Account Director

Account Director

What are the skills that make an Account Manager successful?

The question tries to evaluate if a candidate understands how to fulfill the duties of an Account manager. You should at least mention at least three traits that contribute to the success of an account manager. Also, it would help if you described how the attributes could be helpful when working with clients.

• He or she should have at least three to four character traits that make an Account Manager successful
• The candidate should explain the importance of each trait
• Example of an instant a candidate applied one of those qualities to achieve company goals

A successful Account Manager should have market research skills, excellent communication skills and the ability to engage a client.

In which instance did you fail to meet your goal

Account Managers should meet set goals and deadlines. Recruiters will ask this question to evaluate how honest you are and also be able to know the steps you took to rectify the issue. The answer should be as honest as possible.

• Reasons that led to the candidate’s failure to meet the set goals
• The steps taken to rectify the mistake
• Recruiters will be seeking to know if you earnt from your mistakes

I once failed to meet sales targets for a new product we were introducing in the market. This was partly caused by inadequate research on my part as we targeted the wrong audience for the product.

What measures would you take to ensure there is increased revenue for the company?

The primary purpose of getting an employment opportunity is for you to help the company generate revenue and remain profitable. The question will help the employer identify the sales and customer care methods you apply to meet goals.

• Is the candidate offering anything new to the company
• Are they aware of the products and services provided by the company
• How good are they at team playing

I would first ensure the company uses the latest technology and trends in the market to be on par with new demands from the clients.

Which method do you use to build loyalty and long-lasting relationships with your clients?

Apart from getting new clients, an Account Manager should go further to make sure the clients will be there for the longest time possible. The response you give to this question will tell the interviewers if the candidate will take extra steps to build a lasting relationship with clients they have been assigned.

• An ideal candidate should express how important it is to build lasting relationships with clients
• The type of customer care service they use
• How do they make follow-ups on already existing clients

I make regular follow-ups on clients, both online and offline. I reach out to them via calls, sending emails every week, organize for one on one meetings, and provide them with valid and relevant information.

How do you handle a situation where a client comes is aggressive or blames the company for a problem?

The question should tell recruiters how empathetic a candidate is. Such instances are common in any organization, and as an Account Manager, you should have a method that you use to solve such a situation.

• Is the candidate empathetic
• Are they aware of the various methods for solving conflicts
• Do they have practical communication skills

I would sit down with the client and analyze the situation carefully. In this scenario, I would try my best to calmly find the problem and offer the client the available solution. If it doesn’t work, I can refer the case to my seniors.

Have you ever lost a client due to a mistake you made that could otherwise be avoided?

The primary purpose of the question is to determine if the candidate can be honest and accountable for past mistakes.

• Is the candidate able to learn from the mistakes made in the past
• Are they honest in their response
• How confident is the candidate while answering the question

I once failed to make regular follow up on a client who later on joined a competitor company and invested a lot of money in the company.

How do you organize your company email?

The question should determine if the candidate is well organized. The answer given should bring out a candidate’s organization skills.

• Response given should indicate a candidate’s organizational skills
• Are they able to manage the email offline while they are away from the company
• How do they prioritize different kinds of emails

I have created different folders for different types of clients. Moreover, I have set up two-step verification to ensure my email is secure and free from any cyber attack.