How do you handle objections or difficult customers?


 Theme: Customer Handling  Role: Sales Coordinator  Function: Sales

  Interview Question for Sales Coordinator:  See sample answers, motivations & red flags for this common interview question. About Sales Coordinator: Assists the sales team with administrative tasks and coordination. This role falls within the Sales function of a firm. See other interview questions & further information for this role here

 Sample Answer 


  Example response for question delving into Customer Handling with the key points that need to be covered in an effective response. Customize this to your own experience with concrete examples and evidence

  •  Active Listening: I believe in actively listening to customers' concerns and objections. This involves giving them my full attention, maintaining eye contact, and using verbal and non-verbal cues to show that I understand their perspective
  •  Empathy & Understanding: I strive to empathize with difficult customers and understand their frustrations. By putting myself in their shoes, I can better address their concerns and find mutually beneficial solutions
  •  Remaining Calm & Professional: I always maintain a calm and professional demeanor when dealing with objections or difficult customers. This helps to diffuse tense situations and ensures that I can think clearly and respond appropriately
  •  Problem-Solving: When faced with objections or difficult customers, I approach the situation as an opportunity to find solutions. I ask probing questions to identify the root cause of their concerns and work collaboratively to address them
  •  Product Knowledge: Having a deep understanding of the product or service I am selling allows me to confidently address objections and provide accurate information to customers. This helps build trust and credibility
  •  Effective Communication: I communicate clearly and effectively to ensure that customers fully understand the information I am providing. I use simple and concise language, avoid jargon, and provide relevant examples or evidence to support my points
  •  Negotiation & Persuasion: I am skilled in negotiation and persuasion techniques, which I use to overcome objections and win over difficult customers. I focus on highlighting the value and benefits of the product or service, addressing their specific concerns
  •  Follow-up & Relationship Building: After addressing objections or resolving issues, I follow up with customers to ensure their satisfaction. I believe in building long-term relationships by providing ongoing support and demonstrating that their concerns are important to me

 Underlying Motivations 


  What the Interviewer is trying to find out about you and your experiences through this question

  •  Conflict resolution skills: Assessing my ability to handle objections and difficult customers effectively and professionally
  •  Customer service orientation: Evaluating my approach towards maintaining positive customer relationships even in challenging situations
  •  Problem-solving abilities: Determining my capacity to find solutions and address customer concerns in a proactive manner

 Potential Minefields 


  How to avoid some common minefields when answering this question in order to not raise any red flags

  •  Lack of empathy: Not showing understanding or compassion towards the customer's concerns or objections
  •  Defensiveness: Becoming defensive or argumentative when faced with objections or difficult customers
  •  Lack of problem-solving skills: Failing to provide effective solutions or alternatives to address customer objections
  •  Poor communication: Difficulty in clearly articulating ideas or actively listening to customer concerns
  •  Lack of patience: Becoming impatient or frustrated when dealing with difficult customers or objections
  •  Inflexibility: Being unwilling to adapt or find compromises to resolve customer objections
  •  Lack of product knowledge: Not having a thorough understanding of the product or service being sold, leading to ineffective objection handling
  •  Inability to remain calm: Becoming easily flustered or overwhelmed when faced with objections or difficult customers