How we searched for a German-based SaaS Senior Sales Executive

Overview

The client - a Nordics headquartered, Series C, 135-employee, B2B SaaS company instructed me to help them source a Senior Sales Executives to cover Germany (DACH) region. This was an early stage DACH role, in a new sector.

The Challenge

Hiring can be tough in Germany. Sending out boring, same-same messages to target candidates gets a very poor response.

How about advertising the job online? Posting a Senior Sales job advert online in Germany often results in a very poor response rate. You would be lucky to get more than 1 or 2 matching candidates.

The Nordics SaaS company was looking for to outsource the hiring in order to get extra specific German-focused help to find great candidates for a very tough role to fill.

Our Recruitment Process

1 - First, we made sure we could "pitch" the opportunity just as well as the client could. The client even shared with us a pitch-deck.

2 - We then made sure we knew how to sell the opportunity specifically in Germany. When selling to Germans, there are specific nuances for example, never "over-sell" the job.

3 - I created a 3-min explainer video to replace the boring Job Descriptions that most others use. The video even contained a "book a call button" to allow candidates access to my diary.

4 - I approached specific candidates and sent them a highly personalised short message with a video link.

5 - Further networking, referrals and candidate outreach took place.

The Results

• 194 video views
• 25 candidate inbounds
• 14 booked video calls via the video link
• The shortlist of 5 candidates was delivered in 4 weeks
• The selected candidate started 3 weeks later
• Happy Client

The Lesson?

Modern hiring works best. Be different than the competition.

In Germany, you have to adapt your recruiting methods and strategy to suit the target audience.

How I can help you:

1) I help SaaS firm Leaders hire German Sales Leaders and Executives. 

* If you want help finding great German candidates, reach out 👉 here >>

2) Message me questions or for a copy of my free deck on "How to Hire in Germany"

#saas #germany #sales #vpsales