17 Automotive General Sales Manager Interview Questions and Answers

The automotive industry is constantly changing and evolving. As a result, the role of an automotive general sales manager is always evolving as well. If you’re looking for a new challenge in your career, then this might be the job for you.

Before you can start your new job, you’ll need to go through a job interview. This is your chance to show the interviewer that you’re the right person for the job.

To help you prepare, we’ve put together a list of some of the most common automotive general sales manager interview questions and answers.

Are you comfortable managing a team of people?

This question can help the interviewer determine if you have experience managing a team of people and how well you did. Use examples from your past to show that you are comfortable with this responsibility and can handle it effectively.

Example: “I am very comfortable working with a team of people, as I’ve done so for many years in my current position. In my last role, I managed a team of five salespeople who were all independent contractors. We met weekly to discuss our goals and progress toward them. I also held one-on-one meetings with each employee at least once per month to check in on their performance and offer feedback or advice.”

What are some of the most important qualities that an automotive general sales manager should have?

This question can help the interviewer determine if you possess the skills and abilities that are necessary for success in this role. When answering, it can be helpful to mention a few of these qualities and explain why they’re important.

Example: “The most important quality an automotive general sales manager should have is communication skills. This person needs to be able to clearly convey ideas and information to their team members and customers. Another important quality is problem-solving ability. In this position, I would need to solve any issues or concerns my team members may have. Finally, I think it’s important for an automotive general sales manager to have leadership skills. These skills allow me to motivate my team members and ensure everyone is performing at their best.”

How would you motivate your team to meet sales goals?

Motivation is an important skill for automotive general sales managers. Employers ask this question to learn more about your motivational techniques and how you can help their team succeed. In your answer, explain two or three ways that you would motivate your team members to meet the goals you set together.

Example: “I believe in motivating my team through positive reinforcement. I find that when I praise employees for a job well done, they are more likely to continue working hard. For example, if someone meets their monthly quota, I will give them a small bonus. This motivates them to work harder so they can earn even more money. Another way I motivate my team is by giving them opportunities for career advancement. If someone does something exceptional, I will promote them to another position within the company.”

What is your experience with working with sales teams in different departments?

This question can help the interviewer understand your experience working with a team and how you might fit in with their current team. Use examples from previous work experiences to highlight your teamwork skills, communication abilities and ability to lead others.

Example: “In my last position as an automotive general sales manager, I worked with a team of salespeople who sold cars, trucks, SUVs and vans. We had weekly meetings where we discussed our goals for the week and what challenges we were facing. I also held monthly training sessions where I taught new employees about selling vehicles and helped experienced employees develop their skills.”

Provide an example of a time when you had to deal with a difficult customer.

Interviewers may ask this question to assess your customer service skills. They want to know how you handle conflict and whether or not you can resolve it quickly. In your answer, try to explain what steps you took to solve the problem and highlight any specific techniques that helped you calm the situation.

Example: “In my previous role as an automotive general sales manager, I had a customer who was upset about the price of one of our cars. He told me he could get the same car for much cheaper at another dealership. I explained to him why we charge more than other dealerships and assured him that we have high-quality vehicles. He seemed satisfied with my explanation and ended up buying the car.”

If we were to look at your last job as a general sales manager, what are some things that you would have done differently?

This question is a great way for employers to learn more about your past performance and how you would improve it in the future. When answering this question, be honest about what you would have done differently and explain why you would make those changes.

Example: “In my last position as general sales manager, I was responsible for hiring new salespeople. In hindsight, I would have hired more people because we were often short-staffed on busy days. I also would have spent more time training our current employees so that they could handle more responsibilities.”

What would you do if one of your salespeople was consistently making mistakes when quoting prices to potential customers?

This question can help the interviewer determine how you would handle a challenging situation. In your answer, try to show that you are willing to hold your team accountable for their mistakes and ensure they learn from them.

Example: “If one of my salespeople was consistently quoting prices incorrectly, I would first meet with them to discuss what they were doing wrong. If it was an issue with understanding the pricing system, I would offer additional training on the company’s pricing structure. If it was simply a mistake, I would give them a chance to make up for it by offering the customer a discount or free service. If they continued making mistakes after this, I would have to let them go.”

How well do you understand our company’s products and services?

The interviewer may ask this question to assess your knowledge of the company’s products and services. This can help them determine if you are a good fit for their organization. In your answer, try to show that you have researched the company thoroughly. You can also mention any specific products or services that interest you.

Example: “I am familiar with all of your company’s products and services. I was impressed by how many different types of vehicles you sell. I would love to work for an automotive company that offers so many options. I think it is important for customers to be able to find exactly what they need when they come into the dealership. I also noticed that you offer several brands of tires. I know that quality tires can make a big difference in vehicle performance. I would like to learn more about your tire selection.”

Do you have experience creating sales presentations?

