Insurance Sales Top Interview Questions
Background, Strengths, and Experience
Your prospective employer will want to know a lot about your background and experience. Given this, the interviewer may even ask if you’ve ever been fired. Be honest, especially if it was in the recent past, and they’ll likely find out.
Be prepared to share your side of the story without dwelling on the past. Disclose how you’ve learned from the experience and grown into a better employee.
The interviewer will want to know what to expect out of you as a worker by hearing what you’ve done in the past. For example, how would you meet your quotas or bring in sales? Also, how long would you expect to stay in sales if hired, and how do you organize, plan, and prioritize your work as a salesman?
They’ll probably want to know why you personally are suited for a sales environment and how much time you would ideally spend in an office. You may also be asked to rate how trainable you are and what you think you’re worth. Be prepared to discuss the contributions to profits that you’ve made to justify your salary request.
Industry Knowledge
Knowing your industry will make you a much better salesperson than if you’re clueless about the insurance field.
With this in mind, expect your interviewer to ask you questions such as which drivers will influence the market in the next 18 months?
The interviewer might also expect you to know information specifically about the company in question. For example, what do you think is a typical day in the life of an insurance salesman at the company.
Be sure to study up on the company and say why you want to work there. You might also be asked to critique the company. But don’t go overboard here. You want your criticism to be as constructive as possible. Maybe mention some areas in which the company could improve and how you’re the right person to do so.
Communication and Interpersonal Skills
Working in insurance sales means that you have to be an effective communicator. That means interviewers will want to know if you can distinguish communication skills from listening skills. They’ll also be likely to ask how you build relationships with clients and handle rejection. Be ready to share an experience you had dealing with a difficult customer and how you handled the situation.
And if you’re a good communicator, you’re likely to enjoy cold calling, so be prepared to discuss that. Your prospective employer might also want you to share an effective method you have used to sell insurance.
Lastly, don’t be startled if your interviewer asks you to sell him something in 60 seconds or less.