Handpicking Linkedin's best: How to Source, Assess, and Hire Sales executives

Sales executives play a crucial role in the success of any business. They are responsible for generating revenue by selling products or services to customers. As a recruiter, it is essential to understand the role and responsibilities of a sales executive and what you should look for when attempting to find the right candidates for the job.

In this blog, we will discuss the role and responsibilities of sales executives and provide insights into what recruiters should look for when hiring sales executives. We also talk about the benefits of doing so and why they are essential for the smooth functioning of any sales company.

Role of Sales Executives

Sales executives are responsible for generating revenue for their company by selling products or services to customers. The job involves identifying potential clients, developing relationships with them, and closing deals that are beneficial to both the customer and the company. The sales executive is often the primary point of contact for the customer, and as such, they need to be highly skilled in communication, negotiation, and customer service. They typically work in a business-to-business (B2B) or business-to-customer (B2C) environment and are responsible for selling products or services to customers.

In a B2B environment, sales executives are responsible for selling products or services to other businesses. When placed in this role, sales executives should be able to identify and understand the needs of the business they are selling to. This helps them elaborate on the gap that your company’s product or service can fill and market it more effectively. In this environment it is also important to focus on building strong relationships with key decision-makers within the customer’s organization and aim for repeated or recurring purchases.

In a B2C environment, sales executives are responsible for selling products or services directly to consumers. In this environment they should possess the ability to relate and order the customer's preferences to suggest products or services offered by the company. When you choose to hire sales executives for a B2C business you must keep in mind that the role entails persuading customers unfamiliar with your company to make a purchase which requires good negotiation and strong persuasion skills.

Responsibilities of Sales Executives

Sales executives have a range of responsibilities, including:

• Identifying new business opportunities: Sales executives need to identify new business opportunities by prospecting and identifying potential customers. This involves researching potential customers and identifying their needs and requirements.
  
  
• Developing relationships with customers: Sales executives need to build strong relationships with customers to understand their needs and requirements better. They must be able to communicate effectively and build trust with customers.
  
  
• Conducting sales presentations: Sales executives need to be able to deliver effective sales presentations that demonstrate the value of the product or service being sold. This requires strong communication skills and an ability to tailor the presentation to the customer's needs.
  
  
• Closing sales: Sales executives need to be able to close sales by overcoming objections and persuading customers to make a purchase. This requires strong persuasion and negotiation skills.
  
  
• Managing customer accounts: Upon hiring sales executives are responsible for managing customer accounts and ensuring that they receive excellent customer service. This involves providing after-sales support and ensuring that any issues are resolved promptly.
  
  
• Meeting sales targets: Sales executives are typically given sales targets that they need to achieve. This can affect the remuneration they receive within that particular billing period. In the case that their salaries are fixed, the assigned sales target is generally put in place as a base for any incentive or stimulus programme built on their performance in the same period. This requires an ability to prioritize tasks effectively and to work under pressure.
  
  
• Reporting and analysis: Sales executives need to provide regular reports on sales performance and analyze sales data to identify trends and opportunities for improvement. This requires strong analytical skills and an ability to use data to inform decision-making.

Skills Required for Sales Executives

• Communication Skills: Sales executives must have excellent communication skills, including verbal and written communication, to engage with clients effectively. They should be able to articulate the value proposition of the product or service and provide clear explanations of the product features and benefits. They should also be able to listen carefully to the client's requirements and feedback to provide personalized solutions.
  
  
• Persuasion Skills: When we hire sales executives we must ensure that they must be persuasive to convince clients to buy the product or service. They must have the ability to identify and overcome objections, articulate the benefits of the product or service, and present solutions to the client's problems. The ideal candidate should have a strong understanding of human psychology, consumer behavior, and sales strategies.
  
  
• Analytical Skills: Sales executives should have analytical skills to understand and analyze data to identify opportunities, trends, and customer insights. They should be able to use this information to create effective sales strategies, measure success, and make data-driven decisions.
  
  
• Customer Service: When hiring sales executives you should look for candidates who have excellent customer service skills in order to build strong relationships with clients. They should be able to address clients' concerns, answer queries, and provide exceptional customer service throughout the sales process.
  
  
• Time Management: Sales executives should have excellent time management skills to prioritize tasks effectively and manage their time efficiently. They should be able to manage their schedule, follow up on leads, and deliver results within the required timelines.
  
  
• Relationship Building: Sales executives must be able to build strong relationships with clients to establish trust and loyalty. They should be able to build rapport, understand client needs, and provide personalized solutions.

Qualifications Required for Sales Executives

• Education: A degree in business administration, marketing, or a related field is preferred but not mandatory. A candidate with a degree in any field with relevant experience in sales can also be considered.
  
