Business Development Manager

Business Development Managers are experts at generating new business for companies. Use these sample interview questions to find the best person for the job.

Business Development Manager interview questions

Your zero-regret new hire is sales focused with experience closing business deals. They’ll have awesome self-presentation, great listening and planning skills, and be highly motivated. Plus, they’ll be driven decision-makers with precise time management skills. 

Top tips: 

  • Know who you want: Your dream candidate will depend on the role you’re hiring for. For senior roles, look for good industry knowledge, experience building customer relationships and great strategic-thinking skills. Whereas entry-level candidates will be high-potential with awesome persuasion skills and confidence.
  • Think diversity: Diversity is key for a thriving workplace. Keep an eye out for management and exec-level candidates from varying backgrounds and aim to eliminate bias from your hiring process.

Role-specific interview questions

  • How has your background prepared you for this role?
  • Do you enjoy working with targets? What were your annual quotas in your last role?
  • Describe the process you would follow for business development.
  • How do you keep up-to-date with current trends? How could they affect our business development efforts?
  • How would you identify a potential new market?
  • What are the top three factors to evaluate a deal?
  • How do you find awesome business partners?
  • What’s the best way to connect with existing customers?
  • What are your top sales techniques?
  • How do you prioritize client meetings?
  • Have you used CRM tech before? How?

Behavioral interview questions

  • Tell us about a time you aced a price negotiation.
  • Have you ever dropped a deal? Why?
  • Tell us about your most challenging client. How did you handle them?
  • What’s been your deal highlight?
  • Have you ever struggled to close multiple deals?
  • How do you balance sales, market research and reporting?
  • Tell us about a time you lost business with an important partner. What would you do differently?
  • Have you ever trained junior staff?
  • Have you ever had to sell a product you didn’t believe in?

Problem solving interview questions

  • What partnerships would be beneficial for our company?
  • Which two questions would you ask to understand the needs of a prospective buyer?
  • How would you evaluate [this] new market?
  • How would you sell [this product] in three minutes?
  • What would you do if a prospective client was avoiding you?
  • How would you cope without a car for a week?
  • How do you negotiate with an angry prospect?
  • How would you approach a customer who was testing a competitor's product?
  • How would you approach team members who have conflicting opinions about a deal?

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