One of the most common conundrums within the business world is where to find good sales people.  For some, the very notion of interviewing for sales positions turns their stomachs due to the unenviable task at hand as droves of under qualified non-producers make their presence felt.  Sales people, for the most part, are born, not made, and finding those diamonds in the rough is not a simple assignment.  But, simple or not, there are stones yet unturned where you can find the go-getter your company needs and yearns for.  

Some of the best places to look for your next sales superstar may appear unlikely recruiting spots but they will unveil quality results.  Some may call this “non-traditional recruiting” but, lets face it, sales people are often found to be anything but normal.  

Hobbies

One trait found in many of the best sales people is a fondness for expensive hobbies.  More than just a weekend enthusiast, you are looking for the person that fixates on their passion.  Find an habitual skier with a yearning to travel the worlds most majestic mountains and you’ve found a person with the motivation to earn the commissions necessary to do so.  A classic car collector is a person that has already had some success to finance his hobby and is willing to do the work for more. Some other expensive hobbies to explore:

• Boaters, scuba divers, and deep sea fishermen
• Collectors of items such as watches, jewelry, and the finest fashions
• Motorcycle enthusiasts and competitive bikers

Social Spots

Another common attribute of the best sales performers is a yearning for social interaction and a penchant for manipulating those situations to their benefit.  They are trained to steer conversations and gain the confidence of customers and their social life is often no different.  But finding a prospective sales person for your company is much more than just picking out people at a bar.  You want to find the people that exude salesmanship successfully in those social settings.  Some of the best settings to investigate include:

• Clubhouse settings at golf and country clubs
• Night clubs and trendy bars
• Parks and neighborhood gatherings
• Sporting events

These may not be the most conventional places to look for prospective sales people but the characteristics you find in the best sales professionals can easily be found there.  Additionally, these tactics can also be applied to your more traditional recruiting.  Look within your own organization for employees that demonstrate these traits.  Your next sales superstar may be a shoe collector in accounting that entertains coworkers with stories of her adventurous social life.