  
• Sales Certification: There are a variety of certifications available for candidates entering the sales field. These are beneficial when we are looking to hire sales executives as they help the recruiter quickly assess the qualifications of the candidate and let the candidate present any relevant certifications that can help them provide credibility to their aptitude. Therefore sales certifications, such as Certified Sales Professional (CSP), Certified Sales Executive (CSE), or Certified Sales Leader (CSL), are a quick and surefire way of assessing candidates prior to hiring and can provide the candidate with an added advantage when applying to the company..
  
  
• Relevant Experience: Relevant experience in sales is a must-have for a sales executive. Sales is very much a hands-on profession and when you hire sales executives The ideal candidate should have experience in generating leads, closing deals, managing customer accounts, and achieving sales targets.
  
  
• Industry Knowledge: Sales executives should have a good understanding of the industry in which they are selling. This includes knowledge of the product or service, industry trends, and competitor analysis.
  
  
• Technical Skills: Sales executives should be proficient in using sales tools, such as CRM, email marketing software, and other relevant software, to manage their sales process.
  
  
• Soft Skills: Sales executives should possess soft skills, such as teamwork, problem-solving, adaptability, and resilience. These skills are essential in a dynamic and evolving sales environment where interpersonal interactions are key for success.

Benefits of hiring sales executives

• Increased Revenue: The primary benefit of hiring sales executives is the increase in revenue. Sales executives are responsible for bringing in new clients and generating business for the company. They have the skills and experience to identify potential clients, create effective sales strategies, and close deals. With their expertise, they can help a business reach its revenue targets and grow exponentially.
  
  

When you are sourcing and hiring sales executives, the primary goal is to increase sales numbers but by assessing the performance of the sales work force we can gain an additional benefit by determining the top performers in sales. These employees should be chosen to handle lucrative deals and leads as they present the highest chance of success. According to Salesforce Work.com and the TAS Group, Top performing sales reps are 250% better at qualifying leads which makes their benefit apparent.

• Improved Customer Satisfaction: Sales executives are not just responsible for generating new business; they are also responsible for maintaining existing relationships with clients. They have the necessary skills to understand client needs, provide personalized solutions, and offer exceptional customer service. By building strong relationships with clients, sales executives can improve customer satisfaction and increase customer loyalty.
  
  
• Increased Market Share: Hiring sales executives can help a business gain a larger market share by identifying and targeting new clients. They can also help a company stand out in a crowded marketplace by creating effective marketing strategies and highlighting the unique value proposition of the product or service. With their knowledge and expertise, sales executives can help a company establish itself as a leader in its industry.
  
  
• Competitive Advantage: A skilled sales team can give a business a competitive advantage in the market. Hiring sales executives can help a company stay ahead of its competitors by creating effective sales strategies and identifying new opportunities. They can also provide valuable insights into the market and consumer behavior, which can help a company make informed business decisions.
  
  
• Increased Brand Awareness: Sales executives can help a business increase its brand awareness by creating effective marketing strategies and highlighting the unique value proposition of the product or service. By building relationships with clients and providing exceptional customer service, they can also create positive word-of-mouth advertising, which can help a business gain new clients and increase brand recognition.
  
  
• Improved Sales Processes: Sales executives have the skills and experience to improve sales processes, including lead generation, sales forecasting, and pipeline management. By creating effective sales strategies and using sales tools, such as CRM software, they can streamline the sales process and make it more efficient. This can help a business save time and resources, which can be reinvested into other areas of the company.

We can help you source and assess sales executives with ease!

We at HireQuotient understand the importance and need for effective candidate sourcing. With access to over 600 million candidate profiles across the globe and a concise pre-screening procedure, HireQuotient can help you finish your candidate sourcing in days rather than weeks with the use of automation. Utilize our job description builder to quickly create the ideal job description when you decide to hire a sales executive and access and communicate with HireQuotient’s vast pool of candidates via our targeted mass outreach procedures. This has saved over 70,000 hours for recruiters and with our pre screening you can sort out candidates and find the ideal candidate in under 5 minutes!

HireQuotient integrates with LinkedIn through our new product EasySource, which allows you to sort between the multitude of candidates available on LinkedIn based on the categories that are important to you. Systematically filter candidates based on the job title or location of the work to quickly obtain candidates that are needed on short notice. Get a list of candidates sorted according to the relevant experience, skills or education demanded of the job or role in question. We also make it possible to filter candidates based on the industry, course and authorization for work in the US. Therefore you get access to an immense pool of candidates, boiled down to the ideal candidates for your needs.

HireQuotient also provides an entire plethora of skill assessments that you can employ in gauging the skill of your employees. Our repository is constantly updated with the latest industry relevant tests and assessments pertaining to all non-tech related positions. The questions are created by dedicated subject matter experts in the relevant industries and are categorized based on the difficulty levels so that you can effectively assess the candidate you choose to hire.

All of this is available in a few clicks of your mouse, so check out the company website to book a demo or get on a call with our experts here at HireQuotient to learn how we can help you integrate LinkedIn sourcing in your hiring practices, assess and hire sales executives for your company.