Account management can be a very lucrative and fulfilling career path. You’ll be the “face” of your employer to its customers, nurturing relationships and helping to solve problems by ensuring each customer in your portfolio is matched with the right products and services. If you’re looking to step into an account management role, here are four important interview questions you should prepare for.
“Under promise and over deliver every single day! Manage expectations and be realistic with goals attached to updates and delivery of product. Build relationships and incorporate a personal touch so you are not accidentally falling in the transaction of the account. Always do what is best for the company and communicate clearly to all levels so you have complete transparency around the accounts your moving forward! Smile every day and enjoy this critical role,” says Sharon Tsao, CMO, Contemporary Staffing Solutions.
What Are Three Emerging Trends You’re Watching for in This Industry?
Successful account managers have their fingers on the pulse of their industry. They know the factors influencing their niche so that they can make strong recommendations to clients. If you don’t stay informed on trends, you won’t be successful. Make sure that you can speak with authority on noteworthy hot topics impacting the niche the employer operates in.
What Are Your Favorite Productivity Tools and Why?
The ability to keep organized is a critical success factor for account managers. It will be important for you to be able to list the tools you rely on to manage your time, uncover market research, keep track of client statuses, and plan your day. Make sure to describe the value that each tool brings to your job. Don’t worry if the tools you use are not part of the employer’s preferred suite. The point of this question is to uncover your commitment to organization and productivity.
Why Do You Want to Work Here?
It is very important to be prepared for this specific question. As an account manager, you will be tasked with nurturing relationships and promoting the products and services of the employer, and that means you must be an advocate of the organization. They want to know that you took the time to research the company, what it does, who its clients are, the problems it solves and its corporate culture. Talk about the ways your values align with the company’s values and why you are eager to work for a company that solves specific problems for its clients.
How Do You Manage Stress in the Office?
Account management can be extremely stressful. Stress management is necessary to be able to stay focused when the pressure is on. While there are ways to answer this question incorrectly, the truth is, everyone manages stress differently, and hiring managers understand this. For the most part, the hiring manager is just looking for a glimpse at your ability to handle yourself when the heat is on. Talk about the healthy ways you navigate stress – taking five minutes to take some deep breaths and relax, taking a brisk walk at lunch to clear your head and re-focus, stopping what you’re doing and re-prioritizing the items on your list, etc.
If you are seeking new opportunities to grow your career in account management, contact the recruiting team at Contemporary Staffing Solutions today. We are committed to the success of our talent network, and we can help connect you with a position that will help you achieve your career goals.
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Contemporary Staffing connects job seekers to hiring managers nationally in the following professions: Accounting & Finance, Call Center & Office, Human Resources, IT, Salesforce, and Sales & Marketing.
