Sales experience is a term used to describe someone's past work history or activities that have involved selling a product or service. Interviewers may ask this question to get an idea of what skills and experiences the candidate has that could be applicable to the role they are interviewing for. 

There are many things that can constitute sales-experience, such as working in customer service, working as a door-to-door salesperson, or even being involved in club fundraisers. 

The interviewer wants to identify the candidate's relevant skills and experience so that they understand how they can be put to use within the company.

Why Interviewers Ask, "Describe Your Sales Experience"

Someone's past work history with selling products or services is described as "sales-experience". Interviewers may ask this question during an interview to get an idea of what skills and experiences the person has that could be applicable to the role they are interviewing for. 

There are many things that can constitute sales experience, such as working in customer service, working as a door-to-door salesperson, or even being involved in club fundraisers. The interviewer wants to identify the person's relevant skills and experiences so that they understand how they can be put to use within their company.

The most important thing for the interviewer when asking this question is to get an idea of what skills and experiences you have that would be beneficial for them in order to let you do the job efficiently. 

They want to know how your previous work history or activities will help you fulfill the needs required by their position so that you will succeed within it. 

For instance, if you were applying for a receptionist position, having past experience in customer service would be an asset because it would give them proof that you possess great communication skills which are vital in any front-facing role. 

Going through your list of experiences and highlighting only those which are relevant to the particular position at hand is really important.

If you don't have any previous work experience, study up on selling techniques so that when asked this common interview question, you can explain how your skills will be beneficial for the role at hand. 

If you were applying for a front-facing customer service position, emphasizing your experience in customer service would indicate that you possess good communication skills necessary for success in that role.

7 Tips That Will Help You To Crack The Interview

1. Review the job description- Review the job description to identify specific requirements. If you are not sure, ask your recruiter or manager if there is anything that's crucial for this position. Then, think of ways you can demonstrate how you fulfill those requirements. 

For instance, if someone says they want someone with an MBA degree, would having a business plan count as relevant experience? Or maybe something like managing budgets would be appropriate? 

Taking this into consideration will save time because it will help prevent irrelevant information from slipping into your answer.

2. Identify your relevant experiences and skills- Use your previous experiences to demonstrate that you have what it takes to meet the expectations of the position. Start with those things that come most naturally and then work your way down. 

This is also a good opportunity to brag about your achievements, as long as you can back it up with numbers or concrete examples.

3. Emphasize your achievements- When detailing your skills and experiences, try to focus on what you've done that has had a positive impact on the company or team you were working with. 

It's always impressive when someone has gone above and beyond their job duties, so make sure to highlight those instances.

4. Examine your professional growth- Demonstrating that you are constantly learning and growing is essential for any position, but especially sales roles. This doesn't necessarily mean having a long list of professional development courses under your belt, although that certainly won't hurt. 

Instead, think about what you do outside of work that has helped to improve your skill set. Are you taking an improv class, learning how to play the guitar, or participating in any other activities? 

These are great examples because they show that you aren't just filling up your free time with mindless activities; it also shows that you're passionate and driven enough to use your personal time for self-improvement.

5. Structure your answer- Even though this is a question about describing "your experience", you will want to focus more on what experiences have helped prepare you for this role rather than specific sales techniques. 

This is not something where you should say, "I know everything about closing, so I don't need any practice." Rather, mention how certain skills will be transferable to this position—such as working under pressure, managing difficult conversations, or being able to think on your feet.

7. Practice your response- Like any other interview question, you should practice your answer before going in for the real thing. This will help ensure that you sound confident and polished when describing your sales experience. 

You can even try recording yourself so that you can hear how it sounds and make any necessary changes.

10 Sample Answer For “Describe your sales-experience”

Now it's time to answer the question! Below are over ten sample answers; try them out and see which one is the best fit for you! 

The key to answering this question well is practice, so make sure you've got some paper (or napkins) to write on and find yourself somewhere quiet where there won't be any distractions. 

Once you feel like you've got the perfect response together, record yourself saying it so that you can analyze what needs improvement. Then just keep practicing until reaching perfection!

Sample 1

"I have had some experience in sales, mostly customer service roles. I am a hard worker and pride myself on doing whatever it takes to get the job done. In my role as a customer representative, I often had to deal with difficult people on a daily basis which required me to think on my feet while using good diplomacy skills at all times. Whenever someone was unhappy or had complaints about our product or services, it was important that they were handled correctly so that we could retain them as a valued customer."

-This answer demonstrates strong communication skills and highlights an ability which would be beneficial for this front-facing role where dealing with customers is key. 

Furthermore, you've indicated how your work experience has given you practice working under pressure, a skill which is essential in any sales position.

Sample 2

"I have worked as a sales representative for the past two years. I have learned a lot about how to sell products and services, and I am confident that I possess the skills required for this role. My time working as a sales representative has taught me how to build rapport with clients, understand their needs, and close the deal. I am proactive and always take the initiative to go above and beyond for my clients."

-This answer emphasizes your achievements while also explaining how your skills will be beneficial in this new role. 

The fact that you have stayed with your current company for two years shows that you are a loyal employee who is likely to stick if hired. Furthermore, saying that you take the initiative demonstrates that you are coachable, which is an important trait for any employee.

Sample 3

"Although I do not have any experience in sales, I am intrigued by the prospect of working as a part-time sales representative because I have always enjoyed being around people and assisting them with making good decisions. From my past work experiences, I know that my communication skills are strong enough to be able to communicate effectively with clients so that they can understand why our company is the best option for them."

-This answer shows that your enthusiasm makes up for your lack of experience. You've demonstrated how your background gives you the necessary tools to be successful once hired. 

Furthermore, this answer shows how your personality will help you succeed in this role. Your drive and willingness to learn will make you an asset to any company.

Sample 4

"I have been working as a sales representative for the past five years. In my current role, I am responsible for managing a team of six sales representatives. My responsibilities include training new employees, developing sales strategies, and overseeing day-to-day operations. I have also been responsible for increasing sales by 25% over the past two years. I believe that my experience in management and my success in increasing sales makes me the perfect candidate for this role."

-This answer is perfect if you are looking for a managerial position within a sales team. Your experience in management demonstrates that you are capable of leading and motivating a team to achieve common objectives. 

Furthermore, your experience in increasing sales shows that you are willing to take the initiative and make strategic decisions for optimal results.

Sample 5

"I have had some experience in sales, but I am still looking to add more to my growing list of skills. However, if hired for this role, I would be able to hit the ground running because I excel at working independently as well as on a team. I also have strong communication skills which are important when dealing with clients."

-This answer demonstrates your eagerness to learn new things while highlighting your strengths. 

Furthermore, it highlights how your past experiences can be put into practice immediately if hired. Your drive will allow you to succeed in any sales role you choose.

By following these steps when responding to an interviewer's request for "Describe your sales experience," you can effectively highlight your skills and training to potential employers.