Hiring for Specification Sales? Here’s What to Consider - We’re currently running several Specification Sales recruitment drives, with most of our clients either in high-growth start-up phases, expanding into new markets, or building new divisions. Others are adding senior talent to strengthen their routes to market. One big question often comes up: 💡 Does a candidate need to come from the exact same space as your product to succeed? If someone has a strong specification background and can quickly get up to speed on your product range, do they really need to have been selling exactly what you sell? Think about this: someone trusted by architects, developers, GCs, and contractors can open doors and drive results. Product knowledge is teachable. Relationships and trust? Those take years to build. That said, how does it look when someone jumps from selling Product X one week as “the best thing since sliced bread” to selling Product Y with the same pitch? A balanced approach is key—someone with credibility in the market who can also adapt to your brand. What to Keep in Mind When Attracting Top Sales Talent: • The best sales performers aren’t usually actively looking for a new role. They’re earning well, well-respected, and likely working through a strong backlog of commissions. • To attract them, you’ll need to offer something compelling—whether that’s guarantees, sign-on bonuses, or a clear development pathway. • Expect competition for top talent, especially if you’re looking for a proven performer. Finding the right person might take patience, but if you get it right, they’ll deliver long-term value. Trusted relationships and strong routes to market always yield the best results. If you’re looking to bring serious sales talent into your team, let’s have a conversation about how we can help. Lignum Executive The Lignum Group
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A qualified sales opportunity is a sales opportunity that you’ve vetted to ensure a match to your product or service. It’s the next step into the sales funnel, and they have the funds and authority to make the purchase. You don’t want to waste time chasing an opportunity that can never become a paying customer. Check out this article:
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Jobs Looking For A Sales Job True Hunter Rock Star They Call Me For New Business not afraid to pick up the phone talk to anyone its like that movie wolf of wall street when he pitch a stock in the interview have stand out somehow that's key in sales always stand out be the best at what you do shine Be a star be a real Go Getter In Sales your looking at him. If your looking for top talent strong closer knows how build relationships with customers understand customers needs feel the pain and always listen to customers and build your pipeline to millions of dollars please reach out to me so I can get a good interview with a good company and land a good sales job in Senior Inside Sales, Sales Senior Account Executive Sales Development Rep, or Business Development Rep got lay off from my company back in April the company was not doing well they did away with my job. Here is another 2 recommendations on me from my former colleague who work with me could vouch for me. Michael Guerrero Global Relationship Manager April 8, 2024, Michael worked with Jayson on the same team Jayson is the best Senior Inside Sales and Business Development person I have ever worked with. In a start up environment, with only 4 sales people, Jason set an average of 3 sales appointments for each of us every day of the week. The appointments were always well qualified. Our success as a sales team had a lot to do with Jason’s professional abilities to secure real revenue generating opportunities. Victor Marte, CISSP Security Architect Specializing in Threat Intelligence and Zero Trust Frameworks | Expert in Compliance (ISO 27001, GDPR) & Cloud Security (AWS, Azure, GCP) | April 5, 2024, Victor worked with Jayson on the same tea, 2024, Victor worked with Jayson on the same team Having worked together with Jason Richman during our tenure at Array Networks, I can wholeheartedly vouch for his exceptional sales capabilities. Jason consistently exceeded every target set for him. Without a doubt, I would describe Jason as a top performer, whereas many others merely met expectations. His knack for turning prospects into solid meetings was unparalleled, proving that in lead conversion, he is in a league of his own. At trade shows and industry events, I witnessed his commitment and strategic approach firsthand, which significantly contributed to our team's success. Jason is not just an asset but a force multiplier for any sales organization.
