Securing a job interview for a business development management position is an achievement in itself, but it’s just the beginning. Now that you’ve got a foot in the door, it’s all about what happens next.
How you present yourself, what you say, what skills you demonstrate and what potential you show are just some of the key aspects of the interview that will determine the outcome.
The good news is that there are many ways to prepare for your business development manager interview to demonstrate why you’re the best person for the job!
While you don’t need any formal qualifications to become a business development manager (although the organisation you are interviewing for may have specific academic or other requirements), the interviewer will be looking for a candidate who demonstrates a variety of skills and attributes.
In this article, we’ll take a look at the qualities of a good business development manager, what you can expect from the interview and how to best prepare for your session. We’ll also provide practical guidance and tips that will enhance your prospects of securing the position, so read right to the end!
The nature of a business manager’s job is very varied - and will differ from organisation to organisation. A business manager in the mining industry will have different tasks and responsibilities to someone in the same position in a real estate firm or in the medical field - but that said, there are certain skills and attributes that are universal to a good business development manager.
Your interviewer is likely to be looking for someone who demonstrates:
For more info, a good read is our blog on Soft Skills for Business Development Managers.
Knowledge is power. Success is when persistence meets preparation. The more I practise, the luckier I get. These quotes and sayings may be old, but the wisdom in them is as current as ever.
The more prepared you are for your interview, the greater your chances of success. From role-playing to honing your skills with a business development course, if you do the hard yards beforehand, you’ll be putting your best foot forward.
The more you know about your prospective employer, the better.
Go through their website carefully and do an online search of recent news articles to get a comprehensive understanding of what they do, the markets they operate in, their competitors etc. This will not only boost your confidence going into the interview, it will also show the interviewer that you are genuinely interested in that particular job.
As they say, you’ve got to be in it to win it. So now that you’ve secured your interview - what do you do next?
A good starting point is to look at the types of questions that the interviewer may ask. Some of these will be standard fare, whilst others may be left-field. The goal is to do your groundwork thoroughly so that you aren’t caught off guard by unexpected or tricky questions. Being able to think on your feet and make decisions calmly and rationally is another key attribute of a good business manager.
Don’t be generic. Where possible, support your answers with your real-life experiences and always be honest. A good interviewer will quickly see through any attempts to obscure the truth - so always be upfront about your skills and experience (or lack of). A good interviewer will also appreciate a willingness to learn and they will recognise potential.
In some of your answers, try and demonstrate how you would engage with prospective customers in their particular industry, communicate with teams in the different areas of their business and support the development of their specific products or services.
Remember, the prospective employer is looking for a candidate who will help their organisation achieve its business, operational and financial goals efficiently and timeously. So if you show genuine interest and can demonstrate that you have the skills (and the potential and drive for continuous learning), you’ll be giving yourself the best chance for a successful outcome of your business development manager interview.
Even if you haven’t yet secured an interview, it’s never too early to start your preparation. And a course is a great springboard for success. Check out our online business courses and gain the knowledge you need to nail that business development management interview.
There’s nothing to beat practical on-the-job experience with strong mentorship and guidance from your colleagues - but doing a course is another really good option for expanding your skills and building your expertise, your abilities and your confidence. It’s obviously crucial to choose the most appropriate one to support your career aspirations, but if you’re after a solid platform for success in the world of business development, you should check out our hands-on business development courses which offer nationally recognised qualifications.
You are in the right place! Please book a free career consultation with one of our course advisors. They will help you define your goals and match you with the skills and training that will guide you towards success.