Best SDR Interview Questions: A Complete Guide For Hiring Sales Development Representatives

Finding the right interview questions to ask when hiring SDRs requires a careful balance of assessing skills, experience, and cultural fit. Let's look at effective ways to identify and select top sales talent for your team.

Key Areas to Cover When Interviewing SDRs

Understanding Sales Drive and Motivation

Start with questions that reveal genuine interest in sales:

• "What draws you to sales specifically?"
• "When did you first know sales was the right path for you?"
• "Which part of the sales process excites you most?"

Assessing Communication Style

Strong SDRs must connect effectively with prospects:

• "Give me an example of how you'd open a cold call."
• "What's your method for building rapport quickly?"
• "Show me how you'd handle a dismissive prospect."

Practical Sales Skills

Check their hands-on experience with:

• Mock prospecting sessions
• Email writing tests
• Role-play scenarios
• Objection handling examples

Daily Work Habits

Understand their approach to:

• Setting and hitting targets
• Managing multiple prospects
• Organising follow-ups
• Balancing admin tasks with calls

Tech Knowledge

Look for experience with:

• Popular CRM systems
• Sales engagement platforms
• Social selling tools
• Productivity software

Resilience and Growth Mindset

Ask about:

• "Your toughest sales period and how you pushed through."
• "Ways you've improved your sales skills recently."
• "How you handle repeated rejection."

Results and Achievements

• "What metrics did you track in previous roles?"
• "Tell me about your best performing campaign."
• "Share your approach to exceeding targets."

Team Collaboration

Evaluate their ability to:

• Work with account executives
• Share knowledge with peers
• Support team goals
• Accept and act on feedback

Warning Signs During Interviews

• Vague responses about past performance
• Limited knowledge of basic sales concepts
• Poor listening skills
• Lack of enthusiasm
• Inconsistent work history

Making Your Final Choice

‍When selecting your next SDR, consider working with specialists who understand the sales development landscape. Book a FREE consultation call with Huzzle to access pre-vetted SDR talent ready to drive results.

Post-Interview Steps

• Review interview notes thoroughly
• Contact professional references
• Set clear expectations
• Create detailed onboarding plans

Asking the right interview questions when hiring SDRs helps ensure you build a sales team that consistently delivers outstanding results.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long should an SDR interview last?
Plan for 45-60 minutes per interview round. This gives enough time to assess skills and cultural fit while maintaining engagement.

Should I include role-play exercises in the interview?
Yes, practical exercises help evaluate real-world skills and how candidates perform under pressure.

What's the ideal number of interview rounds for SDRs?
Two to three rounds work best - initial screening, in-depth interview, and team fit assessment.

How can I test for coachability during the interview?
Give feedback during role-play exercises and watch how candidates respond and adapt their approach.

What's the most important trait to look for in an SDR?
Look for persistence combined with adaptability - these traits often predict long-term success in sales development.

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