15 Client Relationship Interview Questions and Answers

When it comes to business, the customer is always king. That’s why companies place a premium on maintaining strong relationships with their clients. If you’re looking for a job in client relations, you need to be able to demonstrate your ability to build and maintain positive relationships.

One way to do this is by preparing for your interview. In this guide, we’ll give you some sample questions and answers that will help you show off your skills and land the job.

1. What is the difference between a client and customer?

This question is a great way to test your knowledge of client relationship skills. It also allows you to show the interviewer that you understand how important it is to treat clients with respect and care. When answering this question, make sure to define both terms clearly and explain why they are different from one another.

Example: “A customer is someone who buys goods or services from a business. A client is someone who hires a company for a specific service. For example, if I am looking for a new website designer, I would be a customer because I am buying web design services. If I hire a web designer to create my website, I become their client.”

2. What are some examples of good client relationships in your experience?

This question can help the interviewer understand what you value in a client relationship and how you would apply those values to your work with their company. Use examples from your own experience or from other professionals that you’ve worked with who have strong client relationships.

Example: “I think it’s important for clients to feel like they’re being heard, so I always make sure to listen carefully when they speak. It also helps them feel more comfortable if I’m friendly and approachable, so I try to be warm and welcoming when we meet. Another thing that makes clients feel more at ease is knowing that I’ll do my best to solve any problems they may encounter. If something goes wrong, I explain why it happened and offer solutions.”

3. What do you think are the top characteristics that make for a great client relationship manager?

This question is a great way to show your interviewer that you have the skills and knowledge needed for this role. You can answer by listing several characteristics, such as communication skills, empathy and problem-solving abilities.

Example: “I think it’s important to be empathetic when working with clients because they’re often in challenging situations. I also believe that having strong communication skills is essential because it allows me to clearly explain what I’m doing and why. Finally, I think being able to solve problems quickly is key because it helps me meet my client’s needs.”

4. How do you handle delivery delays or issues with client projects?

Interviewers may ask this question to assess your problem-solving skills and ability to handle client issues. In your answer, describe a time when you encountered a delivery delay or other issue with a project and how you resolved it.

Example: “I once worked on a large marketing campaign for a company that was launching a new product. The client wanted us to create an advertising campaign that would generate buzz about the product before its release date. I had my team work on creating content for social media, designing advertisements and writing blog posts. However, we ran into some delays because of technical problems with our website. We ended up having to push back the launch date by two weeks.

The client was upset at first but understood that these things happen sometimes. I apologized profusely and offered them additional services to make up for the inconvenience. They agreed to pay for the extra services and were happy with the final results.”

5. How do you suss out what the real problem is when a client complains to you?

This question can help the interviewer assess your problem-solving skills and ability to listen carefully. Use examples from past experiences where you were able to identify what the real issue was, rather than just focusing on the symptoms of a problem.

Example: “I once had a client who called me because they weren’t getting any leads for their business. After asking them some questions about their marketing strategy, I learned that they hadn’t been doing any marketing at all. They thought having a website would be enough to attract customers, but it wasn’t. We worked together to create an effective marketing plan that included social media, blogging and paid advertising.”

6. What’s the best way to handle an unhappy client?

Interviewers may ask this question to see how you handle conflict. They want to know that you can diffuse a situation and keep your clients happy. In your answer, explain the steps you take to solve problems with clients. Show that you are empathetic and willing to help them resolve their issues.

Example: “I always try my best to make sure I meet all of my client’s expectations. However, sometimes things happen that cause an unhappy client. If they’re upset about something, I first listen to what they have to say. Then, I apologize for any inconvenience or dissatisfaction they experienced. Next, I offer solutions to fix the problem. Finally, I follow up with them after the issue is resolved to ensure everything is okay.”

7. Can you explain how you would go about building rapport with a new client?

This question is an opportunity to show your interpersonal skills and ability to connect with others. It’s important for customer service professionals to be able to build rapport quickly, so employers want to see that you have the necessary skills to do this effectively.

Example: “I would start by introducing myself and shaking their hand. I find that a firm handshake can go a long way in making a good first impression. Then, I would ask them about themselves and what they’re looking for from our services. This helps me get a better idea of who they are as a person and how we can best serve them. I also like to make sure they feel comfortable asking questions or voicing concerns.”

8. Can you give me an example where you had to deal with a difficult client? How did you resolve the issue?

This question can help the interviewer understand how you handle conflict and challenges. Use your answer to highlight your problem-solving skills, communication skills and ability to remain calm under pressure.

