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Account Manager Interview Questions (+ Sample Answers & Tips from Industry Pros)

Winging it is for amateurs. Learn how to do your best in account manager interviews (with tips from pros).
Contents
Account Manager Interview Questions (+ Sample Answers & Tips from Industry Pros)

As an account manager, you are the bridge between a company and its clients. Your primary goal is to make sure the clients are happy with the products and services.

When interviewing for the role, you need to show you can build relationships, solve problems, upsell and renew contracts, and provide timely feedback and updates to both your internal stakeholders and the clients.

To do this, review your knowledge of client relationship management and software, have your key metrics ready, and be prepared to discuss how you’ve successfully handled challenging client situations in the past.

This guide was created in collaboration with experienced Account Managers and CSM professionals with different seniority levels and industries. A big thank you to Antonio and Vlad for sharing your account management interview experience with us at Big Interview!

What’s inside this guide:

  • A list of 10+ general, behavioral, and situational interview questions to expect and prepare for.
  • Role-specific account management questions you need to nail (and how to do it, exactly).
  • Tips on how to prepare for the interview and plan your answers to outperform even more experienced candidates.

If you’re here just for a list of questions, it’s right below.

The most common account manager interview questions:

Understanding the Role of an Account Manager

As an account manager, you are farming, not hunting. Your primary responsibilities will be to cultivate relationships with clients, solve problems, retain accounts, and cross-sell or upsell them*. You also need to provide reports and updates, both to the client and internally.

To do this well, you need a unique mix of soft and technical skills — you need to know your products and services inside out, but also excel at communication, negotiation, customer service, and active listening.

In your AM interview, you need to *really* demonstrate those skills. It’s not enough to just list them. Instead of giving them the pure theory (I can do X, Y, Z), you need to share relevant stories that will illustrate and add credibility to what you’re claiming to be (more about this later).

*Roughly 80% will be client retention, 20% upselling and cross-selling, but the exact breakdown depends on your role and the industry. You may be expected to hunt for new business with new accounts. Make sure to consider that before your interview — the job posting may say Account Manager, but they may want to assess all sales acumen, so prepare for sales-related questions too.

Common Account Manager Interview Questions and Sample Answers

Basic Interview Questions for Account Managers

These are the questions you can expect in 9 out of 10 Account Manager interviews.

Tell me about your experience in account management.

Sample answer: 

I began my career at Nestle in supervision and quality control, quickly gaining a reputation for my attention to detail and ability to ensure compliance with high standards. After two years, my performance and dedication got me a promotion to Key Account Manager. In this role, I spent the following seven years driving growth and fostering strong relationships with key retail partners.During my time at Nestle, I successfully negotiated and executed numerous high-impact promotional campaigns, consistently exceeding sales targets by an average of 15% annually. I played a key role in negotiating annual trading terms with major retailers in my territory, securing favorable conditions that boosted Nestle’s market share. My strategic planning and execution led to an 18% increase in shelf space for our products.

After this, I joined Orbico Group as a Key Account Manager, where I spent four years managing top-tier retail accounts. There, I also led cross-functional teams in the implementation of innovative in-store marketing strategies, resulting in a 30% uplift in promotional effectiveness.

For the past five years, I have been with Jana, where I have continued to excel as a Key Account Manager. My focus has been on building and maintaining strategic partnerships with major retail chains, driving a 12% increase in annual revenue. 

I can say I have an excellent understanding of the retail landscape, shopper insights, category management, and strategic account planning.

Tips on how to answer:

  • This is an excellent opportunity to tell your story in your own words. Explain what you did so far in your career, talk about your previous Account Manager roles and what parts of the job you enjoy the most.
  • Your answer should be short, structured, and to the point. Check out the sample answers for “Tell me about yourself,” and give it the role-specific spin.

What strategies do you use to maintain strong client relationships?

Sample answer:

To me, account management is all about building relationships, and sometimes, you need to go beyond the “strictly business.” You’re aiming to be viewed as more than a business partner who wants to earn money, but move to the “partner and a friend” category. You want to aim for that because that’s when you can promote and advocate for your interests.

