20 Gartner Interview Questions and Answers

When it comes to interviewing with Gartner, you can expect to be asked questions that are specific to the company and its research board. While some interview questions may be common across different companies, others will be unique to Gartner.

To help you prepare for your interview, we’ve compiled a list of some of the most common Gartner interview questions. We’ve also included sample answers to give you an idea of how you can respond to each question.

Gartner Interview Process

The interview process at Gartner can vary depending on the position you are applying for, but generally includes a phone screen with a recruiter, a behavioral based interview, and an interview with the hiring manager. For some positions, there may also be a role play and/or assessment with a Lead Skills Assessor. The entire process can take anywhere from a few weeks to a few months.

1. Why do you want to work at Gartner?

This question is a great way to see if you have done your research on the company. It also allows you to show that you are passionate about working for this organization and understand what it offers its employees. When preparing for this question, make sure you read through the job description and highlight any aspects of the role that appeal to you.

Example: “I am interested in working at Gartner because I believe in the mission of the company. You provide valuable insights into the technology industry, which helps businesses make better decisions when investing in new technologies. I would love to be part of a team that makes such an impact on the world.”

2. What is your experience with sales and marketing?

Gartner is a research and advisory company that offers different services to its clients. The interviewer may ask you this question to understand your experience with sales and marketing, as these are two important aspects of the job. Use examples from previous jobs to show how you can apply your skills in these areas.

Example: “In my last position, I was responsible for creating content for our website and social media accounts. This included writing blog posts, managing our online presence on various platforms and developing strategies to increase traffic to our site. I also worked closely with our marketing team to create new campaigns and promotions.”

3. How would you deal with a difficult customer?

This question is a great way to assess your customer service skills. Interviewers ask this question to see how you would handle an upset client and whether or not you have the ability to diffuse a situation. In your answer, try to show that you can be empathetic and use problem-solving skills to help customers find solutions to their problems.

Example: “I believe it’s important to listen to what a customer has to say and understand why they are frustrated. I also think it’s helpful to apologize for any inconvenience caused by our company. Once I’ve listened to them and apologized, I will do my best to solve their issue as quickly as possible. If there is something we can improve on in the future, I will make sure to relay that information back to my manager.”

4. Describe your sales process, step by step.

This question is a great way to see how you approach sales and customer service. It’s also an opportunity for you to show your knowledge of Gartner products and services.

Example: “I start by identifying the client’s needs, which I do through research and interviews. Then, I present my findings in a report that outlines different solutions to their problem. If they’re interested in one of our offerings, I’ll go over pricing and contract details with them. Once we’ve agreed on terms, I’ll set up a time for delivery or installation.”

5. Do you have any experience working in B2B?

This question is a great way to show your interviewer that you have experience working in the B2B industry. If you don’t, it’s okay to explain why and what other experiences you do have.

Example: “I’ve worked in both B2C and B2B environments throughout my career. I find that having this diverse background has helped me understand how different types of businesses operate. In my last role, I was responsible for creating reports on the latest technology trends within the B2B sector.”

6. What are the qualities of a good leader?

Gartner is a company that requires strong leadership skills. The interviewer may ask this question to see if you have the qualities of a good leader. Use your answer to highlight your ability to lead others and motivate them to achieve goals.

Example: “A good leader should be someone who can inspire others to do their best work. They should also be able to communicate clearly with their team members, so everyone understands what they need to do. A great leader should also be someone who is willing to learn from their mistakes. I am always open to feedback and suggestions for improvement.”

7. Have you ever had to convince someone that they needed something that they didn’t think they did?

This question can help interviewers understand how you approach challenges and convince others to see your point of view. Use examples from previous work experiences where you had to persuade someone or a group of people that they needed something, even if they didn’t think so.

Example: “In my last role as an IT consultant for a small business, I was helping the company create a new website. The owner wanted to use a content management system that would allow him to update his site without hiring outside help. However, he wasn’t aware that this type of CMS required more technical knowledge than he had. I explained why it was important to hire a professional web designer who could maintain the site after he made updates.”

8. Tell me about a time when you were faced with an obstacle that was hard to overcome.

This question is a great way to learn more about how you handle challenges. When answering this question, it can be helpful to talk about a specific time when you overcame an obstacle and the steps you took to overcome it.

Example: “When I was in college, I had a hard time balancing my schoolwork with my internship. This led me to fall behind on some of my assignments. My professor gave me two options—either complete all of my work or take a semester off from school. I chose to stay in school and worked hard to catch up on my assignments. It was challenging, but I managed to get everything done.”

9. What is your approach to prospecting for new clients?

Gartner is a research and advisory company that works with many different companies. Prospecting for new clients is an important part of the job, so interviewers want to know how you would approach this task. Your answer should include your prospecting process and any strategies you use to find new clients.

Example: “I have found that networking at industry events is one of the best ways to meet potential clients. I also send cold emails to people in my network who work at businesses that may be interested in our services. I am always looking for new contacts on LinkedIn and other social media platforms.”

