A sales representative plays a significant role in the success of your business, but hiring the wrong candidate can also negatively influence your business and cost you time and money. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, the average cost of a bad hire is up to 30 percent of the employee’s first-year earnings. These costs may relate to hiring, retention, and pay.
When taking measures to build an efficient team, how do you know if you’re bringing the right people to your company? Avoid making the poor recruiting decisions listed below so you don’t incur the cost of a bad hire.
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Not Working with a Sales Recruiter
When you internally handle the responsibility of filling a vacant sales position, it can be challenging for your company to identify a suitable candidate for the role, leading to higher employee turnover. Replacing a wrong hire can cost your company time and money, which you can avoid when you work with a sales recruiter.
A sales recruiter that focuses on hiring top-notch B2B sales professionals will help you find the ideal candidate due to their expertise in the hiring process. The best sales recruiters will have access to an extensive database of sales candidates that can positively influence your company’s target and increase your profits. Working with a sales recruiter saves you the time and hassle of browsing through several applications and identifying the best fit for the position in your company. They can also help facilitate offers and negotiations.
Writing Unclear Job Descriptions
If you don’t take the first step of adding a thorough and accurate description for the role in a job posting, you’ll be wasting time speaking to the wrong people. It’s essential to provide a clear list of your expectations when looking for a sales representative, as it filters the number of applications and attracts qualified candidates. Take your time to include all critical tasks the new hire will have to complete and be direct about the qualifications you expect the candidate to possess.
Rushing the Hiring Process
When you spend too little time browsing through your list of applicants and hire one of the first few people that apply for the role, you may unintentionally be ignoring red flags. It’s important to take your time and not rush the hiring process if you want to avoid the cost of hiring the wrong candidate.
Making a Decision Based Only on a Resume
It’s important to remember that the first impression of a candidate through their resume isn’t enough to make a judgement. Resumes don’t always tell the full story about a candidate’s efficiency. To make sure you’re hiring the right person, you must conduct a thorough interview and observe their answers. Let candidates expand on their past experiences, as it helps you understand if they’re a good fit for your company.
Poor Onboarding Process
Hiring the right candidate isn’t only about finding the most-qualified applicant. An efficient hiring process is supported by a thorough onboarding process, allowing candidates to get accustomed to their job and access the necessary resources and tools to perform tasks. Hiring a qualified candidate who can’t perform to their full potential due to a lack of knowledge about your company can increase employee turnover.
Hiring the right person to fill a sales position is key to building a successful team. Take your time to learn and familiarize yourself with the common mistakes some companies make, and then avoid making them!