Here's Why You Shouldn't Request CVs in Your First Message to Potential Sales Reps
When reaching out to commission-only sales reps, it's crucial to understand that they operate more like entrepreneurs than traditional sales job seekers. Here’s why asking for CVs in your initial message might not be the best approach, along with some tips on how to better engage these professionals.
The Unique Nature of Commission-Based Sales Reps
Commission-based sales agents often don’t have formal CVs because their career paths are dynamic and ever-evolving. They are self-employed rather than job seekers.
Requesting a CV right from the start can give the impression that you're looking for employees or to treat self-employed sales reps more like employed sales staff rather than independent sales partners.
This doesn’t mean they have something to hide; it's simply a reflection of their entrepreneurial approach and they way they operate.
Starting the Conversation
Sales reps provide a snapshot of their expertise within their CommissionCrowd profile. If you think a person may potentially be a good fit, initiating a dialogue with the goal of progressing to an online meeting or phone call can provide a more comprehensive view of their capabilities than a traditional resume usually kept by job seekers.
Setting Up Exploratory Calls Rather Than Requesting CV's
Instead of requesting CVs upfront, start with a friendly introduction to your company and what sets you apart from the competition. Let the sales rep know you've read their profile and think you may potentially be a good fit working together.
If you receive a positive response then it's time to set up an exploratory call. The best way to do this is by providing a link to your calendar so they can quickly and easily schedule a call with you at a convenient time.
These conversations allow you to understand their sales strategies, successes, and potential fit for your team more effectively. You can gauge their experience and assess their alignment with your business needs during these discussions.
Personalize Your Initial Messages
Personalizing your initial messages can make a significant difference. Here’s how:
Highlight the Fit: Clearly explain why you believe they are a good fit for your opportunity.
Articulate Benefits: Outline the benefits of working with your organization, including potential earnings.
Provide Scheduling Options: Ask if they would like a link to schedule a call and provide one if they respond.
This approach can make your outreach more compelling and increase response rates. By adjusting your approach, you can create more engaging and effective initial interactions.
Leveraging Diverse Experience and Networks
Sales agents with experience in different industry sectors often have diverse portfolios and extensive networks of contacts. These contacts can be potential future clients for your business.
Therefore, it’s beneficial to consider not only the products or services they currently sell but also who they sell to. With the right connections, they can make introductions and open doors quickly.
It would be a mistake to request the CV of a sales rep that perhaps would have never considered working with your company however, after hearing from you and sparking their interest, they could grant you access to their networks and be fantastic at making introductions to potential clients they already do business with.
We recommend starting off with a friendly conversation that introduces your company and why you feel your products or services could be a great addition to their sales portfolio then proceeding from there.