Handshake Account Executive Interview Questions
& Process
Real candidates share what happened, how many rounds they had,
and how the experience turned out.
Based on 22 interview experiences · FREE TO READ
Candidate interview experiences
First-hand accounts from people who interviewed at Handshake.
Handshake
Account Executive
Mid Average Positive experience Accept offer 5 rounds
Interview process
Recruiter call Phone screen Group Presentation Panel Background check Offer
Interview formats
Behavioral Presentation Technical
I went through a recruiter screen, then interviewed with the hiring manager, followed by a peer of the hiring manager. After that, I did a mock discovery presentation, and wrapped up with an executive interview. The whole thing took about two weeks. The stages were well-designed to test my skills, experience, and if I’d fit in. Everyone was nice and seemed interested in me, which shows the company culture. The recruiter, Luke Losin, was great about keeping me updated and making sure I had a good experience.
Confirmed questions1 question
- Be ready to discuss your previous quotas and how well you hit them.
Handshake
Enterprise Account Executive
Mid Average Negative experience No offer 3 rounds
Interview process
Recruiter call Phone screen Technical screen
Interview formats
Behavioral Technical
I had a first call with the Talent Manager which was great. Then I had two calls with RVPs, one of whom was great and seemed like a good manager. The other RVP was the hiring manager and was kind of aloof and hard to impress. These were back-to-back 45-minute Zoom interviews. Both interviewers were really focused on just checking off questions from a list rather than getting to know me or letting me get to know them. It felt very one-sided. The hiring manager didn't manage her time well, so I didn't get to ask any questions, which is ironic because she gave feedback that I wasn't managing my time well. This role is a hunter role with no strategic selling, and I found out the average sale is only $40-70k, and then you hand it off. Even if I liked the hiring manager, I wouldn't have taken the job because these roles seem better for junior reps and have high burnout/turnover.
Confirmed questions3 questions
- Be aware that the interviewers have a list of questions they need to get through and that's their priority. If they don't manage their time well, you won't get your questions answered.
- You could tell they were having trouble fitting all the questions into the 45 minutes.
- The process is too structured and doesn't allow for natural conversation.
Handshake
Account Executive
Entry Easy Negative experience No offer 2 rounds
Interview process
Recruiter call Phone screen
Interview formats
Behavioral Other
The company has a long way to go in terms of interviews and screening. The initial interviews feel so impersonal where they're just collecting information and it's obvious. Why would I put in in effort in a phone screen to work for a company that doesn't care to get to know me as a potential future employee? It's just low quality recruiters. If this company really wants to thrive in the future, they need better recruiters who can have real conversations in understand a candidate's match to a role.
Confirmed questions1 question
- Can you tell me about why you left your previous company?
Handshake Account Executive Interview Questions
Quoted word for word from Handshake interview reports.
“Can you explain how you establish a budget for a deal?”
Read reports →“Can you describe a complete deal cycle?”
Read reports →“Tell me about a sales cycle you didn't win.”
Read reports →“What are your ideas for providing value right away?”
Read reports →“Will there be a presentation as part of the interview?”
Read report →“How do you go about prioritizing your time and the accounts you focus on?”
Read report →“Share an example of your resilience in the face of adversity.”
Read report →“Can you tell me about your past losses?”
Read report →“What were the key issues in that lost sale, and what did you learn to do better?”
Read report →Formats, difficulty and experience
Across all 22 Handshake interview reports.