Most companies look for new hires who have plenty of related job experience, but listen to how the candidate answers to determine whether they would be a good fit for the role. Pay attention to how they discuss their problem-solving skills and consider if their approach can suit your company’s needs. What to look for in an answer:

• Experience with a structure similar to your company’s
• At least a few years of applicable experience
• Willingness to learn new things and adapt

This is a good way to learn more about your potential candidate’s degree of expertise. Not only do you get a feel for the types of responsibilities that they can handle, but you’ll also find out how they managed different tasks. A good way to plan for their future with your company is to listen for responses about specific software they used that allowed them to stay on top of their workload. What to look for in an answer:

• Experience with planning and management software
• Initiative in managing relations with sellers
• Organizational skills for their position

Difficult situations always arise during the buying process. Sometimes, the sellers run into a problem with their stock, or negotiations might become challenging. Regardless of what happens, it is always a good idea for your potential candidate to be prepared. When you ask them about a difficult situation that they were able to resolve by going the extra mile, you learn about their character as an employee. What to look for in an answer:

• Willingness to negotiate in a difficult situation
• Ability to work with multiple sellers
• Plans for any future contingency

In addition to understanding how your potential buyer deals with challenges, it’s also useful to learn about their success stories. Sometimes, these may not arise from a particularly difficult situation but rather one where your candidate showed an exceptional degree of responsibility. The story that the applicant chooses to share with you can one day be a reflection on your company. What to look for in an answer:

• No hesitation about sharing success stories
• An understanding of the reasons for that success
• Motivation to help their company succeed

In general, the more qualified the candidate is, the better the professional future that you can look forward to from them. When your buyer has plenty of relevant credentials, you know that they’re committed to their profession and in it for the long run. A desirable candidate should have experience in negotiating and making smart buying decisions. What to look for in an answer:

• Elective training in buying
• Ability to flourish in a fast-paced environment
• Formal education in accounting, business or other similar fields

Buyers are responsible for selecting the right merchandise that aligns with their employer's brand and customer needs. This question allows interviewers to gauge a candidate's professional experience and ability to make changes based on customer demand. A candidate's answer should emphasize:

• Keen attention to detail
• Problem-solving skills
• Previous professional experience