Sales recruiters hire the best because they know how to spot the “it” factor.
You’ve noticed it haven’t you? Maybe it happened when you are watching a movie and you saw an unknown actor shine past a mediocre script or bit part.
Or perhaps it was a sports event where you witnessed sheer greatness on the field.
And you know. They have IT. That sets them apart so much, you just know they are going to be on the fast track to stardom.
Well, recruiters have the same ability to spot talented candidates. It’s not as mysterious as it sounds. Keep reading to discover our tips and recruiting strategies so you can find sales professionals who have “it”.
How Sales Recruiters Find Rock Stars
When it comes to sales team members, the same holds true. You want sales rock stars who shine like searchlights on a dark night.
Great.
So how do you do that?
Simple. You take a page from the sales recruiting playbook and ruthlessly screen for it. You deliberately look for specific markers and traits using a strategic methodology that separates the proverbial wheat from the chaff. Certain mindset and behavioral traits are common in high performing sales team members.
Like great home cooked meals, the goodness has to be baked right in. If a sales candidate doesn’t already possess these characteristics, you can’t add them. They either have it or they don’t.
How to Screen Candidates Like a Sales Recruiter
1. Know what you are really looking for
- Empathy and problem-solving skills
- A talent for communicating in a way that captivates
- The ability to listen with genuine interest and rapt attention
- Sales rock stars are focused on retaining customers as much as they are finding new ones
- An ability to follow proven systems
Top performers also know the lifetime value of an established customer is only as good as the front-line interactions they promote. Each sales person has to continuously nurture and build upon existing relationships to grow your company.
Weave those qualities into your job description. That way your potential candidates know your expectations when they read the job posting.
2. Remember all sales occur on a human level
Selling is more than being able to rattle off the spiffy features and benefits of a product or service. It really comes down to an ability to intuit the underlying needs of your customers and clients. It comes down to a drive to understand real-world issues and challenges at a deep level. That means that empathy is one of the first high-value traits that you need to look for during your hiring process.
3. Update your hiring strategies and screen for greatness
To find real potential, sales recruiters will say you need to actively look for it. One good way to discover if a sales candidate has the right stuff is to update your hiring strategies so you’re using behavioral testing alongside role playing.
Use the interview process to deep dive into job seekers’ experiences
Another is to directly ask the candidate about specific times in the past when they solved a problem. They should be able to identify what the issue was and explain how their solution not only made the sale, but truly solved the customer’s problem.
You can also set up scenarios drawn from previous events that you or your sales team actually encountered. Relate the problem and ask them how they would have responded and why. You want to see how they think and approach a challenge.
Sales Recruiters Pro Tip: Great Interviews Aren’t the “It” Factor
Just because a sales candidate has a persuasive interview does not mean they are locked and loaded for success. They could be selling you and lack the skills and experience you need for the position.
Our recruiting services will find you salespeople who really have the “it” factor
If you want sales candidates that can perform their duties with the agility of circus acrobats, you need to test, screen, and assess for it. We can do it for you.
ProActivate is a full-service talent acquisition company
When you work with us, you get passive candidates who are working and winning. They have it.
To learn more about hiring the best and upgrading the rest, be sure to contact ProActivate about recruiting services today. Employers can reach out to us or call 833-698-1135.