To do that, you need to have open communication and show you understand each client’s unique needs. One effective strategy I use is the implementation of regular business reviews. For example, while working at Jana, I scheduled quarterly business reviews with our largest retail partner. During these reviews, we collaboratively analyzed sales data, discussed market trends, and evaluated the performance of current promotions. This helped us identify growth opportunities and address any concerns before they became issues. As a result, we were able to co-create tailored marketing strategies that led to a 20% increase in sales for both parties over two years.

Tips on how to answer:

  • Emphasize key skills like regular and transparent communication, building trust, and going the extra mile.
  • Back it up with examples of when you delivered on a promise, showed you’re reliable, or demonstrated integrity.

How do you handle conflicts with a client?

Sample answer:

In my current SaaS startup, we often do feature requests for large clients. We had a key client who was unhappy with the recent update that they requested. They felt the new feature disrupted their workflow and were considering leaving. My task was to address their concerns, restore their confidence in our product, and retain their business. I arranged a video call with the client to discuss their concerns in detail. After listening to what they had to say, I assured them that their satisfaction was our top priority. I then had a meeting with Product to understand the specifics of the issues and brainstorm potential solutions. Next, I booked us a follow-up meeting, where I presented a customized solution that included a temporary rollback. I organized weekly calls with Product and a client representative to track the new feature progress. The client appreciated our prompt and personalized response. We managed to keep the client. As a matter of fact, over the next quarter, their satisfaction scores improved significantly, and they even provided positive feedback in our customer survey.

Tips on how to answer:

  • Show ownership. Don’t choose an example where you needed to escalate and involve the higher-ups — you might come across as incapable of solving difficult issues on your own.
  • Focus on outcomes. Share specific, tangible, and positive results of your actions (improved client satisfaction scores, retention, or something else that’s measurable).

What sales targets have you met or exceeded in the past?

Sample answer:

In my role, there are several opportunities for cross-selling, upselling and product conversion. I have consistently met and exceeded my targets by leveraging opportunities for upselling and converting clients. Over the past 12 months, I had a target to boost add-on sales by 20%, and transition a significant portion of our hardware appliance customers to our cloud-based system.Specifically, I focused on promoting our social media monitoring add-on, which resulted in a 30% uptake among existing customers, well above the 15% target. Furthermore, I successfully converted 40% of our hardware appliance clients to our cloud system, exceeding the target of 35%. I also managed to keep our ARR in control and had only 1 small churn in my territory.

Tips on how to answer:

  • Use recent goals that should be directly related to the job you’re applying for. For example, if the role is more about retention than upsell, focus on your retention metrics.
  • Don’t make things up! It’s better to say that you don’t remember the specific numbers than make unrealistic promises.

A note on your outfit: Don’t compromise on formalwear. It’s best to wear dark slacks, a long-sleeved white button-down shirt. If you’re going for a six-figure salary, go for a gray or neutral-color suit.

Behavioral Interview Questions for Account Managers

Behavioral questions can give you a hard time. They’re often about complex, real-world scenarios and require a deep understanding of client relationships, problem-solving, and communication skills.

Interviewers could ask about handling difficult clients, resolving conflicts, managing competing priorities and negotiation, so you’ll have to draw on nuanced experiences.

Here are some questions to expect:

Describe a time when you turned a negative client situation into a positive one.

Sample answer:

Our software is quite robust, so there are situations when a client isn’t really sure how to perform certain tasks. This is when they get frustrated and blame it on the product or us as a company. For example, I recently had a client who was struggling to set up a complex email retention policy for their global departments. To address this, I took the time to walk them through the process, step by step. We also recorded the call and agreed to co-create internal training for his team. 

Another instance was when a client had trouble setting up journaling on their server, which was technically outside our account support scope. Recognizing their need, I asked one of our Tech Engineers to step in and guide them through the setup process. By providing help beyond our usual responsibilities, and doing it at zero cost, we greatly improved the client’s overall experience and their opinion of our company.

