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Business Development Executive Interview Questions

Edited by Indeed Employer Content Team
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Indeed’s Employer Resource Library helps businesses grow and manage their workforce. With over 15,000 articles in 6 languages, we offer tactical advice, how-tos and best practices to help businesses hire and retain great employees.

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Whether you are preparing to interview a candidate or applying for a job, review our list of top Business Development Executive interview questions and answers.

  1. If our company wanted to enter a new target market, what strategy would you put in place to help us achieve our goals? See answer
  2. Discuss how you foster client relationships to boost brand loyalty and future purchases. See answer
  3. What would you do if one of your customers was going to move their business to a competitor? See answer
  4. The role of a business development executive requires the management of many tasks at once. How would you handle multiple projects and tasks? See answer
  5. How do you think our company could improve its sales and marketing strategic plan? See answer
  6. Things in this field can change quickly and unexpectedly. How do you handle unexpected changes to project requirements? See answer
  7. What is your management style as a Business Development Executive? See answer
  8. How do you handle customer rejection? See answer
  9. How would you feel if we asked you to work to quotas, and what strategies would you employ? See answer
  10. Our company is planning to branch out into new markets and processes. How would you identify new target markets? See answer
  11. Tell me about any CRM software experience? Did you like or dislike the software used? See answer
  12. Do you know about strategic vs tactical planning? See answer
  13. At what point do you finally stop working with a potential client? See answer
  14. What’s more important, customer relationships or new customers?
  15. What are the challenges you are looking for in this Business Development Executive position?
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Our mission

Indeed’s Employer Resource Library helps businesses grow and manage their workforce. With over 15,000 articles in 6 languages, we offer tactical advice, how-tos and best practices to help businesses hire and retain great employees.

Read our editorial guidelines

15 Business Development Executive Interview Questions and Answers

If our company wanted to enter a new target market, what strategy would you put in place to help us achieve our goals?

Experienced business development executives have ideas for entering new markets, so this question tests their expertise and intelligence. Listen for original ideas over narrations of typical approaches. What to look for in an answer:

  • Creativity and innovation
  • Defined plans and strategies for entering new markets
  • Confident responses

Example:

"If we've already done the research and testing for the new target market, I would first make a marketing plan to include relevant insights. I would set clear goals for the target market, hire a marketing research company if necessary, and implement marketing research. I would do a target market analysis and research competitors. Then I would, outline a project plan, determine entry points for the product, and develop a core value proposition. I would use market research and market testing to refine the strategy."

Discuss how you foster client relationships to boost brand loyalty and future purchases.

Relationship management is an essential element for retaining customers and keeping a solid customer base. Business development executives know that it takes strategic effort to maintain client relationships. You can use this question to evaluate the candidate's strategy for interacting with their client base and gauge their interpersonal skills. What to look for in an answer:

  • Examples of relationship-building strategies
  • Scheduled contact activities
  • High-impact interactions

Example:

"I believe it's vital for each of my customers to feel like a top priority. One way to show them I am focused on their account is calling or sending messages to follow-up and get input at certain intervals beginning with their purchase. I occasionally send personal notes expressing my appreciation for their business and relationship. I also remind them that I am always available. Sometimes if I have a question or am considering a different kind of sale, I'll ask for their opinion and feedback."

What would you do if one of your customers was going to move their business to a competitor?

This question tells you whether the candidate is good at interacting with clients and if they resort to negligence and practise inappropriate or ineffective tactics. Their answer will reveal who is more critical, new customers or retaining existing customers. What to look for in an answer:

  • Emergency and recovery skills
  • Negotiation and problem-solving skills
  • Decision making

Example:

"I see the idea of a customer moving to a competitor as a bad sign and possibly a reflection on my relationship-building skills. As a professional, I would meet with the customer and ask if I could improve service, find out if we are no longer meeting his need, or if it's a price issue. I would offer discounts or other options to show him what a vital customer he is."

The role of a business development executive requires the management of many tasks at once. How would you handle multiple projects and tasks?

This executive will have many responsibilities, and asking this question helps you understand their ability to multitask and organise their work. What to look for in an answer:

  • Awareness of what the job is and its goals
  • Ability to prioritise and delegate to associates
  • Strong organisational and time management skills

Example:

"I check my project plans and sales activity every day, set priorities, and focus on the discipline needed to achieve company goals. When making timelines, I include time to handle the what-ifs and guard my available time to discourage interruptions. I schedule certain times of the day to respond to regular phone and mail messages instead of constant interruptions all day."

How do you think our company could improve its sales and marketing strategic plan?

An answer to this question will tell you if the candidate has done their research on your company and the general direction, they would take to improve sales. What to look for in an answer:

  • Knowledge about your company's current development
  • Creative thinking
  • A logical assessment of development goals

Example:

"I think you could benefit by opening another target market and engage in cross-sell activities. There are other types of businesses that could use your software, and existing customers may have a use for your new add-ins."

Things in this field can change quickly and unexpectedly. How do you handle unexpected changes to project requirements?

