There are quite a few qualities in a salesperson that should trigger immediate recognition from a hiring manager that they've discovered a strong candidate.
1. Thick Skin
They aren't offended or let down when they get told no. People don't always treat sales reps kindly, especially in a cold calling situation, so thick skin is essential.
2. An optimistic personality
Making the conscious decision every day to be positive is a great quality for a salesperson to have. They face rejection and sometimes insult on a regular basis, and it can be easy to fall into the trap of pessimism. A sales role has no room for that kind of outlook.
3. Motivated by Money
If your sales reps aren't motivated by money... how are they going to hit their revenue goals? With money on their mind, they will go the distance (and then some!) to smash their goals and bring home the bacon for your business.
4. Social Butterfly
More often than not, salespeople are very social beings. They enjoy small talk and being around people. This won't be the case for every sales rep on your team, but the vast majority will love socializing with their customers and will maintain close relationships with them.
5. Initiative
The sales rep you want on your team is self-motivated and able to get their tasks completed on their own, sans hand-holding. They're confident and ready to rock every day in the office.
6. Accountability
They don't need you or anyone else to hold them accountable; they can do it themselves. They know what they're responsible for and what's in their pipeline, and they can speak to it.
7. Coachable
It's the cardinal rule that experience is not nearly as important as coachability. Find sales reps that are coachable and you've hit the jackpot. You can mold them to have qualities you value, teach them new tricks to sell, and improve their overall performance.
Once you've found the perfect tried and true salesperson, here are some tips to keep them extra motivated.
