What to Look for in a Sales Person

It is proven that the most successful, best sales people have a certain je ne sais quoi; an intangible and indescribable blend of charm, intelligence, energy, and conviction. Of course, not all sales people possess these qualities (remember Willy Loman?) but it certainly helps to ensure a successful job in sales.

Finding, recruiting, and retaining the best sales people also takes talent. And this is why sales recruitment firms or executive recruitment firms can be your best ally when it comes to hiring sales reps.

The key to hiring sales reps begins knowing where to look, which is why so many employers enlist the help of headhunters and sales recruiters. Not only do these executive search firms have access to a large rolodex of contacts in very specialized industries, but they also hone in on the brightest talent in the field. Pedigree, alma mater, and sales records are all things that recruiters consider when hiring sales reps. Recruiters also make it their job to understand what you, the employer, need in a sales team. This is particularly crucial when hand selecting a sales team for a highly specialized industry. Successfully hiring sales reps also requires that you consider recruiters who provide their recruits with ongoing sales management training.

When hiring sales reps, here is something else to keep in mind; as employer, retaining sales people is only half your job. The other half of that responsibility belongs to the recruitment agency. Sales reps have the tendency to change jobs a lot, and considering that 32 percent of all sales people have been at their current job less than 12 months (and retraining and rehiring is expensive), keeping the sales reps in your ranks is so important. As such, sales headhunters also can match you with reps who can seamlessly fit into your company culture or industry.