Business development executives handle company sales, losing clients, or not closing a deal. The nature of sales and deal-making can change quickly, and you need to know your candidate can react promptly, and problem solve. What to look for in an answer:

  • Problem-solving
  • Creativity and decision making
  • The ability to work under pressure and in a fast-paced workplace

Example:

"The best thing to do in dealing with unexpected change is to step back, think, and prioritise. I would assess the damage or situation and determine how best to address the situation."

What is your management style as a Business Development Executive?

Asking this question will indicate if the candidate can adapt to various situations without disrupting the company's objectives. The most flexible and adaptable management style is a situational-based strategy. However, look for the style that aligns with your company. This question helps you assess how the candidate will grow and develop a team and delegate. What to look for in an answer:

  • Proven ability to learn new sales methods
  • Able to motivate people and increase quotas
  • Ability to work with different personalities

Example:

"A good manager appreciates positive, enthusiastic employees and works with the company culture. I adjust my style or methods for different circumstances. However, I have an overall situational style. I..."

How do you handle customer rejection?

To overcome rejection and succeed, salespeople must persevere. The answer tells if the candidate uses rejection as a motivator or takes it personally. What to look for in an answer:

  • Resiliency
  • Initiative and the ability to move on and focus on other opportunities
  • Ability to identify and accurately react to customers' behaviour

Example:

"I deal with rejection appropriately and realistically. I know that not all prospects will be interested or ready to buy, I don't take it personally. I try to get feedback, learn what went wrong, and listen to the client's reasoning. I use that feedback for improved sales techniques, as a motivator, and move on to the next opportunity with enthusiasm and determination."

How would you feel if we asked you to work to quotas, and what strategies would you employ?

A business development executive should be used to meeting targets or quotas. What to look for in an answer:

  • Detailed strategies to meet quotas
  • Steps to increase quotas and profitability
  • Information about any previous quotas

Example:

"I'm already familiar with working toward quotas which are time-sensitive and measured by specific metrics. I can work on either tactical or strategic plans and can review my processes with you. I also have vast experience implementing steps for maximizing them."

Our company is planning to branch out into new markets and processes. How would you identify new target markets?

A business development executive should always be thinking about strategies to assess and expand the company's customer base. The candidate should highlight their research skills, ability to analyse data, and technology for tracking data.

What to look for in an answer:

  • Analytical skills and experience with big data
  • Strategies for researching new markets and competitors
  • Strong communication and interpersonal skills

Example:

"I would conduct market research, analyse each competitor's market share, and assess my company's sales data to look for patterns. I would develop an estimated financial report and budget, then consult my team and other stakeholders of the company."

What's more important, customer relationships or new customers?

This question gets at a candidate's sales strategy and if it matches up with yours. What to look for in an answer:

  • optimisation
  • Strategic and tactical planning
  • Lifetime value

Example:

"I think we have to work to optimise both existing customer base and new customer acquisition. We need tactics to acquire valuable customers and retain their loyalty. We can automate the process of our social media, content marketing and email marketing and achieve success in several ways. First, we would..."

Tell me about any CRM software experience? Did you like or dislike the software used?

If you're using customer relationship management software, you need to know the candidate's experience with any CRM software package. They don't need experience with your specific product, but their answer can let you how comfortable they are using technology to improve the workplace and workflow.

What to look for in an answer:

  • Knowledge of CRM software
  • Interest in using technology
  • Desire to manage customer relations

Example:

"I've previously used Pipedrive and Monday.com to manage customers. I particularly liked Monday.com because it's such a complete software package that checks all the boxes and more. I have also used..."

Do you know about strategic vs tactical planning?

Business development operates from marketing, sales, and financial plans. These are two terms used for a company's strategy that the candidate should recognise. You can determine if they are clear in the difference by the answers they give. What to look for in an answer:

  • Long-term goal setting
  • Tactical activities
  • Core values

Example:

"The strategic team gathers input from across the company to verify that there's alignment between strategy, the long-term plan, and the priorities of each department and verify that the strategies are actionable. Strategy is the foundation for all the activity within the company. Tactics are how we're going to achieve the strategic plan or goal of the company. I have experience in developing strategic plans and working across all departments to develop our tactical plan."

At what point do you finally stop working with a potential client?

This question reveals how dedicated the candidate is to the sales process, reflecting on his coaching, leadership, and motivational abilities. Patience and problem-solving are additional terms you may hear. What to look for in an answer:

  • Emotional intelligence
  • Patience and perseverance
  • Proven skill in learning new sales methods

Example:

"Various experts say 6-8 tries for a sale to a potential customer, but I'm not sure there's a magic number. I think it depends on the perseverance, patience, and sales style of the salesperson. We can't follow up forever, so it's a good idea to pinpoint what is going on."

What are the challenges you are looking for in a business development executive position?

Asking this question should prompt the candidate to address details of the job, what their contributions will be, and building enthusiasm. What to look for in an answer:

  • Finding ways to improve processes
  • Effective use of experience and skills
  • Leadership and team-building

Example:

"I'm anxious to get to know my team, their performance and activity, and analyzing sales data and strategic plans. I'll enjoy contributing to the coaching and training of the team. I'm motivated by challenges and look forward to any potential tech, sales or process development opportunities. With my proven leadership and sales record, I want to use my skills and abilities to effectively contribute to your company."

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