20 Podium Interview Questions and Answers

When it comes to customer communication, Podium is in a league of its own. Businesses who interact with customers on a local level depend on Podium to keep the lines of communication open and to deliver a superior customer experience.

If you’re interviewing for a job at Podium, you can expect to be asked a range of questions about your customer service skills, your experience with local businesses, and your ability to use Podium’s platform. To help you prepare, we’ve compiled a list of sample Podium interview questions and answers.

Podium Interview Process

The interview process at Podium can vary depending on the position you are applying for, but generally speaking, it is a fairly quick and easy process. For most positions, you will have a phone screen with a recruiter, followed by one or two in-person interviews. For some positions, such as software engineering, there may be additional rounds of interviews or take-home assignments. Overall, the interview process is relatively straightforward and should not take more than a week or two to complete.

1. Why do you want to work at Podium?

This question can help the interviewer get to know you better and understand why you’re a good fit for their company. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention something specific about Podium that excites you or what drew you to apply for the position.

Example: “I applied for this role because I’m passionate about helping businesses create meaningful connections with customers. In my last job, I helped small businesses develop marketing strategies that increased customer engagement by 20%. I think your company is doing great things in the community, so I would love to be part of that.”

2. What is your experience with the Salesforce CRM platform?

Salesforce is a customer relationship management platform that businesses use to manage their customers and sales. It’s important for the Podium team to know if you have experience with this platform so they can determine whether or not you’re a good fit for the company. If you don’t have experience, it’s okay to say so, but you should also explain what other platforms you’ve used in the past.

Example: “I have worked extensively with Salesforce CRM in my previous role as an account manager at XYZ Marketing Solutions. I was responsible for managing our client relationships and ensuring we were meeting all of their needs. I found that using Salesforce made it easy to keep track of clients and stay organized.”

3. Do you have any previous sales experience?

This question can help the interviewer determine if you have any experience with customer service and sales. If you do, they may ask you to describe a time when you used your skills in both areas to help a client or customer.

Example: “I worked as a sales representative for a local business that sold home improvement supplies. I was responsible for helping customers find what they needed and answering their questions about our products. One day, a customer called asking for advice on how to repair a hole in his wall. I asked him some questions about the size of the hole and what kind of wall he had before recommending a product we carried that would work best.”

4. How would you react to a customer that was angry and raised their voice at you?

This question can help interviewers understand how you would react to a challenging situation and how you might handle it. In your answer, try to show that you have the ability to remain calm in stressful situations and use problem-solving skills to resolve issues with customers.

Example: “I’ve had this happen before at my previous job, and I always make sure to listen to what they’re saying and respond calmly. If they continue to raise their voice or act aggressively, I will ask them to step away from me so we can both take a few deep breaths and calm down. Once we are both calmer, I will explain why I am unable to give them what they want and offer to find someone who can assist them.”

5. Can you tell me about your experience in sales development?

This question is a great way to gauge your experience with cold calling and networking. If you have previous sales experience, the interviewer may ask you more questions about it. Use this opportunity to highlight any skills or experiences that are relevant to the position.

Example: “I’ve had several positions in sales development throughout my career. I find that cold calling can be quite challenging at times, but I always try to make sure that I am prepared for every call. In my last position, I was responsible for reaching out to new businesses within our target market. I would send them information on our company and invite them to attend one of our events.”

6. Tell us about when you had a disagreement with a co-worker or supervisor, how did you handle it?

This question can help interviewers understand how you handle conflict and whether or not you’re able to resolve it. When answering, try to focus on the steps you took to resolve the issue and highlight your communication skills.

Example: “I once had a disagreement with my supervisor about an important project I was working on. Instead of waiting until our next scheduled meeting to discuss it, I asked if we could talk right then so that I could explain why I thought my idea would be better than his. He agreed, and after explaining my reasoning, he understood where I was coming from and changed his mind.”

7. Have you ever worked on projects remotely before?

This question can help interviewers understand your experience with working remotely and how you feel about it. If you have worked on projects remotely in the past, explain what made them successful or unsuccessful.

Example: “I’ve had to work remotely for a few months at my previous job when I was traveling abroad. It was challenging because I wasn’t able to be as hands-on with our clients as I would have liked. However, I found that having weekly calls with my team helped me stay connected and informed of any issues that arose. This allowed me to still provide input and feedback during those calls.”

8. If someone came up to you after you gave a presentation and said they thought you should’ve done things differently. How would you respond?

This question can help interviewers understand how you handle constructive criticism. It’s important to be open to feedback and learn from it when someone gives you suggestions on how to improve your presentation skills or other aspects of your job.

Example: “If someone came up to me after a presentation and gave me some constructive criticism, I would thank them for their input and ask if they could tell me more about what they thought I should’ve done differently. Then, I’d take notes so that I could remember the advice and use it in my next presentation.”

9. Give an example of a time when you were given a project that didn’t go as planned, what happened and what did you learn from it?

This question is a great way to show your problem-solving skills and how you learn from mistakes. When answering this question, it can be helpful to talk about a time when you were given a project that didn’t go as planned but you learned something valuable from the experience.

Example: “In my last role, I was tasked with creating an email marketing campaign for our business. The goal of the campaign was to increase sales by 10% in one month. However, after two weeks into the campaign, we saw no change in sales. After talking with my manager, we decided to end the campaign early and try again later in the year. We ended up seeing a 20% increase in sales during the same time period the following month.”