Both customers later went on to renew their contracts, leave stellar product reviews, and agreed to do case studies with us. Both cited how our “above and beyond” mentality was crucial.

Tips on how to answer:

  • Show you can make things happen by going beyond the job description and providing extra support.
  • Account Manager roles are about drive, so don’t be afraid to provide a track record of making smart decisions with a direction behind them.

Tell me about a long-term project you managed for a client.

Sample answer:

One of our key clients wanted to launch a new line of eco-friendly products. This was a significant initiative for them as it aligned with their corporate sustainability goals. They expected it to drive a 15% increase in sales over the next two years.As the Account Manager, I was responsible for overseeing the entire project and ensuring that it met the client’s expectations, timelines, and budget. This involved coordinating with various departments like marketing, logistics, and product development.

I began by organizing a kickoff meeting with the client’s key stakeholders to understand their vision and objectives. I then created a detailed project plan outlining each phase of the project, milestones, and deliverables. To ensure smooth communication and alignment, I set up bi-weekly status meetings with the client and my internal team. Throughout the project, I had to monitor progress, manage risks, and address any issues promptly. For example, when there were delays in product development due to supply chain disruptions, I worked with our logistics team to find alternative suppliers, ensuring the project stayed on track.

The project was successfully completed within the agreed timeline and budget. The new product line was launched on time and with no hiccups, and within the first six months, the client reported a 10% increase in sales, which was a strong indicator that we were on track to meet the 15% target.

Tips on how to answer:

  • You want to be specific and detailed. Mention client objectives, your responsibilities, and the specific actions you took.
  • To really hit the nail on the head, include quantifiable results to show the impact of your work.
  • Don’t forget to showcase team collaboration. To show you can manage complex projects that involve multiple internal and external stakeholders, give examples of how you communicated and coordinated everything effectively.

How do you balance the needs of multiple clients?

Sample answer:

I think the key is in personalizing the strategies, but also knowing how to communicate proactively and prioritize. One example from my experience involves managing two key accounts: one in the retail sector and another in the healthcare industry. Both were crucial to the business, but their needs were vastly different. The retail client needed rapid execution on seasonal campaigns, while the healthcare client had a longer sales cycle, focusing more on compliance and regulatory updates.

To manage this, I started by learning about each client’s specific goals and timelines through regular check-ins and strategic planning sessions. I then mapped out a detailed plan, breaking down tasks by urgency and aligning them with each client’s priorities.

For the retail client, I ensured we had a fast-turnaround process in place, with a dedicated team to handle the fast-paced nature of their campaigns. We also had weekly calls and a shared project management tool to help us adapt quickly without compromising on quality.

With the healthcare client, I had to be a lot more methodical. I organized monthly strategy meetings with their team to discuss upcoming regulatory changes and how our solutions could support their compliance efforts. I also worked with our legal and product teams to stay ahead of any potential issues so that we could provide timely updates and maintain their trust.

Tips on how to answer:

  • Try to quantify your impact by using numbers, percentages, or dollar amounts. This will make it more tangible and show you can drive results.
  • Focus on the value provided to the client rather than just the price.

Can you share an experience where your negotiation skills were tested?

Sample answer:

 worked with a long-standing client in the SaaS industry. The client was scaling their operations and were interested in upgrading to our enterprise package, which included several advanced features they needed. However, they also expected a significant discount, far beyond what I was authorized to offer.Before the negotiation, I did an in-depth analysis of the client’s account, things like their usage patterns, growth potential, and the additional value the enterprise package would provide them. I figured out that our solution could support their expansion into new markets and reduce their overall IT costs by 15% over the next year. Armed with this data, I prepared a proposal that emphasized the ROI they would gain from the upgrade, rather than focusing solely on the cost.

