You’re ready to take on a new hire, your HR department has put up a killer advert but so far the applications are below the standard you’re looking for. They’re not experienced enough, don’t have any experience at all, or are unfamiliar with your market. So how can you stop wasting time during the hiring process and find the people who are truly right for your company? 

Assess your benefits

A good place to start is by looking at your benefits package. The pandemic has triggered many people to reassess their attitude to work and candidates are increasingly looking for bigger and better benefits packages. Gone are the days where you could offer statutory holidays only or ask people to work from the office 24/7. Now if you want to attract the best sales talent you have to be one step ahead of your competitors. 

Flexible working hours are a great way to attract those top performers who are prioritizing family life; allowing them to give their best at work and at home. Another simple way to attract top talent is to offer a blend of home and office working, many companies successfully implemented home-working at the start of the pandemic and there is certainly an appetite among candidates for this to continue where possible. Finally, and arguably most importantly, is generous healthcare. If you’re in a position to offer a good healthcare package this can be a real game-changer for candidates. 

The reality is that the better your benefits package is, the higher the quality of sales talent you’ll attract.

Company culture and progression

While changing company culture is by no means an overnight fix, it certainly goes a long way to enabling you to attract top sales talent. Most high-performers want to be part of an environment where the work they do is valued by other teams and the wider company. Feeling valued has increased in importance since the pandemic as many people became aware of the stress of feeling undervalued placed on them. There are more people than ever seeking out positions in companies that truly value their staff and it is these companies that are seeing the highest retention rates. 

Another key way to attract and retain top sales talent is by setting out clear progression routes, as one of the main reasons candidates leave is due to a lack of progression. They end up with nowhere to go and the only option available is to leave. By stating from day one how and when candidates can expect to realistically progress - and it is very important to set realistic expectations - you set them on a clear path. 

Work with experts

One reason you may be struggling to attract talented salespeople is that many are happy and comfortable in their current jobs. This means they’re not active on the market and therefore are unaware that you’re hiring or have heard you’re hiring but don’t understand how the move can benefit them. 

Working with an expert who understands your market and has connections to some of the industry’s top talent means you reach the best salespeople out there. A great recruiter is able to advise whether you are offering an attractive salary, suggest simple changes to your benefits package, and ways to improve your interview and onboarding process. All elements that potential new hires take into consideration before entering into the interview process with you. 

We’re experts in helping you find top sales talent, if you’d like to discuss your requirements get in touch.