Hiring sales staff is probably one of the trickiest things any business owner can do. Your sales staff are the face of your company. They carry your company name to the world. You want to hire the best sales people possible, to present your company in the best light possible. 

Doing that is a tricky business, and there’s no guarantee that you will get it right every time. I can, however, tell you about the 5 best sales people I have interviewed. 

1. The Listener

Often, salespeople like to talk. A lot. However, one of the best salespeople I have ever interviewed talked a lot less than usual, but listened with incredible intensity. Sometimes, saying less, and hearing more about what your customer needs or wants makes all the difference. 

2. The Passionate Sales Professional

Another one of the best salespeople I have ever interviewed was one who already had a passion for the industry. Their excitement and enthusiasm about the business was like an internal light, and it was impossible to ignore. That’s the kind of person you want out there, evangelizing for your company!

3. The Expert

The best salespeople aren’t always the ones with quick wit, or even the funniest or most charming. Sometimes, particularly in a very specialized or technical field, you want someone who knows everything there is to know about your product, service or industry. There’s nothing that impresses and reassures a customer more than someone who really knows their stuff!

4. The Determined Hunter

Interestingly enough, one of the very best salespeople I have interviewed, and hired, was one that didn’t have a lot of sales experience at all. However, they were willing to start at the bottom, learn with intensity, and had the kind of determination and persistence that makes all the difference between an okay sales person and a great one. 

5. The Relationship Builder

A common thread among really great sales people is that they tend to really connect with their customers. They understand them, and speak the same language. Any sales professional will tell you that buying is an emotional decision, and that relationships are key. If you’re looking to hire a sales person, one who has built great relationships in past roles is a great choice for your team. 

Of course there are other traits you want your sales people to have. The best salespeople are also hard workers, and they’re great communicators. They’re tough negotiators, and they’re go getters. 

The truth is, however, that great sales people are made – not born. If you can build a team that shares the traits on this list of the five best salespeople I’ve ever hired, then your team is off to a great start! Keep building on their skills, keep them focused on your customers, and you should find that they take your business from strength to strength.