In our negotiation, the client initially pushed for a 25% discount on the enterprise package, which would have significantly eroded our margins. I showed I understood their concerns and highlighted the additional value they would receive, including dedicated support and enhanced security features. I also shared case studies of similar clients who had seen a 20% increase in their revenue after upgrading.

Understanding that their budget constraints were a real concern, I offered a 15% discount if they committed to a two-year contract instead of one. This would provide them with cost savings and ensure our partnership continued to grow long-term. 

After some back-and-forth, we settled on the two-year contract with a 15% discount, and the client opted for the enterprise package. This upsell resulted in a 25% increase in their annual spend with us, translating to an additional $174,000 in revenue over the contract period. 

Tips on how to answer:

  • Be transparent. As an AM, you need to negotiate terms, prices, and service levels with clients, so you need to show you can do it comfortably.
  • When negotiating, you’re maximizing value for the company while still securing the best terms for the client. Show you can strike the right balance.

Situational Interview Questions for Account Managers

Just like behavioral, situational questions mirror real-world situations you might encounter in the role. As an Account Manager, you’ll often face unexpected issues with clients, deadlines, or team coordination, and you need to show the interviewers you can think critically and provide a structured response.

Here are some common situational questions to expect:

How would you approach a new client in a competitive industry?

Sample answer:

I’d start by doing in-depth research into the client’s industry so as to understand what their main competitors are doing, what market trends are shaping the industry, and what their main challenges are. At this stage, it’s important to go beyond simply gathering data. You want to identify gaps and opportunities where we can add genuine value.I would then reach out with a personalized proposal that speaks directly to their pain points and goals. In our initial meetings, I’d emphasize building a relationship over a transaction. A crucial thing to do here is listen to their concerns and objectives, and ask questions to uncover underlying issues and goals. During our discussions, I’d be transparent about what we can deliver and where our limitations lie. In my experience, clients in competitive industries appreciate honesty and a realistic approach. I would make sure we set clear expectations and are upfront about how we measure success.

Finally, I’d propose a phased approach. Maybe we start with a pilot to show our capabilities and build confidence without overwhelming them with a large commitment right out of the gate.

Tips on how to answer:

  • Interviewers want to see you’re not just applying a generic strategy. Show you’re capable of conducting thorough research and understanding the specific competitive landscape.
  • Show a strategic and results-driven approach. Outline how you would set clear objectives and outline the metrics you’d use to measure success.

Suppose your main contact at a client company leaves. How do you handle the transition?

Sample answer:

There are two things that can happen here. There’s a scenario where I have regular contact with the client and know that this person will be leaving. In this case, I would ask who’ll be taking over their responsibilities. When I have the information about the new contact, I would send an introduction email to introduce myself, then go on to update my CRM and all relevant systems related to the client, including billing. I would need to notify all the internal departments working with the client, like Tech Support or Marketing.

In another scenario, where the contact is no longer available, but has not informed me for various reasons, which is rare if you have built a proper relationship with the client, I would check for other contacts in the CRM and inquire with them.For example, one of my main contacts at a tech company unexpectedly left their role. I knew this could potentially disrupt our ongoing projects, so I acted quickly.First, I reached out to my contact’s manager to express my appreciation for the work we had done together and to inquire about the transition plan. I made it clear that my priority was to ensure there was no loss of momentum and that the client’s needs would continue to be met without interruption. Next, I requested an introduction to the new point of contact. Once connected, I booked a discovery meeting to understand their perspective, priorities, and how they preferred to work. At that meeting, I also provided a concise overview of our current projects, milestones, and the value we had delivered so far, ensuring that they were fully up to speed.I also prepared a detailed transition document that included all critical information about the account — key objectives, ongoing initiatives, timelines, and deliverables. I shared this document with the new contact and their team. I also looked for opportunities to add immediate value, such as offering a customized product demo or sharing relevant industry insights, which helped to establish trust early on.

Tips on how to answer:

  • You want to show you’re thorough and proactive. The interviewers want to see you can build a solid relationship from the start, so mention the exact steps you would take to ensure a smooth transition.
  • Ideally, your answer should indicate that your approach is to prevent rather than cure. Explain that you would most likely already have a relationship established with the “new” main contact.

