Getting hired at a fast-growing tech startup like Gong is no easy feat. With its revenue intelligence software taking the sales world by storm Gong has become one of the hottest companies to work for. As a result Gong’s interview process is rigorous.
To help you ace your Gong interview, I’ve compiled the 15 most common Gong interview questions candidates get asked. These questions touch on Gong’s core values, understanding of the sales process, and problem-solving abilities.
1. What attracted you to Gong?
This is one of the most frequently asked Gong interview questions. Interviewers want to know why you want to work specifically for Gong. They want to see that you care about the business and what they do.
To ace this do your research on Gong. Understand their core values and mission. Talk about how you align with their values and are excited by their product. Show genuine enthusiasm for the company.
2. How would you sell Gong?
Gong loves hiring salespeople who deeply understand their product. With this question, they want to see your sales skills in action.
Explain Gong’s key benefits like conversation intelligence, quantifying team performance, and accelerating revenue. Use analogies and paint a vision of how Gong transforms sales processes. Share a story of a customer whose business would be revolutionized by Gong.
3. How do you stay up-to-date on the sales industry?
Gong is obsessed with sales expertise. This question reveals whether you actively enrich your sales knowledge.
To impress, discuss sales books you’ve read, podcasts you listen to, blogs and communities you participate in. Demonstrate you are dedicated to continuously elevating your selling skills.
4. Tell me about a time you strongly disagreed with a manager. How did you handle it?
Gong wants problem solvers who voice their opinions respectfully. Share a story that highlights your critical thinking, communication skills, and emotional intelligence.
Explain your thought process, how you presented your disagreement, and reached a solution. Show you can challenge ideas without being combative.
5. What metrics do you track in sales? How do you use them?
Data reigns supreme at Gong. This interview question evaluates your data fluency.
Discuss metrics like quota attainment, pipeline growth, activity levels, win rate, deal size, customer health scores. Explain how you analyze metrics to gain insights and make strategic decisions.
6. What separates the best salespeople from average ones?
With this question, Gong wants to hear your philosophy on sales excellence.
Share traits like work ethic, critical thinking, emotional intelligence, creativity, attention to detail, adaptability. Use examples of how top performers demonstrate these traits daily. Show deep thought on the sales craft.
7. Tell me about a time you lost a deal. Why did you lose, and what did you learn?
Don’t be afraid to share losses. Gong wants to see you can learn from failure.
Explain the competitive dynamics, objections you faced, and mistakes you made. Share tactical lessons on better positioning, objection handling, resource allocation. Show maturity in extracting insights from losses.
8. How do you onboard new sales reps?
Gong wants team players who can coach others. Outline an onboarding program focused on product training, shadowing, roleplaying, reviews, and goal setting.
Emphasize enablement resources like Gong to accelerate ramp time. Share onboarding principles like focusing on fundamentals first and getting hands-on selling experience quickly.
9. Why should we hire you?
This classic question requires you to advocate for yourself. Distill your pitch down to 2-3 key points showing you are a phenomenal fit.
Highlight standout strengths and accomplishments that align to the role. Share a unique skill or experience no other candidate will have. Be confident but humble.
10. Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
Gong wants driven team members in it for the long haul. Convey you see yourself growing with Gong over the next 5 years through expanded responsibility, leadership roles, or pioneering new initiatives.
Discuss how you want to advance Gong’s mission through roles in management, training, sales engineering, marketing, customer success, etc.
11. What are your salary expectations?
Do your research beforehand on Gong’s compensation structure and norms. Provide a reasonable range based on the position, your experience, and market data.
Be flexible, and indicate you look forward to discussing salary in more detail later once you fully understand the role’s responsibilities.
12. What questions do you have for me?
Gong wants people with natural curiosity. Ask thoughtful questions on leadership philosophy, mentorship opportunities, product roadmap, team dynamics, culture, etc.
This shows excitement about the company and role. Jot down customized questions for each interviewer based on their background.
13. Sell me this pen.
A classic mock sales pitch, this tests your ability to improvise and highlight product strengths under pressure.
Ask probing questions to understand my needs. Get creative highlighting benefits – durability, smooth writing, cost effectiveness, portability. Use analogies, tell stories, utilize trial closes. Have fun with it!
14. Pitch a new product idea.
Gong wants independent thinkers who take initiative. Innovate on the fly by envisioning a new Gong product that solves a sales pain point.
Explain the problem it addresses, key features, and benefits. Get into specifics like intended user persona, pricing model, and go-to-market strategy.
15. Why do you want to leave your current job?
Always stay positive about past employers. Instead, focus on seeking new challenges to grow, exposure to new industries, technologies, and methodologies.
Discuss why Gong is the next logical step in your career progression. Share your passion for Gong’s mission and products. Keep the conversation future-focused.
Key Takeaways
Preparing thoughtful answers to these common Gong interview questions will help you stand out. Demonstrate you embody Gong’s values like innovative thinking, sales expertise, drive, and teamwork. Show authentic excitement for the company. Sell your ability to immediately contribute.
Magic Bullet Sales Interview Questions
- Didn’t prepare, and
- Can’t control a conversation
Would you be willing to do a mock sales call with me right now?
“Why do you say that?” they will calmly ask.
Sales Discovery Call Master Class: 7 Tips for Developing Buyer Pain
FAQ
Why should we hire you?
What is the best answer for “Tell me about yourself”?
How to sell a pen in an interview?