, such as customizing a product for the customer.

Learn more about problem-solving interview questions and how to answer them!

Self-confidence

Why interviewers are interested in your self-confidence:

Sales engineers should be confident and persuasive when making sales presentations.

Technological skills

Why interviewers are interested in your technological skills:

Sales engineers must have extensive knowledge of the technologically sophisticated products they sell in order to explain their advantages and answer questions.

(source: bls.gov)

Sales Engineer Job Interview Questions & Answers

During a job interview, the hiring manager wants to discuss several things. Think of your:

• Employment history
• Skills and abilities
• Accomplishments
• Job qualifications
• Educational background
• Career goals
• Personality

Below you find a list of commonly asked interview questions.

Examples Of General Sales Engineer Interview Questions

1. Tell me about yourself.
2. How would you describe yourself?
3. Why do you want to work here?
4. What interests you about this position?
5. Walk me through your resume.
6. What motivates you?
7. Why are you leaving your current job?
8. Describe your work ethic.
9. What is your greatest strength?
10. How does your experience qualify you for this job?
11. What is your greatest weakness?
12. Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
13. Tell me about a challenging work situation and how you overcame it.
14. What are your expectations for this position?
15. What are your career goals?
16. Why should we hire you?
17. What did you like most about your last position?
18. What did you like least about your last position?
19. How do you handle stress?
20. What is your greatest accomplishment?

Learn how to answer these common job interview questions!

Examples Of Specific Sales Engineer Behavioral Interview Questions

Learn more about answering behavioral interview questions by using the STAR interview technique.

1. Walk me through the steps you take after a new product release by your company.
2. How would you respond to a client who is upset that the product is not working properly? Can you give me an example?
3. What is your strategy to expand your sales territory? How did you do this in your current (or previous) position?
4. Tell me how you explain a complex technical problem to someone with a different background than you. Can you give me an example?
5. Describe a time you provided excellent customer service to a client.
6. How do you ensure that you stay up to date on market trends and the latest sales engineering tools?
7. What is your approach to building and maintaining relationships with customers? Can you give me an example?
8. Tell me about your biggest lead-generating success. How did you get the lead?
9. What do you consider the most successful sales project you have worked on? Who did you work with? What was your specific contribution?
10. How would you explain the benefits of a product over the product of a competitor? Can you give me an example?

Learn more about questions to ask the interviewer during your job interview.