Client Partner, Emerging & Scaled (German Fluency) - Spotify Interview Insights

I recently went through the interview process for the Client Partner, Emerging & Scaled (German Fluency) role at Spotify, and I want to share insights based on my experience, including the interview stages, types of questions asked, and the skills required for the role. This position focuses on driving advertising revenue and developing client relationships, particularly for Spotify’s emerging and scaled ad products like podcasts, display, and audio ads.

Interview Process Overview

1. Initial Recruiter Screening

The process begins with a conversation with a recruiter who will assess your background and motivations. In this stage, I was asked to talk about my previous sales experience, particularly in digital advertising, and how I could contribute to Spotify’s advertising growth.

Key Areas of Discussion:

• Why you want to work at Spotify and in the Emerging & Scaled sales team.
• Your experience with client-facing roles, especially in the digital advertising space.
• Your ability to sell complex ad solutions, including Spotify’s audio and display products.

Example Questions:

• “Why are you interested in Spotify, and what excites you about working in ad sales?”
• “Can you give an example of a time when you developed a strategy to close a major client deal?”

Tip: Be prepared to demonstrate your enthusiasm for Spotify’s products and how your experience in digital media can be leveraged to drive growth for Spotify.

2. First Round Interview with Hiring Manager

This round typically involves a deeper dive into your sales experience. I met with the hiring manager who assessed my approach to consultative selling and my understanding of digital advertising products.

Key Focus Areas:

• Your ability to develop a sales strategy and build relationships with clients.
• Experience in managing a sales pipeline and forecasting revenue.
• Knowledge of Spotify’s products and how to position them effectively for clients.

Example Questions:

• “How do you approach consultative selling when discussing digital advertising solutions with clients?”
• “Tell me about a time when you exceeded your sales targets. How did you achieve that?”

Tip: Prepare examples of how you’ve met or exceeded sales targets and your experience managing client relationships. Showcase your ability to sell complex, data-driven solutions.

3. Case Study/Presentation

In this stage, you may be asked to present a mock sales pitch or case study based on a hypothetical client scenario. The goal is to evaluate your ability to create strategic ad solutions for clients and pitch Spotify’s offerings in a compelling way.

Example Scenario:

You’re pitching Spotify’s advertising solutions to a brand looking to increase engagement through podcasts. How would you position Spotify’s solutions and tailor the pitch based on the client’s goals?

Tip: Focus on how Spotify’s products can deliver on the client’s KPIs, especially using podcasts and audio ads. Use data and insights to show the effectiveness of Spotify’s platform.

4. Behavioral Interview

The final stage usually involves behavioral questions to assess how you align with Spotify’s values and how you work with internal teams. This is also where they’ll evaluate your adaptability and communication skills.

Example Questions:

• “Tell me about a time when you had to manage a challenging client. How did you handle the situation?”
• “Describe a time when you collaborated with cross-functional teams to deliver a successful campaign.”

Tip: Be ready to showcase your ability to work under pressure, manage multiple stakeholders, and collaborate across teams. Spotify values teamwork, so highlighting your ability to work in a dynamic environment is key.

Key Skills and Qualities Spotify Looks For:

• Client Strategy & Consultative Selling: Spotify places a strong emphasis on selling solutions that align with the client’s business goals. You should demonstrate your ability to use insights and data to create tailored solutions.
• Ad Product Knowledge: Strong understanding of Spotify’s advertising products, especially podcasts, display ads, and audio formats, and how these can be leveraged to meet client objectives.
• Sales Pipeline Management: Ability to manage a robust sales pipeline, including business development, revenue forecasting, and achieving sales targets.
• Fluent German & English: As the role requires fluency in German, make sure you’re comfortable using both languages for client communication and reporting.
• Collaboration & Teamwork: This role involves working closely with cross-functional teams (e.g., Product, Marketing, Data), so strong collaboration skills are essential.
• Results-Oriented: You need to show a track record of meeting or exceeding sales goals and how you’ve driven revenue growth through innovative strategies.

Example Interview Questions:

Behavioral:

• “Tell me about a time when you had to navigate a challenging negotiation. How did you ensure both parties were satisfied?”
• “Describe a situation where you had to balance competing priorities and manage client expectations.”

Sales & Strategy:

• “How would you approach selling Spotify’s podcast advertising solutions to a brand that has never used audio advertising before?”
• “How do you manage multiple opportunities in your sales pipeline? What tools do you use to stay organized?”

Cultural Fit:

• “Spotify places a lot of emphasis on creativity. Can you provide an example of a creative sales strategy you’ve used to engage clients?”
• “How do you ensure a positive and collaborative working environment when dealing with cross-functional teams?”

Final Tips:

• Know the Product: Be familiar with Spotify’s entire ad product suite, especially podcasts, display ads, and programmatic offerings. Understand how these can be used to meet client goals.
• Prepare for Data-Driven Discussions: Spotify values data-driven decision-making, so be ready to discuss how you’ve used analytics to inform sales strategies.
• Highlight Your Sales Success: Use concrete examples of how you’ve exceeded sales targets and built strong client relationships in previous roles.
• Show Passion for Spotify: Spotify is a brand-driven company. Demonstrate your enthusiasm for its mission and products, especially in the ad sales space.