How to tackle sales recruitment challenges before Christmas

In this episode, Mike Leather and Sam Musiyarira delve into the unique set of challenges that arise in sales recruitment as the holiday season approaches.

Learn key obstacles faced by recruiters during the festive season, such as long notice periods, tight timelines and turn arounds on CV’s, and the all important candidate experience.

If your businesses is looking to overcome the hurdles of hiring top-notch sales talent amidst the year-end rush, Mike and Sam share their experiences and provide practical tips on how to proactively address these issues.

Listen to the full podcast episode now:

🎄Challenge #1

Long notice periods

Extended notice periods can significantly slow down onboarding, impacting your ability to fill crucial roles quickly.

The Solution:

• Build relationships early: Engage candidates early in the process to understand their current employment commitments and potential flexibility.
• Proactive negotiation: Discuss notice periods before reaching the final hiring stages. Open communication can often lead to faster resolutions and expedited start dates.

Mike and Sam recommend staying ahead of this issue by establishing trust and transparency with candidates from day one.

🎄Challenge #2

The lack of urgency in starting people before Christmas

There's a common perception that there is less urgency to start new hires before Christmas, which can lead to delays and a backlog of recruitment activities in the new year.

The Solution:

• Showcase the benefits of starting before the holidays: Highlight how onboarding before the new year can set candidates up for success, allowing them to hit the ground running in January.
• Emphasise seamless integration: Reinforce the company’s commitment to smooth transitions, even during the festive season. By creating a sense of urgency, you can ensure a more proactive hiring process.

🎄Challenge #3

Candidate experience not centric to the recruitment process

Despite a less-candidate driven market, Mike and Sam underscore the ongoing importance of prioritising the candidate experience. Neglecting this can harm your reputation and make attracting top talent more difficult.

The Solution:

• Personalised communication: Tailor your interactions to each candidate, showing genuine interest in their journey.
• Set transparent expectations: From timelines to job expectations, clarity builds trust and engagement.
• Feedback loops: Regular updates and opportunities for feedback keep candidates informed and invested.

Remember, even in competitive markets, the candidate experience remains a cornerstone of successful recruitment.

🎄Challenge #4

Extended time to hires due to slow turnarounds

The holiday season is fast paced but the extended time-to-hire is often a result of slow turnarounds in reviewing CVs and profiles.

The Solution

• Streamline CV reviews Leverage technology for faster profile assessments and prioritisation.
• Set clear expectations: Align hiring teams on deadlines and expectations to avoid unnecessary delays.
• Invest in training: Ensure your teams are equipped to make swift, informed decisions to keep the process moving.

With a little preparation and the right tools, you can maintain efficiency even in a bustling holiday season.

'The Recruitment Roundup' by BMS Performance is a weekly Podcast discussing hiring and sales strategy tips for sales professionals. Tune in every Wednesday at 5 pm on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or YouTube.

Connect with our podcast hosts:

Mike Leather and Sam Musiyarira