Searching for a new role, much like house hunting in London this can be an extremely daunting task, and this is especially true in Sales.
With tools like LinkedIn Easy Apply and AI software, many roles receive hundreds of applications within a matter of days. This means it can be almost impossible to stand out and differentiate yourself from other candidates. Even when you do get the opportunity to interview for roles, navigating the interview process presents various challenges and can leave you feeling overwhelmed and unsure of your next move.
Having spent the last three years working in recruitment and having placed over 150 candidates across sectors, I have begun to piece together a guide on how to pick the right next step for you!
Below, I have included three of the most important tips for finding your next sales role:
- Identify What You Want: The most important thing is to identify what you want from your next role. This may sound simple, but you would be staggered by how many candidates enter the interview process unsure of what they want from their next opportunity. This can take many forms, but it is paramount that you spend time understanding what matters to you and what you can compromise on.
- OTE (On-Target Earnings): Understanding what an achievable and realistic OTE looks like in the role is crucial. This means understanding everything about the commission structure, discovering how realistic the targets are, and how the current sales team is performing. The best companies will be completely transparent throughout the recruitment process and will have nothing to hide about what a realistic OTE looks like. If the company you are interviewing with isn't forthcoming with this information, it may be a serious red flag, and it might be time to dig a little deeper.
- KPIs and Probation: So, you have finally found the perfect sales role, but by month six, you find yourself unable to get near the target and struggling to keep up with KPIs. The next thing you know, you are back on the hunt for a new role. This is a situation no one wants to find themselves in, so how do you avoid it? Firstly, find out what the targets are during the interview process and how the team is performing against them. Also, it is important to be honest about your own performance in previous roles. If you enter the interview process having hyperinflated your sales figures, don’t be surprised if your next employer expects that sort of performance. Misleading hiring managers does no one any favours!
This is intended as a short snapshot of how to navigate the sales job market. For anyone wanting to connect, share learnings, or get more information, I'd love the chance to speak further. Feel free to book some time in here: https://calendly.com/ben-partridge/30min