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Jobs Looking For A Sales Job True Hunter Rock Star They Call Me For New Business not afraid to pick up the phone talk to anyone its like that movie wolf of wall street when he pitch a stock in the interview have stand out somehow that's key in sales always stand out be the best at what you do shine Be a star be a real Go Getter In Sales your looking at him. If your looking for top talent strong closer knows how build relationships with customers understand customers needs feel the pain and always listen to customers and build your pipeline to millions of dollars please reach out to me so I can get a good interview with a good company and land a good sales job in Senior Inside Sales, Sales Senior Account Executive Sales Development Rep, or Business Development Rep got lay off from my company back in April the company was not doing well they did away with my job. Here is another 2 recommendations on me from my former colleague who work with me could vouch for me. Michael Guerrero Global Relationship Manager April 8, 2024, Michael worked with Jayson on the same team Jayson is the best Senior Inside Sales and Business Development person I have ever worked with. In a start up environment, with only 4 sales people, Jason set an average of 3 sales appointments for each of us every day of the week. The appointments were always well qualified. Our success as a sales team had a lot to do with Jason’s professional abilities to secure real revenue generating opportunities. Victor Marte, CISSP Security Architect Specializing in Threat Intelligence and Zero Trust Frameworks | Expert in Compliance (ISO 27001, GDPR) & Cloud Security (AWS, Azure, GCP) | April 5, 2024, Victor worked with Jayson on the same tea, 2024, Victor worked with Jayson on the same team Having worked together with Jason Richman during our tenure at Array Networks, I can wholeheartedly vouch for his exceptional sales capabilities. Jason consistently exceeded every target set for him. Without a doubt, I would describe Jason as a top performer, whereas many others merely met expectations. His knack for turning prospects into solid meetings was unparalleled, proving that in lead conversion, he is in a league of his own. At trade shows and industry events, I witnessed his commitment and strategic approach firsthand, which significantly contributed to our team's success. Jason is not just an asset but a force multiplier for any sales organization.
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Jobs Looking For A Sales Job True Hunter Rock Star They Call Me For New Business not afraid to pick up the phone talk to anyone its like that movie wolf of wall street when he pitch a stock in the interview have stand out somehow that's key in sales always stand out be the best at what you do shine Be a star be a real go getter In Sales your looking at him. If your looking for top talent strong closer knows how build relationships with customers understand customers needs feel the pain and always listen to customers and build your pipeline to millions of dollars please reach out to me so I can get a good interview with a good company and land a good sales job in Senior Inside Sales, Sales Senior Sales Development Rep, or Business Development Rep got lay off from my company back in April the company was not doing well they did away with my job. Here is another 2 recommendations on me from my former colleague who work with me could vouch for me. Michael Guerrero Global Relationship Manager April 8, 2024, Michael worked with Jayson on the same team Jayson is the best Senior Inside Sales and Business Development person I have ever worked with. In a start up environment, with only 4 sales people, Jason set an average of 3 sales appointments for each of us every day of the week. The appointments were always well qualified. Our success as a sales team had a lot to do with Jason’s professional abilities to secure real revenue generating opportunities. Victor Marte, CISSP Security Architect Specializing in Threat Intelligence and Zero Trust Frameworks | Expert in Compliance (ISO 27001, GDPR) & Cloud Security (AWS, Azure, GCP) | April 5, 2024, Victor worked with Jayson on the same tea, 2024, Victor worked with Jayson on the same team Having worked together with Jason Richman during our tenure at Array Networks, I can wholeheartedly vouch for his exceptional sales capabilities. Jason consistently exceeded every target set for him. Without a doubt, I would describe Jason as a top performer, whereas many others merely met expectations. His knack for turning prospects into solid meetings was unparalleled, proving that in lead conversion, he is in a league of his own. At trade shows and industry events, I witnessed his commitment and strategic approach firsthand, which significantly contributed to our team's success. Jason is not just an asset but a force multiplier for any sales organization.
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Jobs Looking For A Sales Job True Hunter Rock Star They Call Me For New Business not afraid to pick up the phone talk to anyone its like that movie wolf of wall street when he pitch a stock in the interview have stand out somehow that's key in sales always stand out be the best at what you do shine Be a star be a real go getter In Sales your looking at him. If your looking for top talent strong closer knows how build relationships with customers understand customers needs feel the pain and always listen to customers and build your pipeline to millions of dollars please reach out to me so I can get a good interview with a good company and land a good sales job in Senior Inside Sales, Sales Senior Sales Development Rep, or Business Development Rep got lay off from my company back in April the company was not doing well they did away with my job. Here is another 2 recommendations on me from my former colleague who work with me could vouch for me. Michael Guerrero Global Relationship Manager April 8, 2024, Michael worked with Jayson on the same team Jayson is the best Senior Inside Sales and Business Development person I have ever worked with. In a start up environment, with only 4 sales people, Jason set an average of 3 sales appointments for each of us every day of the week. The appointments were always well qualified. Our success as a sales team had a lot to do with Jason’s professional abilities to secure real revenue generating opportunities. Victor Marte, CISSP Security Architect Specializing in Threat Intelligence and Zero Trust Frameworks | Expert in Compliance (ISO 27001, GDPR) & Cloud Security (AWS, Azure, GCP) | April 5, 2024, Victor worked with Jayson on the same tea, 2024, Victor worked with Jayson on the same team Having worked together with Jason Richman during our tenure at Array Networks, I can wholeheartedly vouch for his exceptional sales capabilities. Jason consistently exceeded every target set for him. Without a doubt, I would describe Jason as a top performer, whereas many others merely met expectations. His knack for turning prospects into solid meetings was unparalleled, proving that in lead conversion, he is in a league of his own. At trade shows and industry events, I witnessed his commitment and strategic approach firsthand, which significantly contributed to our team's success. Jason is not just an asset but a force multiplier for any sales organization.
