Lead Playbook Part 2: Mark and Armand on How to Structure Your Interviews to Hire Great Sales Talent
Apr 25, 2024
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Sales experts Mark and Armand discuss structuring interviews to hire great sales talent. Key takeaways: specialize interviewers, talk candidates out if needed, sell early then grill, test different sales dimensions. Strategies for top talent hiring and competitive tactics are highlighted.
Assign specific interviewers to evaluate core competencies for thorough assessment.
Sell candidates on goals early, then rigorously evaluate to gain respect.
Deep dives
The Hiring Process: Screening and Evaluating Candidates
Hiring high-quality people is crucial when opportunities to hire are limited. The interview process is essential in confirming if a candidate possesses the necessary traits and competencies. Starting with a strong recruiter who values quality over quantity sets the groundwork. Screening interviews, whether done by the recruiter or hiring manager, focus on basic connections rather than skills. The hiring manager's role then shifts to evaluating candidates rigorously to avoid wasting time and resources on unqualified individuals.
In the loop stage, assigning specific interviewers to evaluate particular competencies enhances the depth of assessment. Each interviewer focuses on two core competencies, ensuring a thorough evaluation of the candidate. The emphasis on precise competency testing allows for a comprehensive understanding of the candidate's skills and suitability. This structured approach ensures that all essential aspects of a candidate's abilities are thoroughly examined.
Final Evaluations and Decision-Making
Conducting final interviews with designated interviewers helps address any remaining concerns or hesitations about the candidate. These interviews involve key team members and executives to gather different perspectives. Ensuring a transparent and thorough evaluation process helps in making informed hiring decisions. The culmination of multiple interviews and assessments provides a holistic view of the candidate's fit for the role.
Recruiting Strategies: Outbound, Inbound, and Referrals
Effective candidate sourcing involves outbound efforts, inbound applications, and referrals. Outbound strategies, such as targeted LinkedIn searches and personalized outreach, help identify potential candidates. Referral programs, where existing employees recommend candidates, can also be valuable. Balancing these three sources ensures a steady flow of qualified applicants for various roles.
Designate specific people to cover very specific topics in the interview process so they can get really good at those core competencies. Leave the generic questions to another company.
When you got them hooked, talk them out of it. If you can talk them out of it, they wouldn’t have worked out anyway.
Sell early, grill after. Get someone to opt in by selling them on your goals and your mission. Then, gain their respect by grilling the heck out of them.
Each step in the process should test for different dimensions of sales and should be handled by different people with that expertise.