Imagine a scenario where sales are declining. What steps do you take?

Sample answer:

I would start by creating a comprehensive report of all clients and the exact products they use. This would help me identify opportunities for upselling and cross-selling. Next, I would reach out to all clients to assess their satisfaction and detect any potential issues or signs of more churn. This client feedback, combined with an analysis of market trends and internal performance metrics, would help pinpoint the root causes of the sales decline.

Based on this analysis, I would implement strategies to prevent further churn, such as tailored offers or enhanced customer support. Additionally, if my role allows, I would actively engage in new business development to explore new sales opportunities and expand the client base

Tips on how to answer:

  • This question is about data-driven decision-making and proactive client engagement. Ideally, you want to show you can diagnose problems and address sales declines proactively.

Role-specific Interview Questions for Account Managers

No Account Manager role is the same. What exactly you’ll be doing depends on the industry, sector, global regions, and company size.

For example, in tech companies, AMs often focus on managing client relationships around complex software or hardware solutions. They may need to have the technical expertise and handle ongoing support, upgrades, product customization, and product feature demos.

On the other hand, if you’re in retail, you’ll be working with vendors or major clients, focusing on product placement, inventory management, and promotional strategies. This role may be more about data analysis and trend forecasting.

The same goes for company size — in smaller companies, AMs have a more hands-on approach and a broader scope of responsibilities, including customer success, ongoing support, and even some segments of marketing.

In larger organizations, Account Managers typically have a more specialized role. They may focus on managing relationships with key accounts, and their tasks are typically segmented among different teams, such as sales support, PM, and customer success.

This being said, the role-specific questions you’ll get in your Account Manager interview are very difficult to predict. You have to rely on your own research, but here are a few to give you a point of reference.

How do you customize solutions for different clients?

Sample answer:

As a Key Account Manager for a data archiving and compliance company, the key to customizing solutions lies in a deep understanding of their unique needs and challenges. The process begins with a comprehensive consultation to understand the client’s industry, regulatory requirements, and current data management practices. This initial discovery phase is crucial for identifying specific pain points, such as compliance and lawsuit management needs, and assessing their existing IT infrastructure. This is usually done in pre-sales, but I do it quite a lot with upsells and cross-sells too. Once we have a clear picture of the client’s requirements, we design a solution that is both scalable and compatible with their existing systems. A strong focus on regulatory compliance is also critical, as different industries have unique legal requirements, such as HIPAA for healthcare or FINRA for financial services. We work closely with clients to configure data retention policies, access controls, and audit trails, helping them maintain compliance and mitigate risk.

The implementation phase is carefully planned to ensure a smooth transition, including a detailed timeline, clear milestones, and white-glove support. We provide comprehensive training to ensure the client’s team is proficient with the new system and offer ongoing support to address any issues that may come up. 

And then of course I have regular check-ins to evaluate system performance, gather feedback, and make any necessary adjustments to optimize the solution.

Tips on how to answer:

  • Show that you can put client needs first. A customized solution demonstrates a deep understanding and commitment to the client’s business.
  • On the other hand, knowing which customization to offer to which client shows you have an excellent grasp of the product and upsell or cross-sell opportunities.

Describe your familiarity with our CRM software.

Sample answer:

I am quite familiar with HubSpot, I’ve been using it for years in my current role. I’ve used HubSpot’s CRM features for reviewing account history, managing client communication, tracking sales activities, and automating email campaigns. My experience includes customizing dashboards to monitor key metrics, utilizing workflows to streamline communication, and leveraging reporting tools to analyze sales performance and client engagement.When I first started as an AM, I also completed four relevant courses on HubSpot Academy, so I’m certified in the platform’s functionalities and best practices.

