{"id":1969,"date":"2023-02-01T12:20:00","date_gmt":"2023-02-01T12:20:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rainmakers.co\/blog\/?p=1969"},"modified":"2023-02-20T12:25:54","modified_gmt":"2023-02-20T12:25:54","slug":"best-traits-salespeople","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/rainmakers.co\/blog\/best-traits-salespeople\/","title":{"rendered":"Building a Strong Sales Team: Traits and Qualities to Look For"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Avoiding Hiring Mistakes: What to Look for in Sales Candidates<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

What should you look for when recruiting sales professionals<\/a>? What qualities should they possess? How can you tell if a potential hire will succeed or if they are just good at doing interviews?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are several time-tested traits you should keep an eye open for. By selecting sales reps with these qualities, your business will be more profitable and more likely to succeed. Consider reviewing these traits among your current sales staff to see who might need some coaching. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Consider the following candidate traits and skills:<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

They Understand the Importance of Following Up<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Effective follow-up is one of the abilities that separates the all-stars from mediocre sellers. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Deals are closed through follow-up, so if a candidate understands this as early as the hiring process<\/a>, you can be more assured that they will be effective at following up with clients and sales. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As essential as conducting follow-ups is, how they do so is also an important indicator of success.<\/strong> Avoid candidates who give off a strong sense of desperation and argumentativeness. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A Thick Skin<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A strong sales close consists of three components: asking early, asking frequently, and accepting the answer \u201cNo.\u201d Unfortunately, some salespeople become agitated when a customer rejects them\u2014some end a call with an abrupt hang-up or by taking on a hostile tone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A good salesperson understands that they may need to move more quickly or that the customer has legitimate reasons for hesitation.<\/strong> They know how to get past a \u201cno\u201d and how to ask, \u201cWhat\u2019s the process we need to go through to get you ready to buy?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Or, an insightful salesperson knows when it\u2019s time to move on and not let it threaten their ego or sense of self-worth. In any of the above cases, the best salespeople also know when not to burn any bridges with poor responses to rejection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"find<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

They\u2019re Proactive and Ambitious<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Top performers are inspired by an intense drive to succeed. As a result, they react favorably to competition, which you can leverage using friendly sales contests, and take great satisfaction in closing deals. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

While some individuals may find the sales process tiring, a top-notch sales representative will feel invigorated by the challenge and always be on the lookout for the next big sale. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Accepts Feedback Well<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

This can be tricky. Everyone says they\u2019re open to feedback\u2014and some will actively seek constructive criticism\u2014but many push back or ignore feedback. Unfortunately, this means problems with performance or teamwork may end up continuing. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What\u2019s worse is that it can be challenging to identify those who are serious about accepting and taking advantage of feedback.<\/strong> If possible, look for instances where the candidate can demonstrate integrating feedback into improving performance. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Solid Communication<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

An effective salesperson needs excellent communication skills. They need to talk a good game, have empathy, be good listeners, and have solid writing skills\u2014particularly when composing emails. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When communicating with prospective hires, listen to how they speak. For example, are there many pauses, mumbled words, or confusing phrases used? Likewise, are their email communications clear and free of typos or poor grammar?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All of this counts. Your salesperson is a representative of your company, and the first impression many customers have with your company is through your representatives\u2019 phone calls and emails. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A Positive Attitude<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Much of a salesperson\u2019s time is spent interacting with several different types of people\u2014not just prospects but coworkers, management, customer support, and others. They must therefore exude a positive attitude that uplifts anyone with whom they come into contact.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In addition, the candidate should be open to new experiences, accepting of others, and genuinely interested in developing relationships. <\/strong>This can be tricky to determine during an interview, but try to understand the candidate\u2019s energy level at work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"what<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

What Are Some of the Biggest Red Flags To Look Out For?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

There are a few negative traits you may want to watch when conducting interviews. In addition, certain warning signs can inform you what candidates will likely not be a good fit for your company. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

  1. They lack professionalism \u2013<\/strong> This should be pretty easy to spot. A professional candidate speaks well, dresses well, and conducts themselves like they are trying to make a good impression.<\/li>
  2. They are risk-averse \u2013<\/strong> Candidates who take a long time to come to a decision\u2014particularly a big decision\u2014may have similar problems going after big-ticket customers. You want a salesperson who is willing to take some risks.<\/li>
  3. They seem to have little self-awareness \u2013<\/strong> Asking candidates about their biggest strengths or weakness are valid interview questions. However, candidates who take too long to come up with an answer or a weak response may have some blind spots when it comes to how well they can perform or suffer from a lack of honesty about themselves.<\/li>
  4. They don\u2019t have a growth mindset \u2013<\/strong> Ask the candidate when was the last time they learned a new skill or did something to improve their performance. Salespeople who don\u2019t look for ways to change or advance themselves do not do well in long-term sales positions.<\/li>
  5. They confuse confidence with arrogance \u2013<\/strong> Be mindful of whether a potential sales hire seems too<\/em> confident. It can be subtle, but some people turn confidence into a sense of arrogance, making them more challenging to coach. They can also be less receptive to feedback.<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n
    \"contact<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    Common Mistakes Made During the Recruitment Process<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    You need a solid hiring procedure with checks and balances in place if you want to recruit well. Here are some common mistakes to avoid. <\/p>\n\n\n\n