What One Question Reveals About a Candidate's Sales Mindset

Who inspires your sales candidates—and why?

Here’s the question to ask:
“Do you have a role model in sales? Why did you choose them?”

What you’re looking for:

  1. Hard work over hype: Do they admire someone for their grit, not just fame?
  2. Consistency over luck: Is their role model someone who earned success through effort, not shortcuts?
  3. Values alignment: Does their answer reflect the persistence and dedication your team values?

This one question uncovers whether a candidate truly respects the process of building success in sales—or if they’re drawn to shortcuts and quick wins.

Want to see how to incorporate this into your interviews? Watch the short clip, then check out the full “Hire Sales Winners” webinar for more actionable strategies.

https://www.linkedin.com/events/hiresaleswinners-10proventactic7256622253704892417/theater

#SalesHiring #InterviewTips #HireWinners #informedecisions

Sales Leaders – Stop Hiring Without Asking This

How do you know if a candidate truly understands what it takes to succeed in sales?

Ask this question:
“What does a successful career in sales look like to you?”

Here’s what to listen for:
1️⃣ Their expectations: Do they think success comes overnight, or do they recognize sales is hard work?
2️⃣ Their motivation: Are they driven by realistic, long-term goals or chasing short-term wins?
3️⃣ Their grit: Do they acknowledge the persistence and effort needed to thrive in sales?

This question isn’t about finding the “perfect” answer—it’s about spotting those who respect the grind and are prepared for the journey.

Want to see this in action? Watch the short clip, then check out the full “Hire Sales Winners” webinar for more strategies to uncover top sales talent.

👉 https://www.linkedin.com/events/hiresaleswinners-10proventactic7256622253704892417/theater/

What’s the one interview question you rely on to spot true sales potential? Share your thoughts below!

#SalesHiring #InterviewTips #HireWinners #informedecisions

Uncover the Silent Superpower: 5 Strategies to Spot Active Listeners in Sales Interviews 🔍🦻

Active listening separates good salespeople from great ones. 

Here's how to identify this crucial skill during hiring:

  1. Listen for the Unspoken 🤫 Present a scenario: "A client needs better CRM reporting." Average candidate: Jumps to product features. Great listener: Asks "Why is this important to you?" or "What specific insights are you looking for?"
  2. Observe Throughout the Interview 👀 Do they:

3. Ask for Summaries 📝 After complex discussions, have candidates recap key points. Look for accurate summaries and reframed issues.

4. Watch Non-Verbal Cues 🤔 Eye contact, facial expressions, and note-taking can reveal genuine engagement.

5. Test Retention and Connection 🧠 Say: "Earlier, you mentioned [specific point]. How does that relate to [current topic]?" Strong listeners will effortlessly connect the dots, showing they've been actively processing information.

#SalesHiring #ActiveListening #InterviewTips #informedecisions

The Untold Truth About Behavioral Interview Questions

Behavioral questions are great, but...

They're not the whole story.

Yes, past behavior predicts future performance.

Science backs it up.

But relying solely on "Tell me about a time when..." ?

That's a trap.

Here's why:

  1. Our world is changing FAST. Yesterday's challenges ≠ Tomorrow's hurdles
  2. Candidates anticipate these questions. They come armed with polished, rehearsed stories. 
  3. You're missing hidden gems. Transferable skills often fly under the radar

Example: A recruiter who managed unhappy hiring managers? They could be your next customer service star!

So, what's the secret sauce?

Engage candidates with real scenarios. Present day-to-day challenges. Use dilemmas and simulations.

Why?

Picture source: IO Psych Memes

#interviewquestions #informedecisions #InnovativeHiring #InterviewTips #TalentAcquisition

The Interview Scoring Scale Showdown: What's Your Magic Number?

Calling all Talent Acquisition pros! 

Are you debating which scoring scale to use for interview feedback?

Let's crack this code together.

Two burning questions:

1️⃣ Even or Odd?

2️⃣ How many levels?

Even vs. Odd: Why Odd Wins 

Informed Decisions hot take: Go odd! Here's why:

• Captures the middle ground (hello, average candidates!) 

• Avoids forced high/low scores

• Perfect for skill assessment (save those even scales for attitude surveys)

The Level Game: 1-5, 1-7, or 1-11? 

The plot thickens! Consider this:

✅ More levels = Better differentiation (up to 11)

❌ But too many levels = Confused interviewers 

Our Goldilocks solution? 1-7 scale 🎉

Just right for:

• Creating variance

• Keeping it user-friendly 😊

Quick note on variance: In the interview context, variance refers to the spread of scores across candidates. It's crucial because it helps distinguish between candidates and makes your assessments more predictive of future job performance. Without variance, everyone looks the same on paper! 📄🤔

Remember: Your scale should let interviewers paint an accurate picture without turning into rocket science! 🚀🖌️

#InformedDecisions #TalentAcquisition #InterviewTips