Example: “I once had a client who was very demanding. He would call me several times a day with questions about his account and often asked for advice on what stocks to buy. I tried my best to be patient with him, but it became difficult when he called me at home in the evening. I told him that while I wanted to help him, I needed some time away from work each night. He apologized and promised not to call me again after hours.”

9. What do you think is most important – maintaining excellent client relationships or delivering high-quality work?

This question is a great way to assess your priorities as a professional. It also allows you to demonstrate that you understand the importance of both client relationships and high-quality work. When answering this question, it can be helpful to discuss how these two things are connected.

Example: “I think maintaining excellent client relationships and delivering high-quality work go hand in hand. If I don’t have strong relationships with my clients, they may not feel comfortable sharing their ideas or concerns. This could lead to them feeling dissatisfied with our work. On the other hand, if I deliver high-quality work but don’t maintain good relationships with my clients, they might not want to hire me again. So, for me, it’s important to do both.”

10. What techniques do you use to ensure that clients keep coming back to you?

This question is an opportunity to show your interpersonal skills and ability to build relationships with clients. You can answer this question by describing a time you helped a client develop a relationship with your company or business.

Example: “I have found that the best way to keep my clients coming back is through communication. I make sure to check in with them at least once every two weeks, either by phone call or email. This allows me to learn about their needs and how we are meeting them. It also gives me the chance to address any concerns they may have before they become problems.”

11. Do you feel it’s better to maintain a long term working relationship with one client or to build many short term relationships?

This question is a great way to assess your understanding of client relationships and how you feel about them. It’s important for employers to know that you understand the importance of long-term client relationships, so it’s best to answer this question by explaining why they’re beneficial.

Example: “I think it’s better to maintain a long term relationship with one client because it allows me to build a deeper connection with them. I can learn more about their business and what they need from my services, which makes it easier for me to provide exactly what they want. In addition, maintaining a long-term relationship means I’m able to deliver consistent results, which is something clients value.”

12. What are some common causes of tension in client relations?

Interviewers may ask this question to see if you can identify common issues that arise in client relations and how you would handle them. They want to know that you have experience with these situations and the skills necessary to resolve them. In your answer, try to list some of the most common causes of tension between clients and their representatives and explain what you would do to help diffuse the situation.

Example: “I’ve seen a lot of tension arise from communication problems. Sometimes, it’s because the client doesn’t understand something we tell them or they don’t like our solution. Other times, it’s because they feel like we aren’t listening to them. I always make sure to listen carefully to my clients’ concerns and questions so that I can address them effectively. Another cause of tension is when clients feel like we are taking too long to complete a project. To avoid this issue, I always communicate clearly about timelines and expectations.”

13. What do you think is the biggest mistake made by people who have responsibility for managing client relationships?

This question is an opportunity to show your interviewer that you have experience with managing client relationships and can identify common mistakes. You can answer this question by describing a mistake you’ve seen others make in the past, or you can describe a mistake you would never make yourself.

Example: “I think the biggest mistake made by people who manage client relationships is not being honest with their clients. I know it’s tempting to avoid conflict, but if you’re not upfront about issues or concerns, it can lead to bigger problems later on. In my last role, we had a client who was upset because they didn’t feel like we were communicating well with them. We talked through the issue, and I explained why we hadn’t been as communicative as they wanted us to be. They understood our reasoning, and we were able to resolve the situation.”

14. Are there any situations where you would not hesitate to fire a client? If yes, then which ones exactly?

This question is a great way to see how you handle difficult situations with clients. It also shows the interviewer that you are willing to take responsibility for your actions and can make tough decisions when necessary.

Example: “I would fire a client if they were consistently late on payments or failed to pay their bill at all. I understand that sometimes life gets in the way, but it’s important to communicate this as soon as possible so we can work out an alternative payment plan. If they still refuse to pay after multiple reminders, then I would have no choice but to terminate our relationship.”

15. What skills do you think are needed to be a successful account executive?

Account executives need to have a variety of skills, including communication and interpersonal abilities. Employers ask this question to see if you possess the necessary skills for their role. Before your interview, read through the job description to identify which skills they are looking for in an account executive. In your answer, explain how you possess these skills.

Example: “I think that the most important skill needed to be a successful account executive is strong communication skills. Account executives must be able to communicate with clients effectively. I am confident in my ability to listen to what a client needs and relay that information to my team. Another skill I think is important is problem-solving. As an account executive, I will often be tasked with solving problems for our clients. I enjoy finding solutions to challenging situations.”