“Sales are contingent upon the attitude of the sales person, not the attitude of the prospect.” So said American businessman and author W. Clement Stone. And he couldn’t be any more correct. A great salesperson is motivated, charismatic, and above all else, knows how to close. Adding the right sales professionals to your team will give your business the boost it needs to gain an edge on the competition and reach your revenue goals.
But where do you find these top-notch salespeople? If you’re like most businesses, you don’t have the time or resources to dedicate to a lengthy and expensive recruitment process. This is where working with a sales recruitment agency can be extremely beneficial. A lot of sales recruitment agencies will rely on a database of pre-screened and qualified sales professionals, and this can save a lot of time and energy in the hiring process. However, the truly great sales recruitment agencies will go above and beyond, getting to know your business inside and out so they can find the best match for your needs. They operate more on a search and selection basis, going out and hunting for your next great sales hire. In this blog post, we’ll give you some tips on how to find the right sales recruitment agency for your business so you can take your sales to the next level.
Choosing the right sales recruitment agency
When you’re looking for a sales recruitment agency, there are a few key things to keep in mind. First and foremost, you’ll want to make sure that the agency has a proven track record of recruiting high-performing sales professionals.
It’s also important to consider the size of the agency. A large, international firm may have a lot of resources at its disposal, but it may be more difficult to get the personalised attention you need. On the other hand, a smaller boutique agency will be able to provide you with a more tailored and intimate experience.
Finally, you’ll want to take into account the agency’s fee structure. Many agencies charge an upfront fee or a monthly retainer so you have to make a substantial financial commitment with no guarantee of your role being filled. Whereas others will work on a contingency basis, which means they only get paid if they’re able to successfully place a candidate with your company. The benefit of this is that it aligns the agency’s interests with yours, as they’ll only be successful if they’re able to find you a great salesperson who’s a good fit for your company.
What to look for in a sales-focused recruitment agency
Reputation
A critical factor to consider is the agency’s reputation. Ask around and see if anyone you know has worked with them before. Check out online reviews and see what other businesses have to say about their experience. A good recruitment agency will have a solid track record of placing great candidates with companies like yours.
Personalised service
As we mentioned earlier, it’s important to consider the size of the agency you’re working with. A large firm may have more resources at its disposal, but you may not get the personalised attention you need. Look for an agency that will take the time to get to know your business and understand your specific needs.
Process
Finally, you should ask the agency what their approach to the recruitment process is like. They should be able to provide you with a detailed overview of how they find and screen candidates.
Pro tips for working with a sales recruitment agency
Now that you have read this far, it’s time to give you some insider tips on how to find a sales recruitment agency to partner with to help grow your sales.
Avoid the big, specialist agencies
When it comes to recruiting top talent, you may be tempted to use a specialist in your sector. After all, they will have extensive knowledge of the industry and be able to identify the best candidates for your company.
However, there are several reasons why this might not be the best idea.
First of all, chances are that they are already recruiting for your competitors and won’t be able to headhunt from their own clients. For instance, say you run a company based in Cambridgeshire or Hertfordshire. There are only a few specialist agencies that focus on these areas and they are likely to be working with your competitors. As such, they will not be able to poach the best talent from other companies.
Another reason to avoid the big specialist agencies is that they tend to have high overheads, which means they will charge you a premium for their services. Plus, these types of agencies often have a sales-focused culture, which can result in them pressuring you to hire someone that isn’t necessarily the best fit for your company.
Look for a smaller, boutique agency
When it comes to sales recruitment, we recommend working with a smaller, boutique agency. These types of agencies are usually run by ex-salespeople who understand the challenges you face and can offer a more personalised service. The more mainstream sales recruiters will be handling a high volume of applications and may not have the time to give your vacancy the attention it deserves.
Be clear about your needs
Before you start working with a sales recruitment agency, it’s important to be clear about your needs. Take the time to sit down and write out a detailed job description. This will help the agency understand what kind of candidate you’re looking for and save you time in the long run.
Say you are looking for a sales manager to cover the Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire area. In your job description, you should include information about the ideal candidate’s knowledge of the local market, their experience in managing a sales team, and any specific skills or qualifications they need to have.
The more information you can give the agency, the better chance they have of finding you the right candidate.
Don’t have a job description? The best agencies will be able to help you put one together.
Review the reviews
There are many factors to consider when choosing a recruitment company. And with so many options available, it can be difficult to know where to start. However, reviews can be a helpful way to narrow down your options. When looking at reviews, pay particular attention to those from Google, as these are less likely to be biased. Trustpilot and Feefo are also great websites to check out, although it’s worth keeping in mind that companies can pick and choose which reviews to post on their website.
Experience counts
Another important factor to consider is the experience of the recruiter working on your roles. Aim for someone with 5+ years of experience in recruitment and preferably someone who has worked in sales before. Finally, take a look at how the company operates. Are they headhunting or just advertising? If they’re just advertising, you might be able to do that yourself and save yourself some money. With all this in mind, you’re sure to find the perfect recruitment company for your needs.
Final thoughts
Business is about selling. It’s as simple as that. If you’re not able to sell your product or service, then you’re not going to be successful.
Hiring a great sales manager will help you close more deals and grow your business. But finding the right sales recruitment agency to partner with can be a challenge.
That’s why it’s important to be clear about your needs and find an agency that can provide you with a tailored service.
Hiring a sales manager is probably one of the most important business decisions you will make, so it’s worth taking the time to find the right agency to work with.
At Zero Surplus, we understand that sales talent is the lifeblood of any organisation, and the competition for the top talent is only becoming more intense. That’s why we’re excited to offer our new suite of services designed to help you stay ahead of the competition.
We don’t just post adverts and wait for applications; we proactively target your ideal employee. We use the latest technology to identify, attract and engage your ideal candidate. And we take a consultative approach to understand your specific needs and requirements. We then create a bespoke solution that will get you the right sales person for your company.
Zero Surplus is proud to serve the East of England with both sales, account management and business development recruitment. We have worked with clients in Cambridge, Essex, Hertfordshire, Northamptonshire, Bedfordshire, Suffolk, Norfolk, Milton Keynes and beyond, and we have a thorough understanding of the industries in the region. We know what skills are in demand in each industry, and we are committed to helping our clients find the talent they need to succeed.
Would you like us to help you find your ideal sales manager? We have a team of experienced recruiters who can help you find the best talent for your business. Contact us today to learn more about our services.
