5 Golden Rules for Hiring a Sales Representative
Do you want to know the secret to growing your company’s sales? It’s shockingly simple: hiring a sales representative is the only step you need to take if you’re looking to boost your sales.
The hiring process can be tricky, especially for a specialized position like sales. Luckily, there are a few steps you can take that make it much easier to hire the right person for your sales position.
Keep reading to learn five great tips for hiring a sales representative that will be an asset to your company.
1. Know When to Hire
Knowing when to hire sales representatives is half the battle. Hiring a new employee isn’t always a good choice, especially if you’re a small business that can’t support an expanded workforce.
If your company is expanding–or if your current salespeople aren’t performing well–it’s probably a good time to hire some new blood. It’s also smart to hire when introducing new products or courting new customers.
2. Write a Detailed Job Description
You should be writing clear, concise job postings no matter what position you’re hiring for, but it’s especially crucial when hiring salespeople. They need to know what kind of products you sell and what your sales process is like.
If a sales representative for hire can’t find basic information about your position (such as your pay rate, quotas, and a full list of duties), they won’t have any reason to apply.
3. Be Prepared for Interviews
Candidates know to prepare for interviews ahead of time, but employers often forget that they need to prepare, too. It’s important to cultivate a good list of questions to ask in an interview.
Salespeople need to be confident and charming, so pay attention to how the candidates answer their questions (in addition to the answers themselves).
4. Assess Potential
Everyone has to start somewhere; your pool of applicants will likely include people with no sales experience. This shouldn’t automatically disqualify them from consideration.
Pay attention to certain factors when interviewing inexperienced candidates. Are they curious and client-focused? Do they seem interested in challenging and improving themselves?
If so, they may have the makings of a great salesperson!
5. Maintain Engagement
It’s not enough to know how to choose a sales representative–you also need to convince the salesperson that they should choose you. Get the candidate interested in your company and keep them engaged.
Emphasize the benefits you can offer: higher pay, vacation time, good insurance, and so on. Contact promising candidates quickly after their interview so they don’t start looking elsewhere.
Hiring a Sales Representative Just Got Easier
Hiring a sales representative can seem like a daunting task, but it doesn’t have to be. By setting clear hiring goals, preparing for interviews, and engaging with your best candidates, you can find the best sales representative for your company.
With the right salespeople, you can expand your brand and reach new audiences. Just follow the steps above and you’ll find the perfect salespeople to help your business succeed.
Once you’ve upgraded your sales force, what’s the next step to improving your company? Visit our business blog for more advice on how to grow your brand!
