As of September 2021, Toronto’s unemployment rate is at 8.9 percent. This number is down 0.4 percent compared to August of the same year. There were also 17,300 more full-time jobs listed in the same month compared to the month prior. Meanwhile, an additional 36,300 part-time positions led to a total of 53,600 jobs in September alone.
These figures show that Toronto is recovering from when its full-time employment rate bottomed out in June 2020. This happened right at the height of the CoViD-19 pandemic. So, you can understand why recruiting firms’ efforts are now at an upswing.
Sales recruitment is one of those that are now hard at work at seeking and hiring new people. Sales, after all, is the lifeblood of any business. This is from the smallest kiosk to the biggest multinational company. Hiring qualified salespeople is, therefore, a priority for most recruiters. But that is not so easy.
A sales recruiting firm based in Toronto likens the hunt for top salespeople as finding a needle in a haystack. And, that is a fair assessment. The firm offers some excellent hiring tips that begin, as it often does, at home.
To help you out more, here are other tips you can use when hiring salespeople.
Make Employees Your Advocates
They say the proof of the pudding is in the eating. This means that proof of a great employer is feedback from existing employees. If you treat your top salespeople well, they become loyal fans. They will not only stay. But, they might even bring in other top salespeople into the fold, especially if you offer a referral.
Avoid Gender Bias
Did you know that many recruiters still use gender-biased language in job descriptions? These include words such as committed, self-reliant, and competitive.
These terms are certainly good qualities to have in a salesperson. But, using them in job descriptions subconsciously discourages women from applying. And, that is half the population. Moreover, women are incredibly good at sales, especially for B2B companies.
Try using “determined” instead of “committed” in your next sales job description. They may mean the same thing but have different nuances. You will be surprised at how the choice of words will affect the response to your job ad.
Be Specific About Competencies
Not all salespeople are created equal. They share many traits. But, their practical knowledge will determine their success at selling in any given field. When you set out to hire salespeople, make a list of specific requirements. List down those that will help them sell your product or service.
For example, if you are a SaaS company, you need a salesperson with some technical knowledge or experience selling software. Better yet, they should have experience in selling SaaS. Avoid using empty words such as “high-performing”. It doesn’t cut any ice if that performance is in selling baking equipment.
Make Them An Offer They Can’t Refuse
Salespeople are notoriously competitive. So, you need to give them an offer that will challenge and affirm their sales skills. Most salespeople love it when they get activity-based rewards. This is why tiered compensation works so well with them.
Create a compensation package that is heavy on performance incentives. This will motivate them to join the team.
Post Ads Where They Hang Out
When posting a job ad, most recruiters choose job boards specific for salespeople. These include Salesrep.ca or Indeed. But, if you want top-tier salespeople, place an ad on LinkedIn. Salespeople often check the platform to create networks, find prospects, and generate leads. Active salespeople will have a better chance of seeing your job post on LinkedIn.
Find a Sales Recruiting Firm Based in Toronto
Hiring great salespeople is essential. But, only a few business owners have the time or resources to do it on their own. If hiring salespeople is challenging for you, engage a sales recruiting firm to do the job for you. That way, you can focus on your business while still getting qualified salespeople.