10. Would you describe yourself as more of an introvert or extrovert?

This question is a great way to learn more about the candidate’s personality and how they interact with others. Interviewers ask this question to see if you would be comfortable in their company culture, which can often be very outgoing. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention one or two of your strengths that are related to being an introvert or extrovert.

Example: “I am definitely more of an introvert than an extrovert. I find that I get my best work done when I have time to myself to think through problems and reflect on solutions. However, I also love meeting new people and learning about them. This makes me feel like I’m getting to know someone better while still maintaining some distance.”

11. How does product-led growth differ from traditional sales models?

This question can help the interviewer understand your knowledge of growth strategies and how you apply them to achieve success. Use examples from your experience to explain what product-led growth is, its benefits and how it differs from traditional sales models.

Example: “Product-led growth focuses on creating a valuable product that customers want to buy rather than selling products based on customer needs. In my last role as a digital marketing specialist, I helped implement this strategy for one of our clients by developing an online presence that would attract new customers while also providing value to existing ones. This resulted in increased revenue within six months.”

12. Describe your communication style with customers and those that you work with.

This question is an opportunity to show your communication skills and how you interact with others. When answering this question, it can be helpful to describe a specific situation where you used your communication style to help solve a problem or achieve a goal.

Example: “I believe that effective communication is the key to success in any business. I always make sure to listen carefully to what my customers are saying so that I understand their needs. In my last role, I had a customer who was upset because they didn’t receive their order on time. I listened to them explain their concerns and then apologized for the delay. I explained our shipping process and offered them a discount on their next purchase.”

13. Tell us about a time when you failed to meet a deadline, what happened and how did you fix it?

This question is a great way to learn more about how you handle pressure and time management. It’s important to be honest in your answer, as the interviewer will likely want to know that you can take responsibility for your actions and learn from them.

Example: “I once had an assignment due at midnight on a Friday night, but I didn’t start working on it until 10 p.m. because of my other assignments. By the time I started working on it, I only had two hours left before it was due. I stayed up all night finishing it, but unfortunately, I forgot to cite one of my sources properly. My professor gave me a zero on the assignment.”

14. Have you ever used Hubspot?

Hubspot is a marketing automation platform that businesses use to create and manage their digital presence. This question allows you to show the interviewer your familiarity with Hubspot, as well as how you might use it in this role.

Example: “I have used Hubspot before, but I’ve found that Podium works better for my needs. However, I think Hubspot is an excellent tool for managing social media accounts and creating content calendars. If hired, I would be happy to learn more about Hubspot so I can help our business integrate it into our marketing strategy.”

15. Tell us about a time when you successfully sold a product to a client that previously had little interest.

This question can help interviewers understand your sales skills and how you interact with clients. Use examples from previous jobs to highlight your communication, problem-solving and customer service skills.

Example: “In my last position as a marketing specialist for a local business, I helped the company create an advertising campaign that would reach customers who had previously ignored their advertisements. We created a new ad that was more eye-catching than our typical ads, and we targeted it toward people who were most likely to be interested in what we offered. The strategy worked, and we saw a significant increase in sales.”

16. What are three words that you think best describes you?

This question is a way for the interviewer to get to know you better. They want to see if your personality matches their company culture and values. When answering this question, be honest about yourself and how you would fit into the role.

Example: “I think my three words are creative, empathetic and organized. I am always looking for new ways to improve our customer experience, so I’m very creative when it comes to problem-solving. I also have an empathetic nature that makes me care deeply about the customers we serve. Finally, I am highly organized in everything I do, which helps me stay on top of my work.”

17. What type of marketing platforms have you used?

This question can help the interviewer understand your experience with similar platforms and how you might fit into their company. If you have no prior experience, consider describing what marketing platforms you would like to use in the future.

Example: “I’ve used several different types of marketing platforms throughout my career, including social media, search engine optimization and email marketing. I find that these platforms work well together because they all focus on reaching customers through digital means. However, I’m always looking for new ways to reach customers and increase sales.”

18. You will be working closely with our account executives, what questions do you have for them?

This question is a great way to show your interest in the company and its culture. It also allows you to ask questions about the job that you might have before accepting it.

Example: “I’m very interested in working with our account executives because I’ve heard they are some of the best in the business. I would like to know what their favorite part of the job is, as well as how they feel the company can improve.”

19. How would you explain a technical concept to someone without a background in technology?

This question is a great way to test your ability to communicate complex ideas in an easy-to-understand manner. It also shows that you can break down technical jargon and simplify it for others.

Example: “I would start by explaining the concept using simple language, then I’d provide examples of how it works. If they still didn’t understand, I would find another example that’s easier to relate to. For instance, if I was explaining blockchain technology, I might explain it as a digital ledger where information is stored securely. Then, I could give them an example of how this technology is used in real life.”

20. What skills from your past experiences do you believe can help you contribute to the success of this role?

This question is an opportunity to highlight your relevant skills and abilities that can help you succeed in the role. When answering this question, it’s important to be honest about what skills you have and how they can benefit the company.

Example: “I believe my communication skills are a valuable asset to Podium because I am able to effectively communicate with customers and colleagues alike. In my previous position as a customer service representative, I was responsible for resolving customer issues and communicating with other team members to ensure we were all on the same page. This skill has helped me become more organized and efficient when working with others.”