You’re ready to hire and grow your star sales team. But what are the best sales candidates saying about the job hunt in 2023, and how can you make sure your sales hiring process shines a positive light on your company?
As the pendulum swings and returns to a market with more candidates and fewer jobs, sales managers have even more options when searching for their next sales star.
Here are the three things great salespeople want to see when interviewing with your organization.
1. Salespeople want quicker decisions
You’ve found a star. When the candidate’s resume slid across your desk last month, you were sold on their experience. And, when you brought them in for their first interview two weeks later, you knew they were the perfect fit. Now, you’re ready to reach out with an offer.
What if you pick up the phone to deliver the exciting news only to discover your perfect candidate has already accepted another job offer? According to many of the salespeople we work with at Hire Me A Salesperson, companies are taking too long to move candidates through the sales hiring process.
Stand out from the crowd and showcase the responsiveness your next great sales hire can expect when they work with you by creating an efficient hiring process. And, if you anticipate longer wait times, make sure the candidate understands your projected timeline in your first conversation.
2. They’re looking for efficiency over bureaucracy
From the candidate reaching out through LinkedIn to their first interview with your sales leader, their second interview with HR and third and fourth panel interviews, every touchpoint along your sales hiring process is an opportunity to sell the sales candidate on your company. But are you?
Before you hire your next great salesperson, ask yourself: Does your sales hiring process show efficiency or bureaucracy? Instead of having too many hurdles between the first phone call and the offer, look for ways to streamline your hiring process. Great salespeople will be able to sell you on themselves quickly.
If your company structure requires several panel interviews with the department heads, make sure your candidate knows why. By educating the potential new sales hire about why they need to meet Bob in Omaha and Jess from HR, you can help them leave that fourth panel interview with a positive image of your brand.
3. Candidates expect you to follow up, even if they didn’t get the job
After weeks of interviews and looking at resumes, you’ve found the right person for the job and extended an offer. But, before you move on to the bright future you’ve created for your sales team, it’s important to follow up with every candidate you interviewed.
Win, lose or draw, someone from your organization should call the candidates who didn’t get the job. Great salespeople are competitive and want to know why they lost. Provide feedback, but most importantly, preserve the person’s dignity. By being open and honest, you can shine a positive light on your company and brand even when you decide to go in another direction.
Ready to create a sales hiring process that attracts the right salespeople and sells your company as a great place to work? At Hire Me A Salesperson, our team has more than 50 years of combined experience recruiting, hiring and managing salespeople and sales teams. Schedule a free hiring process review today or call us at 1-888-966-2284 to learn more.