6 Key Strategies to Match the Right Salesperson with Your Team

When recruiting for sales roles, finding the right fit is important. You need someone who has the knowledge, experience, and attitude necessary to achieve your company’s goals. Insights from Sales Xceleration's State of Sales data reveal 96% of companies struggle with sales organization (staffing, hiring, roles and responsibilities). To make sure you hire the best person for the job, here are 6 key strategies to consider during your recruiting process.

1. Develop A Target Candidate Profile

Before searching for potential candidates, take some time to create a target profile. This should include the necessary qualifications and skills that you’re looking for in a candidate. Consider the kind of experience and knowledge they should have as well as the interpersonal skills needed to be successful within your organization. Documenting the necessary must-haves for a potential candidate is crucial to finding the perfect fit for your open position. Once your profile is built, you should use it to qualify all candidates against it.

2. Leverage Your Professional Network

Using professional networks to identify potential candidates is an effective recruiting strategy. Reach out to any industry contacts you have and inquire about qualified individuals who may be looking for new opportunities. You can also use sites like LinkedIn or Glassdoor to search for specific skills and qualifications that match your target profile.

3. Create A Comprehensive Interview Process

The interview process is one of the most important steps in recruiting for sales roles. Make sure you are asking the right questions to assess a candidate’s qualifications and skillset. Asking open-ended questions about their experience and how it relates to the role you are recruiting for will allow you to gain a better understanding of the application of the candidates skills and experience in various situations. Dive deeper by inquiring about the candidate’s professional goals and why they are looking to change paths.

4. Establish Clear Communication

Communication is key when recruiting for sales roles. It’s important to provide potential candidates with enough information about the job and company so that they can make an informed decision. Ensure your recruiting process offers a clear timeline, details of the role, and expectations from the start.

5. Follow Up References

Before making any final decisions, consider following up with references provided. This is an effective way to gain valuable insight into their work ethic and attitude. Contacting former employers or colleagues can help you assess whether a candidate will have the necessary experience to be successful in your organization.

6. Onboarding Your New Hire

Securing the right candidate for your sales team is only the beginning. A successful onboarding process is instrumental in setting up your new hire for success, ensuring they are well-integrated into the team and fully prepared to tackle their responsibilities.

Insights from Sales Xceleration's State of Sales data reveal 57% of companies lack a structured sales rep onboarding process, and 29% of companies only train their new hires for one week before sending them out into the field. This highlights a significant gap in preparing sales professionals to excel in their roles, underscoring the need for organizations to develop more comprehensive and supportive onboarding programs to truly unlock the potential of their sales force.

The Bottom Line

Securing the perfect sales candidate is crucial for your company's success. By following these 6 strategies, sales leaders can ensure they are recruiting and hiring the best candidates who will not only fit well with your team, but also drive your company towards achieving its goals.

At Amplify Recruiting, we understand finding top performers is a challenge. If you’d like help hiring the right candidate, the first time, contact us today.