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

•  Background: Briefly explain the situation and the customer's difficulty
•  Preparation: Describe the steps you took to prepare for the negotiation
•  Communication: Explain how you effectively communicated with the difficult customer
•  Problem-solving: Outline the strategies you used to address the customer's concerns
•  Compromise: Discuss the compromises or concessions you made to reach a deal
•  Outcome: Summarize the final outcome of the negotiation and the customer's satisfaction

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

•  Conflict resolution skills: Assessing how well you handle difficult situations and find solutions
•  Negotiation skills: Evaluating your ability to negotiate and reach mutually beneficial agreements
•  Customer relationship management: Understanding how you manage challenging customers and maintain positive relationships
•  Problem-solving abilities: Assessing your approach to resolving issues and finding win-win solutions

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

•  Blaming the customer: Avoid blaming or badmouthing the difficult customer. Instead, focus on how you effectively handled the situation
•  Lack of preparation: Avoid showing a lack of preparation or knowledge about the negotiation. Demonstrate that you were well-prepared and had a clear strategy
•  Inflexibility: Avoid coming across as inflexible or unwilling to find a mutually beneficial solution. Emphasize your ability to adapt and find common ground
•  Lack of empathy: Avoid showing a lack of empathy towards the customer's concerns or frustrations. Highlight your ability to understand their perspective and address their needs
•  Poor communication skills: Avoid demonstrating poor communication skills or an inability to effectively convey your points. Showcase your strong communication skills and ability to articulate your thoughts clearly

 Related

  Other questions asked for the Inside Sales Representative in Sales function. View details for the Inside Sales Representative here

• How do you handle objections from potential customers?
• Describe a time when you exceeded sales targets.
• How do you prioritize your sales activities?
• What strategies do you use to generate leads?
• How do you build and maintain relationships with clients?
• Tell me about a difficult sales situation you faced and how you resolved it.
• What is your approach to cold calling?
• What CRM software have you used in the past?
• Describe your sales process from prospecting to closing.
• How do you handle a high volume of sales calls or emails?
• What is your approach to upselling and cross-selling?
• How do you stay motivated in a sales role?
• What sales metrics do you track and how do you use them to improve performance?
• Describe a time when you had to work collaboratively with other departments or teams.
• How do you adapt your sales approach to different types of customers?
• Tell me about a time when you had to handle a dissatisfied customer.
• What is your understanding of the target market for our products/services?
• How do you handle rejection in sales?
• Tell me about your previous experience in sales.