All sales recruitment agencies will tell you that the market for top sales professionals is highly competitive. We’re in the midst of a candidates market and they know it. For companies looking to bolster their sales department, this means there is an increased chance you could lose out on great sales candidates. Other companies are lurking in the background trying to attract the same talent as you. So, you have to move quickly, engage candidates and get them to sign on before it’s too late.

Top reasons you’re losing great sales candidates during the recruiting process

We recently asked our sales recruiters to identify, based on their years of experience, the main reasons companies lose out on great sales candidates. Here is what they said:

1. You have a weaker reputation than your competitors: If you don’t have a strong employer brand, you’ll struggle to get sales talent to apply. Some poor reviews online or negative comments about your company on social media could discourage people from applying.

2. Your job description is poorly written: If you cannot engage applicants and get them excited about the role when they read the job description, you never really had them. Write original and captivating descriptions that will get people excited about the job.

3. Money: Sales professionals tend to be money motivated. If you can’t offer a competitive salary, then you’ll lose them once you start to talk about compensation. Money talks. Offer a competitive salary.

4. Unenticing commission rates and bonuses: Sales professionals want the chance to make more money based on their performance. If you don’t offer attractive performance incentives, they’ll look for a company that does.

5. You can’t provide them with the tools to succeed: Your company’s sales process, sales tools, and how you approach selling in general, will be a big consideration for sales professionals. If they don’t think they can thrive in your company environment, they’ll look elsewhere.

6. You’re not selling the job: Sales candidates tend to be good at interviews. They know all the tricks to get people interested. Trying to encourage a salesperson to take a job is just another type of sales role. So, you have to sell the job well or they won’t be motivated to work for you.

7. Your hiring process is slow: Great sales candidates will not be on the market for long. If you have a complicated and slow-moving hiring process, you’ll lose the candidate. They aren’t going to wait around. Plus, other companies are working to recruit them too.

How sales recruiters can help you close great sales candidates

Working with a sales recruiter is one of the many ways for you to improve your hiring efforts and ensure you no longer miss out on top sales talent. Our team of sales headhunters at SalesForce Search can help you dial in your hiring process – from job ads, outreach, candidate screening, interviewing, negotiating, and making offers, we can ensure you are engaging top sales candidates.

Learn more by checking out Is It Worth Hiring Sales Recruiters? Here’s What You Need to Know and 7 Qualities to Look for When Hiring a Sales Recruiter

Get more hiring advice from our sales headhunters

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SalesForce Search is a sales recruitment agency that specializes in hiring sales rockstars. Hiring top salespeople is tough. Only 55% meet their quota. Our proactive approach recruits talented salespeople before they hit the market. As North America’s leading sales headhunter we recruit salespeople in every sector of the economy including, software, manufacturing, financial services and medical devices. To find your next sales rockstar, start your search here.