Operational Business Executive Development Interview Questions & Answers:

1. Do you know about Technical Aptitude skills?

The person should be able to comfortably present the possible implementation of the discussed partnership at a macro level, and get the product team involved at a stage when there is a verbal agreement on terms, and implementation needs to be finalized.

2. Do you know about Strategic vs Tactical?

Maintain a balance of thinking at a macro / company level, and executing at the micro/departmental level. Should be able to follow and/or define the rules of engagement between different departments.

3. Do you know about Industry Knowledge skills?

Is the person always up-to-speed on what's going on in their particular industry? To what level of detail? Does he have an opinion on What, Why and How of the current happenings, and future possibilities related to X?

4. Can you please explain Contracts?

Should know basic legal terms, and identify red flags within T&Cs, Privacy Policies, and other legal documents.

5. Do you know about Sales skills?

Is the person able to confidently present, communicate, follow-up and do what's required to close a deal?

6. What have you learned from mistakes on this job?

Candidates without specific examples often do not seem credible. However, the example shared should be fairly inconsequential, unintentional, and a learned lesson should be gleaned from it. Moving ahead without group assistance while assigned to a group project meant to be collaborative is a good example.

7. Why do you enjoy business development?

Say that you feel that business development is the heart of a healthy businesses and it is extremely rewarding to see a business grow on the back of your decisions and actions.

8. Describe a typical work week for this position?

Interviewers expect a candidate for employment to discuss what they do while they are working in detail. Before you answer, consider the position you are applying for and how your current or past positions relate to it. The more you can connect your past experience with the job opening, the more successful you will be at answering the questions.

It should be obvious that it's not a good idea talk about non-work related activities that you do on company time, but, I've had applicants tell me how they are often late because they have to drive a child to school or like to take a long lunch break to work at the gym.
Keep your answers focused on work and show the interviewer that you're organized ("The first thing I do on Monday morning is check my voicemail and email, then I prioritize my activities for the week.") and efficient.

9. How would you identify a new market to enter?

Analysis of sales data should help to identify possible new markets. This would be followed up with some market research.

10. What have you done to improve your knowledge in the year?

Try to include improvement activities that relate to the job. A wide variety of activities can be mentioned as positive self-improvement. Have some good ones handy to mention.