Tips on how to answer:

  • Don’t panic if you’ve never used their CRM. Or maybe you’re used to HubSpot but they’re on Salesforce. Most of these tools are quite similar, so make sure you show a positive attitude.
  • Focus on CRM hygiene — being meticulous about logging everything and having meetings locked in for the future. Many reps are sloppy in this department, so you want to showcase this as a strength.

If you had to audit our account management strategy for [Client X], what would your first steps be?

Sample answer:

To do this, I would need a lot of data. I would start by collecting all relevant data related to sales performance, client interactions, and account history. This includes reviewing past sales reports, client feedback, and any strategic documents related to the client. I would then assess the existing account management strategy by meeting with the team to understand what actions have been taken in the previous periods like the last quarter or the year. I would evaluate the effectiveness of current tactics and identify any gaps or areas for improvement.

I would then analyze the performance outcomes against objectives. I would like to determine if the current strategy meets client needs and business goals, and identify any necessary adjustments or new approaches. Of course, I would avoid any immediate changes. It’s important to avoid making hasty decisions without a thorough understanding of the context and previous efforts.

Tips on how to answer:

  • Stress the importance of meeting with the account management team to learn more about their experiences and perspectives.
  • Show that you would support any changes with data, client feedback and performance metrics.

Both Antonio and Vlad have built their own teams and hired other AMs. Here’s what they consider their ultimate account manager interview tips, having been on both sides of the table.

💡Pro tip: Show you’re driven and what drives you. As interviewers, we want to understand why you chose your previous jobs and applied to this company (over another one). We also want to see your track record, so have your results ready. We know you care about the earning potential, and we expect you to bring it up openly and negotiate. Still, you want to be thoughtful and show us you’re working towards something greater than just another role or a cool workplace. Make sure to know what drives you outside or money or promotion. Don’t be afraid to tell your story and what really pushes you.

How to Answer Account Manager Interview Questions

Use the STAR method with solid, real-life examples

Most Account Manager interview questions will be situational or behavioral. These are the questions that start with “Describe a time you…” or “What would you do if…”

They require you to tell a story about a past situation or a hypothetical scenario, and to keep your answer structured and on-topic, it’s best to use the STAR formula.

STAR stands for Situation, Task, Action, Result, and you can treat it as a four-step framework to structure your story. The STAR formula works because you get to explain to the interviewers exactly what you did and what results it brought.

  • Situation: Give some context by explaining the situation.
  • Task: Explain what you had to do or what had gone wrong and needed fixing.
  • Action: Describe what you did (and weave in your key skills).
  • Result: Explain what the results were and focus on positive outcomes.

Focus on relationship building and client satisfaction

As an Account Manager, 80% of your day-to-day is about building and nurturing relationships and focusing on client satisfaction. So, whatever questions you get in the interview, make sure to weave in these two key aspects of the job.

You need to show how you get to know the clients and understand what they need. Show you’re great at follow-up and how you check in regularly to see how things are going.

Although upselling and cross-selling is a major part of the role (and you should absolutely discuss quota and your earning potential), keep your focus on the client. A good Account Manager will never sell a bad fit deal or be dishonest because it will ruin the relationship with the client. In your interview, you need to show you can balance your loyalty to the business with the loyalty to the client.

Practice your answers and delivery

Interviews and account management are not that different — you need to read the room, establish a connection, be confident and persuasive, and show them you can get the job done.

But this is easier said than done, and you need to come prepared because it’s typically harder to advocate for yourself than sell a product or service. Practicing will help you articulate your experiences, achievements, and skills more clearly.

Having a success inventory (or a list of accomplishments) ready is essential. With concrete examples of your past successes, you’ll make your case stronger when discussing your qualifications.

The best way to tie it all together is go over the list of the most common questions you’ll be asked, and practice answering them, focusing on the behavioral and situational questions that will make up 70-80% of your interview.