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Don't Hire just salespeople; Find Your Sales Stars! Just like that inspiring 95-year-old grandma who thrived with purpose, successful salespeople aren't driven solely by commission. They're passionate, driven, and possess a unique blend of skills. Here's what to look for when hiring your next sales superstars: Communication Kings & Queens: Masters of Conversation: Sales is all about building rapport and guiding conversations. Look for candidates with exceptional communication skills, both written and verbal. They should be able to listen actively, articulate ideas clearly, and tailor their approach to different customer personalities. Storytelling Superpowers: People connect with stories. Find candidates who can weave compelling narratives that showcase your product's value and resonate with customer needs. Building Relationships is Key: Rapport Rockets: Sales is about building trust. Hire candidates who can build genuine rapport with potential customers, understand their challenges, and become trusted advisors. Team Players at Heart: Sales success often hinges on collaboration. Look for candidates who can work effectively with colleagues across departments, from marketing to customer service. The Drive to Succeed: Goal Getters: Top salespeople are intrinsically motivated and set ambitious goals. Look for candidates with a proven track record of exceeding targets and a relentless pursuit of success. Resilient Rockstars: Rejection is part of the sales game. Find candidates who are resilient, learn from setbacks, and bounce back stronger. Bonus Skills for the Modern Era: Data Delvers: Data is king in modern sales. Look for candidates who can leverage data analytics to identify sales opportunities, personalize pitches, and track progress. Tech-Savvy Closers: The sales landscape is increasingly digital. Find candidates comfortable using CRM software, sales automation tools, and video conferencing platforms.
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Yesterday I spoke to a candidate who made a sale to someone who called their office but had called the wrong number and was actually looking for another business 🤯 How is that for being a good sales person! What is it exactly that makes a great sales person? Gone are the days of pushy sales and sales is very much a game of trust. Here are a few of the skills I look for that elevates someone from good to excellent: 🎯Empathy Top salespeople don’t just push products—they listen, understand, and genuinely care about their clients’ needs. They know how to step into the client’s shoes, which builds trust and creates lasting relationships. 🎯Adaptability Every client, market, and situation is different. Someone skilled in sales can read the room, adjust their approach accordingly 🎯Persistence Rejections are part of the process, but what sets the best apart is resilience. They’re driven to keep following up, refining their pitch, and learning from every “no” to improve for the next interaction. The fortune is in the follow up as they say… 🎯Product Knowledge A great salesperson knows their product inside out, allowing them to answer questions with confidence and guide clients to the best solution. Knowledge is power, and customers can sense when it’s lacking and it impacts trust. 🎯 Target Driven Sales is a results game. Those who consistently succeed are the ones who set clear, achievable goals, track their progress, and hold themselves accountable. They’re always chasing that next milestone. I speak to successful sales people every week and it is very easy to see which ones are the ones who will make it. Are you looking to make your next sales hire? I’m working with some excellent candidates at senior level, predominantly in tech, ready for their next move. Let me know if you want to hear from them, or if you just need a bit of advice on how to hire sales people well.
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Jobs Looking For A Sales Job True Hunter Rock Star They Call Me For New Business not afraid to pick up the phone talk to anyone its like that movie wolf of wall street when he pitch a stock in the interview have stand out somehow that's key in sales always stand out be the best at what you do shine Be a star be a real Go Getter In Sales your looking at him. If your looking for top talent strong closer knows how build relationships with customers understand customers needs feel the pain and always listen to customers and build your pipeline to millions of dollars please reach out to me so I can get a good interview with a good company and land a good sales job in Senior Inside Sales, Sales Senior Account Executive Sales Development Rep, or Business Development Rep got lay off from my company back in April the company was not doing well they did away with my job. Here is another 2 recommendations on me from my former colleague who work with me could vouch for me. Michael Guerrero Global Relationship Manager April 8, 2024, Michael worked with Jayson on the same team Jayson is the best Senior Inside Sales and Business Development person I have ever worked with. In a start up environment, with only 4 sales people, Jason set an average of 3 sales appointments for each of us every day of the week. The appointments were always well qualified. Our success as a sales team had a lot to do with Jason’s professional abilities to secure real revenue generating opportunities. Victor Marte, CISSP Security Architect Specializing in Threat Intelligence and Zero Trust Frameworks | Expert in Compliance (ISO 27001, GDPR) & Cloud Security (AWS, Azure, GCP) | April 5, 2024, Victor worked with Jayson on the same tea, 2024, Victor worked with Jayson on the same team Having worked together with Jason Richman during our tenure at Array Networks, I can wholeheartedly vouch for his exceptional sales capabilities. Jason consistently exceeded every target set for him. Without a doubt, I would describe Jason as a top performer, whereas many others merely met expectations. His knack for turning prospects into solid meetings was unparalleled, proving that in lead conversion, he is in a league of his own. At trade shows and industry events, I witnessed his commitment and strategic approach firsthand, which significantly contributed to our team's success. Jason is not just an asset but a force multiplier for any sales organization.
