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Pioneer Search Group | August 2020 Updates

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matt@pioneersearchgroup.com
david@pioneersearchgroup.com
(616) 742-1505

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Top Skills Account Executives Need and How to Assess Them

Account executives play a crucial role in an organization because they support existing clients, enabling client accounts to grow over time and become more profitable. Great account executives have specific hard and soft skills. Behavioral-based interview questions can help hiring managers assess talent and narrow in on candidates who have the communication and leadership skills necessary to succeed in as an account executive.

What Are the Top Skills Needed?
Account executives need excellent communication and interpersonal skills. They spend most of their time strengthening relationships with clients. They lay the groundwork that ensures clients commit to the company long-term. In addition, they need the following skills:

  • Active listening skills – Account executives need to be able to discern clients needs and deliver solutions.

  • Creativity and organization – They juggle several client accounts at the same time and must be able to meet strict deadlines.

  • Leadership – They need to make quick, strategic decisions and must be decisive and adaptable.

  • Analytical skills – They collect data about the industry and about clients, which informs many of the decisions they make.

How Should Hiring Managers Assess Those Skills?
Behavioral-based interview questions are effective to assess account executive candidates because they can evaluate the soft skills that are needed to succeed. These types of questions are open-ended and allow you to assess how candidates react to difficult situations, solve problems, and overcome obstacles. “Describe a time you had to perform a task outside of your typical job description?” is an example of behavior-based question.

It is a good idea to ask candidates to demonstrate times when they showed initiative in developing a new skill or making a time-sensitive decision. Questions like this allow you to assess both their leadership ability and their potential for growth. When you know how candidates behaved in past jobs, you can predict how they will behave in the role they are interviewing for.

Account executives support clients, gain their loyalty, and ensure client accounts prosper. When you’re hiring talent, you can’t afford to settle. Look for candidates with exceptional communication, leadership, and interpersonal skills. Behavioral-based interview questions can help you evaluate critical soft skills that are necessary to succeed.

Interested In Learning More?

Featured Opportunities

At Pioneer Search Group, we understand a change in your career or employment is a huge decision and if you’re going to make a move it has to be the right one. We use the old-fashioned method of getting to know the people involved and we can’t do that with an automated computer search. For us to properly advise you on your next career move, we need to get to know you.

National Account role with major lift truck OEM.

  • Remote

  • Client company is a Global supplier of Sate-of-the Art Material Handling Automation Systems OEM selling through Systems Integrators into the end-user.

  • 3-5 Years in Material Handling Automation Sales

  • Ability to network, and generate leads, do presentations in front of large C-level supply chain executives within Fortune 500 companies.

  • Great career track

Sales Manager for a major equipment dealer in Atlanta

  • You would be responsible to manage 6-8 new equipment sales people

  • The company has a strong foothold within the Southeast and there is a lot of opportunity to move up inside of the organization

Are you currently successful in your material handling / automation career but looking for a career change? Let’s talk!

Apply For These Roles
Considering a Career Change?

Featured Candidate

Project Manager out of a major Material Handling Systems OEM

  • Expert in systems implementation

  • Certified PMP and PE

  • Degreed Engineer with an MBA

  • Background managing large systems projects

Contact For More Information

About Pioneer Search Group

We recruit the old fashioned way. That’s what makes us different. We use a personalized selection process to match individuals with employers. We are skilled recruiters who know how to find someone who isn’t necessarily looking for a new opportunity. Know what you’re looking for in an employee? We’ll find it!

pioneersearchgroup.com | 616-742-1505

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Ready for a Career Change?

Pioneer Search Group, 500 Cascade West Parkway, Suite 170, East Grand Rapids, MI 49506, United States

  • Grand Rapids, MICHIGAN

  • 616.742.1505

  • matt@pioneersearchgroup.com

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AREAS OF EXPERTISE
  • Material Handling
  • Oil and Gas
  • Power Generation
  • Packaging Machinery
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