An interview simulator tool can be helpful, as it combines all of these elements while also giving you AI feedback on the content and structure of your answer, plus all the nonverbal elements like the insecure “UMMs” and body language.

account manager interview questions

Questions to Ask the Interviewers

Here are some smart questions to ask at the end of your Account Manager interview (vetted by both Vlad and Antonio):

  • What percentage hit quota last quarter?
  • What are the immediate problems to be worked on?
  • How can you tell if someone is doing a good job in this role?
  • What are the 30/60/90 expectations?
  • Do you see yourself moving up in this company?
  • How is the company performing?
  • Why did the person I’m backfilling leave?
  • What would you say are the top 3 use cases for this software that your clients find useful?
  • What is the product roadmap?
  • What percentage of the pipeline is impacted by BDR/self-sourced/marketing generated?
  • What does the enablement stack look like?
  • What’s the usual ramp time and ramping rep attainment?
  • How does the company support a rep’s outbound process?
  • What competitors am I most likely to run into?
  • What is the expected deal size for renewals?
  • How much renewal vs. new book business is expected?
  • How is Marketing going to support me?

Summary of the Main Points

Here’s a quick recap of everything you need to know before your Account Manager interview.

  • Account Manager interview questions will focus on understanding client needs and resolving complaints, but also upselling and cross-selling.
  • You will be grilled on your experience and results. Your main interview goal is to highlight key skills like strong communication, problem-solving, conflict resolution, customer service orientation, and an extensive knowledge of the company products and the entire industry.
  • Apart from that, you’ll need to provide specific examples of how you succeeded in similar roles in the past, with as many tangible results that add proof. Have quantifiable results ready — dollars made, sales increased, time saved, databases migrated, churn rate, ARR, product reviews and case studies done… whatever KPIs make sense for your particular role. For more senior positions, the interviewers will appreciate your thought leadership and process improvement initiatives.
  • Be ready for uncomfortable or out-of-the-box questions like “What is your biggest loss?”, “How do you plan on enabling yourself?” or “How do you save an account in 3 days?”
  • A note on your outfit: Don’t compromise on formal wear. It’s best to wear dark slacks, a long-sleeved white button-down shirt. If you’re going for a six-figure salary, go for a gray or neutral-color suit.
  • Talk about specific past situations, difficult clients you retained, a new strategy, or a process improvement you initiated.
  • Practice answering questions using the STAR format. Most AM questions are behavioral or situational, and you’ll need to come up with a story and give examples in your answer.

FAQ

How to answer interview questions with limited account management experience?

To answer Account Manager interview questions with limited experience, try to learn as much as you can about the role, learn the lingo, scour the Reddit threads on AM interviews, and take notes. You can still make a strong impression if you highlight transferable skills and soft skills like communication, problem-solving, and multitasking.

What are the toughest questions an account manager might face?

Some of the toughest questions are situational and behavioral questions that focus on negative aspects of the role like losing a client or ruining a negotiation. These questions ask you to recall situations or come up with imaginary scenarios and describe how you acted or would act. If they come up, it’s best to own your mistakes, use the STAR format to structure your answer, and mention what you learned from the experience.

What should I wear to an account manager interview?

For an Account Manager interview, you’re in a customer-facing role while proper attire and grooming are required. It’s best to dress professionally and match the company dress code and culture. A dark- or neutral-colored suit and a crisp white shirt is a safe choice. Wear formal shoes and keep your accessories and make-up simple. Make sure your hair is neatly styled, nails clean, and overall grooming impeccable.

How to research my target company pre-interview?

To research the company before the interview, visit their website, social media profiles, and note down any important information like the key stakeholders, customers, and company culture. If possible, try to obtain inside information on Reddit or through former and current employees (nothing wrong about that!). If you know who you’ll be talking to, who the hiring manager is, you’ll be able to tailor your approach based on their role and responsibilities. Are you there to replace an underperforming rep, or are they looking for someone with new ideas.

Bojana Krstic
A writer who values workplace culture and knows a thing or two about resumes and interviewing. When AFK, she spends her time hiking or exploring the Adriatic. Here to help you land your dream job.
Edited By:
Michael Tomaszewski
Michael Tomaszewski
Fact Checked By:
Pamela Skillings
Pamela Skillings

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