This question can help the interviewer understand your experience with presenting to clients and other employees. Use examples from previous work experiences where you created presentations for clients or used visual aids in meetings to explain complex ideas.

Example: “In my last position, I was responsible for creating a sales presentation that outlined our company’s services and pricing. I worked with my team to create a PowerPoint presentation that we could use during client meetings. We also used it as an educational tool for new hires so they could learn about our products and services. This helped us streamline our communication process and ensured everyone had access to important information.”

When is it appropriate to offer a potential customer a trial period for one of our products or services?

Interviewers may ask this question to assess your sales skills and determine whether you are a good fit for their company. When answering, it can be helpful to provide an example of when you offered a trial period in the past and how that helped the customer decide on a product or service.

Example: “I believe offering a trial period is beneficial because it allows customers to try out our products or services before making a final decision. This helps them feel more confident about their purchase and ensures they’re getting exactly what they want. In my previous role as an automotive general sales manager, I had a customer who was interested in one of our new car models but wanted to test drive several different options first. I offered her a three-day trial period where she could take home any model she wanted and return it if she didn’t like it.”

We want to increase our sales numbers by at least 20% within the next year. What strategies would you use to help achieve this goal?

This question is an opportunity to show your interviewer that you have the skills and knowledge necessary to help their company achieve its goals. Use examples from previous experiences where you helped a team or organization meet sales quotas.

Example: “I would first analyze our current marketing strategies, including social media campaigns, advertising channels and customer outreach programs. I would then create a plan for how we can increase our sales numbers by at least 20% within the next year. For example, in my last position as general sales manager, I worked with my team to develop new ways of reaching customers through digital advertisements. We were able to increase our online sales by 25%, which led to overall sales increasing by 18%. This strategy was one of many that contributed to us meeting our quota.”

Describe your experience with using sales analytics software.

This question can help the interviewer determine your comfort level with using technology to support your sales efforts. Use examples from previous jobs to describe how you used software to track and analyze data, which helped you make decisions about your sales strategies.

Example: “I’ve worked in automotive sales for five years now, and I have found that using analytics software is an important part of my job. At my last job, we used a program called Salesforce to keep track of our leads, customers and other information related to our sales process. This allowed me to use the software to monitor my team’s performance and identify areas where we could improve our sales numbers.”

What makes you the best candidate for this job?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your qualifications and how you can contribute to their company. Before your interview, make a list of all the skills and experiences that make you an ideal candidate for this role. Focus on highlighting your relevant experience and soft skills.

Example: “I am passionate about cars and customer service. I have been working in automotive sales for five years now, so I know what it takes to sell vehicles. My communication skills are excellent, which is why my previous employers promoted me to general sales manager. I also understand the importance of teamwork, which is why I always encourage collaboration among my team members.”

Which industries do you have the most experience in?

This question can help the interviewer determine if you have experience in the automotive industry. It can also help them understand what other industries you’ve worked in and how your experiences from those industries might apply to this role. When preparing for this interview, think about which industries you’ve worked in and how they relate to the automotive industry. Consider highlighting any transferable skills that may be helpful in this position.

Example: “I’ve spent my entire career working in the automotive industry. I started as a sales associate at a local dealership when I was fresh out of college. After five years there, I moved up to a sales manager position where I helped train new employees and developed strategies to increase sales. I’m excited to use these skills to help grow your company.”

What do you think is the most important thing to remember when closing a sale?

This question can help the interviewer understand your sales techniques and how you close a sale. Use examples from previous experiences to explain what you think is most important when closing a sale.

Example: “The most important thing I remember when closing a sale is that it’s not about me, but rather about the customer. I always make sure to listen to my customers’ needs and concerns so I can address them in a way that makes them feel comfortable. When they leave feeling like they got exactly what they wanted, then I know I’ve done my job well.”

How often do you think salespeople should update their knowledge of the latest products and services offered by the company?

This question can help the interviewer determine how much you value continuing education and training. Your answer should show that you are committed to staying up-to-date on your industry’s latest developments, including new products and services offered by your company.

Example: “I think it is important for salespeople to stay informed about the latest offerings in their field. I try to attend at least one seminar or conference per year where I can learn more about the newest technologies and advancements in my industry. I also subscribe to several automotive trade publications so I can keep up with the latest news stories and trends.”

There is a common misconception among customers that our products are more expensive than those offered by our competitors. How would you address this issue with your sales team?

An interviewer may ask this question to assess your ability to manage a team of salespeople and help them overcome challenges. In your answer, try to highlight how you would use your leadership skills to motivate your team members and encourage them to sell products at competitive prices.

Example: “I think it’s important for my sales team to understand that our company offers the best quality products in the industry. I would tell my team that we should focus on selling our products based on their features rather than price. For example, if a customer asks about the cost of one of our products, I would explain that they are getting more value for their money because of the superior quality.”