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Jobs Looking For A Sales Job True Hunter Rock Star They Call Me For New Business not afraid to pick up the phone talk to anyone its like that movie wolf of wall street when he pitch a stock in the interview have stand out somehow that's key in sales always stand out be the best at what you do shine Be a star be a real Go Getter In Sales your looking at him. If your looking for top talent strong closer knows how build relationships with customers understand customers needs feel the pain and always listen to customers and build your pipeline to millions of dollars please reach out to me so I can get a good interview with a good company and land a good sales job in Senior Inside Sales, Sales Senior Account Executive Sales Development Rep, or Business Development Rep got lay off from my company back in April the company was not doing well they did away with my job. Here is another 2 recommendations on me from my former colleague who work with me could vouch for me. Michael Guerrero Global Relationship Manager April 8, 2024, Michael worked with Jayson on the same team Jayson is the best Senior Inside Sales and Business Development person I have ever worked with. In a start up environment, with only 4 sales people, Jason set an average of 3 sales appointments for each of us every day of the week. The appointments were always well qualified. Our success as a sales team had a lot to do with Jason’s professional abilities to secure real revenue generating opportunities. Victor Marte, CISSP Security Architect Specializing in Threat Intelligence and Zero Trust Frameworks | Expert in Compliance (ISO 27001, GDPR) & Cloud Security (AWS, Azure, GCP) | April 5, 2024, Victor worked with Jayson on the same tea, 2024, Victor worked with Jayson on the same team Having worked together with Jason Richman during our tenure at Array Networks, I can wholeheartedly vouch for his exceptional sales capabilities. Jason consistently exceeded every target set for him. Without a doubt, I would describe Jason as a top performer, whereas many others merely met expectations. His knack for turning prospects into solid meetings was unparalleled, proving that in lead conversion, he is in a league of his own. At trade shows and industry events, I witnessed his commitment and strategic approach firsthand, which significantly contributed to our team's success. Jason is not just an asset but a force multiplier for any sales organization.
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Hiring sales people is hard. Even harder when trying to delivering revenue too. I remember as a sales leader deciding to hire myself and save the £10k recruitment fee. The leadership team was very happy. But I then spent lots of time on activity that didn’t directly help me achieve my immediate revenue target. The LT no longer cared about that £10k saving... The unit economics just don’t stack up. I really think growth companies undervalue their time. Last week I spoke to a new VP Sales for a Series A company. They posted an AE role on LinkedIn for 7 days and stopped it after receiving hundreds of applications. After spending hours reviewing these, they cut down too: - 32 qualification calls - 18 candidates to a 45 min first stage interview - 4 candidates to 60 min 2n stage - 2 candidates to 90 min final stage (including the 2 co-founders) And they’re now unsure if they have the right person and might need to start the process again. Because reviewing a couple of hundred profiles is a tiny segment of the market. A market of people that are applying, saw the job posting and that happened to be looking in those few days that the role was live. That isn't a hiring strategy. There’s no headhunting. No outbound activity at all. They said it had taken them about 80 hours of work so far. The sales leaders has a £300k OTE. Their fully loaded salary for the time they spent alone is higher than getting external help. But... The bigger cost is the hours and hours of not building and not selling. They are the only person selling and have an active pipeline worth millions. The opportunity cost is huge! When I think about my senior sales roles it always strikes me how much time I wasted on hiring. How much time I misspent by not working towards those revenue targets. In the same way you use tools to help with efficiency. That’s exactly what service businesses do. Give you time back so you’re more efficient. The right service providers help with growth too. My message is simple. Sales Leaders: Value your time. Founders: Encourage using expert service providers.
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