Finding the right salespeople is always a challenge for American companies. When talking about young and inexperienced jobseekers, this problem becomes critical. College graduates and young professionals have all the qualities that today’s salespeople need. Catching such applicants before others become your employees demands an adjustment in recruiting methods.
Forget About Common Hiring Practices
Some hiring managers rely on such criteria as graduating from reputable universities and having a GPA of 4.0. Yet, such qualities as a desire to learn and flexibility can be missed. The perfect applicant can prove that they cannot bear rejection. Therefore, pay close attention to the hidden qualities of potential employees.
Important Traits of Sales Talent
Coachability
This means being open-minded to any type of criticism and using it as an opportunity to develop one’s skills. In an interview, you can request a candidate to conduct a role play, and provide them with feedback after that.
Ability to Overcome Rejection
Working in sales means hearing no most of the time. Choose those people who have been able to cope with failures and rejections. Their experience in personal or academic failures proves that these candidates are able to demonstrate the same level of resistance at work.
Excellent Communication Skills
Talking to someone is only half the battle. A good speaker should be able to listen. Observe the candidate while they answer your questions. Pay close attention to how carefully the individual follows you when answering.
Proactivity
The best salespeople are those who take actions themselves. They are constantly looking for ways to meet their goals and come up with interesting solutions. Candidates who followed you in the process of conducting interviews prove that they have such qualities as initiative and proactivity.
Curiosity and Desire to Understand How Things Work
Your salesperson should be able to understand your products and their advantages and disadvantages for buyers. Such people are eager to understand everything about you and your company. Asking questions about your company and your products is what you need to observe in potential candidates.
Innovative Recruiting Methods for Newbies
College Relationships and Recruitment Campaigns
When building relations with local colleges and universities, you will be able to find young people who have a potential to succeed in sales. Supporting such events as guest lectures at universities will also help to increase your popularity among future applicants.
Internet Resources and Social Networking
Today’s young professionals are active users of different social networks. Contacting young people via Facebook and LinkedIn will give you access to such valuable qualities as understanding of how personal brands work. SDR and BDR recruiting specialists can assist you in finding potential applicants by contacting them through social media resources.
Internship Programs
A one-month internship in your firm is one of the easiest ways to evaluate a person’s qualities. Not only does such experience give you a better impression about the candidate but also helps the individual to feel comfortable working in your company.
Take Control of Your Company’s Future Success
Evaluating applicants’ traits is the key to success in recruiting young salespeople. Coaching ability and curiosity should be evaluated in candidates. Attract such candidates with internship programs. Finally, remember that you can find such employees faster with help from specialized recruiters.