Salespeople: “Don’t You Forget about Me…” Because I Will Keep Pinging You

Hiring top salespeople is tough for a number of reasons. At the top of the list:

• salespeople are busy
• they typically do not want to leave their job if they are exceeding their quota or waiting on a large deal

As a sales recruiter, this presents a Catch-22 because those are exactly the type of salespeople I need to speak with.

The Sales Recruiter’s Dilemma

If you are a salesperson, you are used to opening up doors and barging through them. Maybe you’ve been trying to open a particular account forever. Maybe you feel like if you can just get a meeting with the decision maker — then you’ll be able to make them see the value your technology can add to their business. My job is no different. Only I am trying to get that meeting with you.

Advice When it Comes to Recruiters: Take the Call

I am appalled at the number of salespeople who respond to my inquiries with answers like “the timing isn’t right,” or “contact me next year.” Maybe they do not understand the value of networking, or maybe they were never told that the best time to look for a new job is when you are succeeding in your current one. Doors open for you when you are having success. It is much tougher to prove your worth if you are missing your numbers.

What I encourage sales professionals who are serious about their careers to do is to TAKE THE CALL. Most recruiters have a very targeted approach with regards to potential candidates — we aren’t throwing spaghetti against the wall. Take the call because I’m not interested in wasting your time or mine. Take it because the opportunity I’m ready to discuss might just be the greatest next move you could make. Take the call.

A Quick Lesson in Recruiter Etiquette for Salespeople

I had an interesting experience the other day with a gentleman I reached out to and called four times over the course of three months. I finally followed up one last time and let him know that it was the final attempt. He wrote back, “Good, because I am not interested.”

I understand not being interested in a company or position, but if that’s the case why not have the decency to write back right away so I can cross you off my target list as not interested?

Anyway you slice it, if someone is sending you a personalized message about why might be the perfect fit for a position, you need to respond. You should hear them out, but if that is not in the cards then at the very least shoot them a quick response. Otherwise, expect us to keep following up until we hear from you.