When it comes time to recruit new people in the sales industry, it can be a daunting task to ensure you get the best talent on offer. Finding individuals with the correct skills, drive, and personality to excel in a competitive environment can be challenging. Avoiding recruitment pitfalls is important to building a successful sales team which can help your company to excel. Here are some key mistakes to steer clear of:

Ignoring Soft Skills

Experience and industry knowledge are important factors, however, simultaneously overlooking certain soft skills can be more detrimental than people realise. Aspects such as effective communication, resilience, problem-solving ability, and relationship-building skills are crucial for success in sales.

Rushing the Process

Even in difficult times, a rushed recruitment process often leads to hasty decisions and in turn sometimes the wrong hires. When recruiting new employees, make sure to take the time to thoroughly screen and assess candidates, conduct multiple interviews and involve relevant stakeholders to ensure a thorough evaluation of each candidate.

Overemphasizing Experience

While previous sales experience is valuable, solely focusing on the number of years in the industry may lead to overlooking high-potential candidates. Seek individuals with a proven track record of meeting targets and adaptable personalities who can quickly grasp your products and values.

Lack of Sales-Specific Assessment

Using generic hiring processes can hinder sales recruitment. During your hiring process, include sales-specific assessments and role-playing exercises to get an idea of candidates' real-world selling abilities, objection-handling skills, and closing techniques.

Overlooking Adaptability

The sales landscape constantly changes, with new technologies and selling techniques emerging regularly. Prioritize candidates who demonstrate adaptability and a willingness to learn and evolve with the industry, rather than solely focusing on their experience and achievements.

Ignoring Candidate Feedback                                                                                                                                             

A candidate's experience during the recruitment process shapes their idea of your company. Make sure to seek feedback from candidates to help improve your recruitment process for future hiring.

If you’d like to know more about how Precision People can help you build your team, contact us on 0116 2545411 or email Benm@precision-people.uk.