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Staples Business Development Associate Interview Questions & Reviews

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Web: www.staples.com | HQ: Framingham, MA

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Interview questions and reviews posted anonymously by interview candidates.

Difficulty Rating [?] Based on 6 ratings

3.5

“Difficult” Interview

Interview Experience [?] Based on 6 ratings

Positive	50%
Neutral	17%
Negative	33%

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3.0

Average Interview

Overall Positive Experience

Received and Accepted Offer

Interviewed Oct 2009 (took 3 weeks)

Initial interview was over the phone with the recruiter. The recruiter asked basic questions about my job history listed on my resume. The recruiter felt I would be a good fit for the position and passed me onto the next step in the process - a face to face with the District Sales Manager. Met with the DSM for an hour and was passed onto the next step which is an interview with the Regional Sales Director. I had an hour phone call with the RSD, covered my work history, and lastly my work ethic. The RSD was impressed with my background and skills. He had the recruiter call me the same day with an offer. I negotiated the base and quickly accepted.

Overall, a positive experience. My advice to applicants is to learn everything they can about the company and the position - basically do your research. You will be 2 steps ahead of the other applicants.

Negotiation Details

I was able to negotiate the base salary but it's important to consider the other benefits you will be receiving. I took a slightly lower base than my previous job but other benefits more than made up in additional compensation.

Other Details

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

Helpful Interview?

Yes | No

Inappropriate?

3.0

Average Interview

Overall Neutral Experience

Interviewed and No Offer

Interviewed Aug 2010 in Coppell, TX (took a day)

I had phone Interview with HR Screener; She said next interview would be with a Hiring Manager, and then with a Regional Manager; I was told the entire interview & hiring process could be 6 to 8 weeks. I was not given much hope because they had 300 applicants for 3 positions. I have a solid sales background and Business degree. The job would be a mix of inside/outside sales. Training for this position would be shadowing other employees for a couple of weeks, then formal classroom training after a month on the job, that training would only be 3-4 days. The BDA is expected to generate all of their own leads, no assistance from Staples. The BDA's mission is to persuade small to mid size companies to order all their office supplies thru Staples Advantage online. BDA doesn't have to get any contracts signed or required to sell any tangible products. Commission is based off dollar- amount of what your customers order. I felt this would be a good opportunity since Staples recently acquired Corporate Express. The projected first & second year salary is low; there is a car allowance, phone allowance, internet allowance. Just have an idea of how you would go about finding new leads; they expect a min. of 100 phone calls, 30 F2F cold calls; 10 F2F customer meetings; 4-6 follow-ups; 2-3 closes, all done each week.

Interview Questions

How would you go about generating new leads?

Answer Question

What makes you different from other Sales people?

Answer Question

Other Details

I Applied Online and the interview consisted of a Phone Interview.

Helpful Interview?

Yes | No

Inappropriate?

5.0

Very Difficult Interview

Overall Negative Experience

Interviewed and No Offer

Interviewed Jun 2010 (took 4+ weeks)

Long process consisted of initial phone interview with HR. Gave info about position and asked questions about resume. 2nd interview with hiring manager over the phone. A lot of questions about experiences, "Give me a time when...." 3rd interview with same hiring manager in person. She finished the question set that she started over the phone. This interview was basically to meet me. Got a call back to work on a presentation and a date to present to hiring managers boss. Due to weather, travel plans were cancelled and I had to reschedule. I got a call back a few days later to tell me that the hiring manager had changed and the new hiring manager would probably take off where the previous one left off. Over a week later, I contacted HR to check on the status. I got a call from new hiring manager to schedule another interview with her. During the interview with this new hiring manager I find out that she wants to re-post the position, get more applicants and I will have to go through the process all over again. I am pulling out of the running. They are seriously seriously missing out on the perfect candidate because the new hiring manager "Didn't have any input during the initial process." Control freak much? I went from a running of over 50 candidates already, 3 interviews, a personality test and had been narrowed down to me and some other candidate. I am not going through that again. Additionally, the original hiring manager seemed very experienced and seemed like a good manager to work for. The impression I got from this new manager is that she is a control freak and a stickler, someone who would not make work life enjoyable. I do not want to work for that woman.

Interview Questions

What do you know about the company? What do you know about the position? What is it about the position you like? Tell me about a time when you really enjoyed closing a deal. Tell me about a time when you had a difficult time closing a deal and what you did to overcome it?

View Answers (1)

Why do you want to work for Staples? If I hired you and you weren't meeting your quota, what would you do? Take me through a typical work week at your current position? Do you hunt new business or maintain business at your current position?

View Answers (1)

Other Details

The interview consisted of a Phone Interview, a 1:1 Interview, a Presentation and a Personality Test.

Helpful Interview?

Yes | No

Inappropriate?

3.0

Average Interview

Overall Positive Experience

Received and Accepted Offer

Interviewed Mar 2008 in Louisville, KY (took 2 weeks)

Phone interview was simple. After that you are taken through a 1:1 that is basic sales experience questions. You then have another 1:1 with the regional sales director. Nothing off the wall, it was pretty basic questions like strengths, weaknesses, motivations. Then, you are asked to give a powerpoint presentation about the company and a description of yourself and your qualities. This is to test your presentation skills.

Interview Questions

What is your greatest weakness?

Answer Question

Other Details

The interview consisted of a Phone Interview, a 1:1 Interview and a Presentation.

Helpful Interview?

Yes | No

Inappropriate?

3.0

Average Interview

Overall Positive Experience

Interviewed and No Offer

Interviewed Jan 2010 (took a day)

Phone interview lasted one hour and covered alot of detail. At the end of the call, I was being referred to the hiring manager. The hiring manager was supposed to call within 48 hours. I received an email within the 48 hour window from the HR representative that I did the phone interview with stating that they were expanding their search and would keep me in mind for a future opening.

Interview Questions

Question regarding my ranking compared to my peers at a prior position.

View Answers (1)

Other Details

I Applied Online and the interview consisted of a Phone Interview.

Helpful Interview?

Yes | No

Inappropriate?

4.0

Difficult Interview

Overall Negative Experience

Interviewed and No Offer

Interviewed Jun 2009 (took 4+ weeks)

1.) Sales Fair- Met with recruiter
2.) Phone interview with hiring manager (easy basically explained the position)
3.) 1:1 interview w/manager (roll playing a phone call, random questions - 2 hours)
4.) Ride along
5.) Interview with DM(Presentation)