Sales recruiting seems like it can be a difficult job. The stakes can seem high because the risk of making the wrong hiring decision could be serious. But, believe it or not, sales recruiting doesn’t have to be a big headache for you or your company. In fact, sales recruiting can even be fun and effective at the same time. Here are some tips you can implement to make this necessary task more successful and less difficult.
Any effort is difficult when you are not exactly sure of what your desired outcome will be. Just as you would not build a house without a blueprint, you also would not want to hire new sales people with a vague notion of the ideal candidate. Taking the time to refine the ideal sales person for your organization is an essential part of your sales recruiting effort. Once you have an idea in mind of the type of employee you want to recruit, the more you can focus your energy on finding such a person.
Unless you have been living under a rock, you have probably at least heard about the widespread reach of social media. Today, social media platforms are one of the very best ways to extend your sales recruiting efforts to reach more potential candidates. Your efforts will likely be more successful if you cast a broad net, so you should utilize multiple social media sites like LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook. Each of these three platforms also have the option to create specialized groups based on particular interests, so it may be useful to your sales recruiting to participate in or create such a group.
No matter how common and effective social media tools may be, they still can’t replace the benefits of real life, face to face contact. This more personal form of networking remains an important tool in your arsenal of recruitment tactics. You can look for potential new sales candidates at events like industry groups, public speaking groups like Toastmasters and even through your local chamber of commerce. Sales recruiting should always naturally occur while you are networking.
Sponsoring local events isn’t just a great way to generate good publicity for your company and garner good will in your community, it’s also a good sales recruiting tactic. Consider sponsorship of a local team as a way to attract new recruits. You may also want to consider sponsoring a fun community outing that will bring in a diverse cross section of community members, many of whom may be looking for their next opportunity.
Perhaps one of the best and most natural events to sponsor would be an educational and informational seminar for sales people, ideally in your industry. The seminar will help you attract the kind of candidates who are focused on remaining sharp and active in their field, and it makes them a captive audience to learn more about working for your business. Community colleges may also welcome guest instructors, which could help you find additional new recruits.
Claire has 4+ years of experience in sales and recruitment. As a Director of Client Services, her main objective is to connect great people to great companies by building strong relationships with both top clients and candidates in the sales industry. She specializes in sales roles of all seniority levels for both enterprise and start-up clients North American wide. When Claire isn't networking with top talent, she enjoys being outdoors, traveling and spending time with friends & family.