10. What is your greatest strength as a salesperson?

This question is a great way to show your potential employer that you have the skills and abilities needed for the job. When answering this question, it can be helpful to think about what you are most passionate about in sales. You may also want to consider which of your strengths would help you succeed at Gartner.

Example: “My greatest strength as a salesperson is my ability to connect with people. I am very personable and enjoy getting to know new clients. This skill has helped me build strong relationships with many of my past clients, which has led to repeat business and referrals.”

11. Explain what you know about Salesforce.com.

This question is a way for the interviewer to assess your knowledge of Salesforce.com, which is one of Gartner’s clients. Your answer should show that you know how this platform works and what it can do.

Example: “I have used Salesforce.com in my previous job as an IT consultant. I helped companies implement this software so they could manage their sales processes more efficiently. The system has many features that allow users to create reports, collaborate with other team members and track leads. It also allows them to access information from anywhere.”

12. What’s one thing that you’re passionate about?

This question is a great way to learn more about your potential co-workers and how they spend their free time. It’s also an opportunity for you to show the interviewer that you’re passionate about something, which can be beneficial in any job. When answering this question, think of something that you enjoy doing outside of work.

Example: “I’m passionate about traveling. I’ve been fortunate enough to visit many different countries around the world, but there are still so many places I want to see. I love learning about new cultures and seeing what life is like in other parts of the world.”

13. Are you comfortable cold calling people?

Cold calling is a common practice in sales, and Gartner often requires its employees to cold call clients. The interviewer wants to know if you have experience with this type of selling and how comfortable you are with it. If you don’t have much experience with cold calling, explain that you’re willing to learn the process.

Example: “I’ve never had to cold call before, but I’m open to learning the process. I understand that it’s an important part of the job, so I would be happy to do whatever training was necessary to get up to speed.”

14. Walk me through a time where you made a sale.

This question is a great way to show your communication skills and ability to persuade. When answering this question, it can be helpful to include specific details about the client or company you were selling to and how you convinced them to work with Gartner.

Example: “I was working as an account manager for a software development company when I met with a potential client who needed help creating a new website. The client had already spent $10,000 on their current website, but they weren’t happy with the results. I explained that our team of web developers could create a better site for less money than what they’d already spent. They agreed to hire us, and we saved them $20,000.”

15. What is your leadership style?

Gartner is a company that requires its employees to be leaders. Your leadership style can help the interviewer determine if you would fit in with their team and how you might contribute to the organization as a whole. When answering this question, describe your approach to leading others and provide examples of when you have used it successfully.

Example: “I believe that effective leadership comes from being an active listener. I make sure to ask questions and actively listen to my team members’ responses so I can understand what they need and how I can best support them. In my last role, I noticed that some of my team members were having trouble collaborating on projects together. I scheduled weekly meetings where we discussed our progress and any challenges we faced. This helped me learn more about each person’s strengths and weaknesses, which allowed me to assign tasks based on who was most qualified for them.”

16. When was the last time you went above and beyond for a client or teammate?

This question can help the interviewer get a better idea of your work ethic and how you approach challenges. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention a specific time when you went above and beyond for a client or teammate and what the result was.

Example: “When I worked with my previous company, we had a client who needed our help finding a new software program that would fit their needs. We spent hours researching different programs and comparing them to each other. In the end, we found a program that met all of their requirements and helped them grow their business.”

17. What are some common traits of successful account executives?

This question can help the interviewer determine if you have the skills and abilities to succeed in this role. Account executives are responsible for developing relationships with clients, so it’s important that they’re able to communicate effectively and build trust. When answering this question, think about what makes an account executive successful and relate those traits to your own experience.

Example: “Account executives need to be confident communicators who are good at building relationships. They should also be organized and detail-oriented because they often work on multiple projects at once. I’ve always been a strong communicator, and my attention to detail has helped me develop strategies to meet client expectations.”

18. Tell me about a time when you failed, how did you handle it?

This question is a great way to learn more about how you respond to failure. It’s important to be honest and show that you can take constructive criticism and use it to improve your work.

Example: “I once had an opportunity to present my research findings at a conference, but I was nervous and forgot some of the information I planned on sharing. I felt embarrassed, but I took notes during the presentation so I could review them later and make sure I didn’t forget anything else. I practiced my speech several times before the next conference, and I received positive feedback from the audience.”

19. What motivates you?

This question can help the interviewer get to know you better and understand what drives your work ethic. Your answer should show that you are motivated by challenges, personal growth or helping others succeed.

Example: “I am motivated by a sense of accomplishment. I love being able to look back on my work and see how it has helped someone else. In my last role, I was tasked with creating a new sales strategy for our company. After weeks of research and analysis, I developed a plan that increased revenue by 20% in just six months. It’s moments like these that make me feel successful.”

20. If hired, how would you generate leads?

Gartner is a research and advisory company that offers different jobs. One of these positions is lead generation, which requires the employee to generate leads for Gartner’s sales team. Your answer should show your ability to understand how this process works and how you would contribute to it.

Example: “I have experience in generating leads through social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter. I know that there are many ways to reach out to potential clients, so I am always looking for new opportunities to expand my network. I also use email marketing as one of my lead-generation strategies because it allows me to target specific audiences.”