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IBM Sales Specialist Interview Questions & Reviews

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Web: www.ibm.com | HQ: Armonk, NY

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Interview questions and reviews posted anonymously by interview candidates.

Difficulty Rating [?] Based on 5 ratings

2.6

“Easy” Interview

Interview Experience [?] Based on 5 ratings

Positive	60%
Neutral	40%
Negative	0%

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1–5 of 5 IBM Interviews

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1.0

Very Easy Interview

Overall Positive Experience

Received and Accepted Offer

Interviewed Jul 2011 (took 3 weeks)

3 interviews, one by phone, and 2 by 1 on 1 interviews.

Interview Questions

Give us an xample of how you are creative in the workplace

Answer Question

Other Details

I Applied Online and the interview consisted of a 1:1 Interview.

Helpful Interview?

Yes | No

Inappropriate?

4.0

Difficult Interview

Overall Positive Experience

Received and Accepted Offer

Interviewed Sep 2010 in Hyderabad (India) (took 2 months)

hiring process was good, it was lengthy and some times had too much of ambiguity. I had to follow up with the recruiter every week to understand the progress of my candidature. Also I have foregone two different plum offers from two other companies, as I was keen on this organization and did not want to miss this one. I had gone through 4 different rounds of telephonic interview, one round of personal, two rounds of presentation. They offered me a very lower band. With my kinda experience I could have been placed in a better band, but they say India is a low cost country and so we can only offer so much and cannot pay more. That was very sad, but as I have missed out other two opportunities, had to accept this one. Also they promised an on-shore travel project, but never gave that chance, when asked they showed a recession reason, but thats not how a world renowned company should keep its promises to its employees. Offer has clearly stated that flexibility of working from home is provided, but that was restricted in a few months post joining the company. They do not provide transport nor do they pay shift or transport allowance. Its difficult to work with such company.

Interview Questions

how will your profile help our company and why should I recruit you.

View Answers (1)

Negotiation Details

salary offered was very bad, post negotiation and proving my potential they increased 10% of my CTC. The advice is negotiate well and very well, its important to know your strengths and display them...if not u wud end up getting a raw deal.

Other Details

I got the interview through a Staffing Agency and the interview consisted of a Phone Interview, a 1:1 Interview, a Presentation and a Background Check.

Helpful Interview?

Yes | No

Inappropriate?

3.0

Average Interview

Overall Neutral Experience

Received and Accepted Offer

Interviewed Mar 2011 in Raleigh, NC (took 2 months)

I went through two phone interviews followed by a face to face interview with my hiring manager. IBM was very generous in the recruiting process and flew me to my interview as well as put me up in a hotel near the office site. It took a while for a decision to be made, but it was worth the wait.

Interview Questions

Describe your previous work experience

Answer Question

Describe a time when you overcame a challenge

Answer Question

Other Details

I got the interview through an Employee Referral and the interview consisted of a Phone Interview and a 1:1 Interview.

Helpful Interview?

Yes | No

Inappropriate?

3.0

Average Interview

Overall Positive Experience

Received and Accepted Offer

Interviewed May 2008 (took 1+ week)

I was called for an interview as a result of a referral by an existing employee.

The first interview lasted an hour. I was asked to provide a summary of my educational and professional background. I was also asked specific questions about my prior sales experience, and my reasons for wanting to switch jobs.

This was followed by two more interviews: first with the HR manager, and then with the head of the company. These were much shorter get-to-know-you interviews.

Finally, I was called for a fourth and final interview in which I was presented with the job offer.

Interview Questions

What was the toughest customer you have had to sell to, and how did you convince him?

Answer Question

Negotiation Details

There wasn't too much room for negotiation. The packages and incentives are quite standardized. The only point on which I was able to negotiate was that I needed a 6-week notice period at my previous company to properly hand-over my responsibilities.

Other Details

I got the interview through an Employee Referral and the interview consisted of a 1:1 Interview and a Background Check.

Helpful Interview?

Yes | No

Inappropriate?

2.0

Easy Interview

Overall Neutral Experience

Received and Declined Offer

Interviewed Aug 2007 in New York, NY (took 2 weeks)

A recruiter reached out to me a set up an phone interview. The person I spoke with seemed uninformaed about the position, but I was scheduled to meet with a local manager. The manager was nice and welcoming. When it came down to the real questions, things seemed to fall apart. Territory, quotas, techincal support for the position were vague. As a sesaoned salesperson, I wasn't able to get a good grasp of how I'd be used. I got the sense there was a sink or swim aspect to the success of the job. I was being sold on the benefits of working at IBM, instead of how I could utilize my sales experience, grow within the role and organization. Very little substance on the actual job or reporting structure and the real contribution would not be selling or forming relationships but working with a huge team of players and organzaitional red tape.