SDR Interview Questions to Ask Employer
Strategic questions for Sales Development Representatives to ask potential employers that reveal company culture, growth opportunities, and sales processes while demonstrating your professional interest.
1What does success look like for an SDR in this role?
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What does success look like for an SDR in this role?
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Why this works
Establishes clear expectations and helps you understand the specific metrics and goals you'll be evaluated on, showing your focus on performance and results.
2How do you support SDRs in their professional development and career growth?
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How do you support SDRs in their professional development and career growth?
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Why this works
Reveals their commitment to employee development and shows you're thinking about long-term career progression and skill building.
3What's the typical career path for SDRs who excel in this role?
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What's the typical career path for SDRs who excel in this role?
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Why this works
Shows your ambition and helps you understand the advancement opportunities available, demonstrating your interest in growing with the company.
4How do you handle lead generation and what tools do you provide for prospecting?
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How do you handle lead generation and what tools do you provide for prospecting?
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Why this works
Reveals their approach to lead generation and the resources available to help you succeed, showing your understanding of the SDR role's core responsibilities.
5What's the sales process like and how do SDRs work with the sales team?
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What's the sales process like and how do SDRs work with the sales team?
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Why this works
Shows your understanding of the sales funnel and helps you understand how you'll collaborate with other team members and departments.
6How do you measure and track SDR performance and what feedback do you provide?
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How do you measure and track SDR performance and what feedback do you provide?
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Why this works
Reveals their approach to performance management and shows you want to understand how you'll be evaluated and supported in your role.
7What's the company culture like and how do you maintain team morale?
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What's the company culture like and how do you maintain team morale?
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Why this works
Shows your interest in the work environment and helps you understand the company's values and approach to team building.
8How do you handle objections and what training do you provide for difficult conversations?
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How do you handle objections and what training do you provide for difficult conversations?
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Why this works
Reveals their approach to sales training and shows you understand the challenges of the SDR role and want to be prepared for them.
9What's the biggest challenge facing the sales team right now?
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What's the biggest challenge facing the sales team right now?
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Why this works
Shows your interest in the company's current situation and helps you understand the context you'll be working in.
10How do you support SDRs who are struggling to meet their quotas?
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How do you support SDRs who are struggling to meet their quotas?
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Why this works
Reveals their approach to underperformance and shows you want to understand how they support team members who need help.
11What's the commission structure like and how do you handle quota adjustments?
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What's the commission structure like and how do you handle quota adjustments?
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Why this works
Shows your interest in compensation and helps you understand the financial aspects of the role and how quotas are managed.
12How do you handle different types of prospects and what's your approach to targeting?
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How do you handle different types of prospects and what's your approach to targeting?
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Why this works
Reveals their sales strategy and helps you understand how they approach different market segments and prospect types.
13What's the most important skill for an SDR to develop in this role?
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What's the most important skill for an SDR to develop in this role?
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Why this works
Shows your focus on skill development and helps you understand what they value most in SDR performance.
14How do you handle different types of sales objections and what's your approach to objection handling?
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How do you handle different types of sales objections and what's your approach to objection handling?
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Why this works
Reveals their sales methodology and shows you understand the importance of objection handling in the SDR role.
15What's the team dynamic like and how do SDRs collaborate with each other?
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What's the team dynamic like and how do SDRs collaborate with each other?
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Why this works
Shows your interest in teamwork and helps you understand the collaborative aspects of the role and team culture.
16How do you handle different types of prospects and what's your approach to personalization?
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How do you handle different types of prospects and what's your approach to personalization?
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Why this works
Reveals their approach to prospect research and personalization, showing you understand the importance of tailored outreach.
17What's the most challenging aspect of the SDR role in this company?
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What's the most challenging aspect of the SDR role in this company?
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Why this works
Shows your awareness of the role's difficulties and helps you understand the specific challenges you'll face in this position.
18How do you support SDRs in their transition to other sales roles?
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How do you support SDRs in their transition to other sales roles?
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Why this works
Reveals their approach to career development and shows you're thinking about your long-term career progression.
19What's the most important thing for an SDR to understand about our target market?
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What's the most important thing for an SDR to understand about our target market?
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Why this works
Shows your interest in the market and helps you understand the context you'll be working in and what you need to learn.
20How do you handle different types of sales scenarios and what's your approach to scenario planning?
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How do you handle different types of sales scenarios and what's your approach to scenario planning?
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Why this works
Reveals their approach to sales preparation and shows you understand the importance of being prepared for different situations.
Best Practices for SDR Interview Conversations
Expert tips and techniques for getting the most out of these questions.
Best Practices
Show Genuine Interest in Sales and the Role
SDR roles require passion for sales and prospecting. Demonstrate your understanding of the sales process and your enthusiasm for the challenges and opportunities of the role.
Ask About Both Performance and Development
Balance questions about performance expectations with questions about professional development and career growth. This shows you're thinking about both immediate success and long-term progression.
Focus on Collaboration and Team Dynamics
SDRs work closely with sales teams and other departments. Show interest in how you'll collaborate with others and contribute to team success.
Question Sequences
The Performance and Success Sequence
The Development and Growth Flow
Common Pitfalls
Don't Focus Only on Compensation
While compensation is important, don't make it the primary focus of your questions. Show interest in the role, company, and growth opportunities as well.
Avoid Questions That Show Lack of Preparation
Don't ask basic questions that could be answered by researching the company or role. Show that you've done your homework and are asking thoughtful, specific questions.
Don't Ignore the Team and Culture Aspects
SDR roles often involve significant teamwork and collaboration. Show interest in the team dynamics and company culture, not just the individual role.