How to Conduct a Successful Job Search

Finding the ideal sales job may seem daunting at the start of the process. Below, the executive search experts at Treeline offer in-depth, expert advice that draws from the firm’s 20-plus years in exec recruitment.

As with closing worthwhile deals, securing a quality sales job requires planning, focused energy and persistence. When applied properly, the optimal sales job search strategy will end successfully.

Before starting their search, a job seeker must set honest personal expectations. Extreme highs and lows will soon follow. For many, moments will arise when the candidate feels like no one wants them.

Trust the thought-leading knowledge from one of the top executive search firms in North America. From either side of the exec search recruitment scenario, this is a head game, and most candidates experience doubt throughout their job search.

So, sales job seekers must start with a solid mental foundation. Positive affirmations, personal belief and expectation-setting, for the applicant and people in their lives, relieves stress, improves focus and maintains accountability. As a result, it feels natural to apply oneself to productive tasks that create daily rhythms.

Whether meeting with recruiting firms or interviewing directly with their future manager, leaning into a systematic job search plan is critical to success. The following breakdown of preparation, daily tasks and resources from the specialists at Treeline gives sales candidates an advantage against fierce competition.

Preparation

For the best chance at success, always prepare thoroughly. The best executive search firms and hiring managers appreciate exceptional preparation, and they can easily tell when a person is unprepared. Don’t be that person.  Review the company website and know why you are applying.

Follow these tactics:

Self-Reflection: Whether seeking a sales job or maintaining high professional standards business leaders must develop the capacity to look inward.

Values & Passions: Every opportunistic job seeker must identify core values and contemplate what ignites their inner spirit. The sales recruiters at Treeline advise candidates to live those values throughout their search for new employment opportunities.

Strengths & Skills: Analyzing one’s set of hard and soft skills is critical to understanding their unique offerings. The smart candidate will fully appreciate how to use those sales attributes during their job search.

Sharpen Your Tools: Whether seeking to join one of the top rated executive search firms, applying to sell software or pursuing a sales role at a biotech startup, the modern job seeker knows they cannot succeed with dull, atrophied tools.

Resume & Cover Letter: Craft compelling documents that highlight achievements. Tailor resumes and cover letters to each application. 

LinkedIn Profile: Today’s job seekers must optimize their profiles to showcase expertise. When using LinkedIn, they must target the right audience and actively engage within industry networks. Such focused energy helps hiring managers and executive recruitment search firms notice sales candidates.

Search Strategy

Applicants who employ random tactics can expect a harder road, especially if they intend to get executive attention. When seeking a sales role with virtually unlimited commission potential, it’s wise to follow advice from the deeply informed leaders at one of this century’s top executive search companies.

The optimal strategy should be familiar to all sales professionals. It’s exactly like developing a prospecting plan for a territory:

Determine the preferred work environment. The preference might be virtual, in-office or hybrid. Naturally, in-office roles must be realistically commutable, so the pros at one of the top ten executive search firms recommend mapping out a radius and targeting companies within that geographic area.

Identify target industries and roles. Job seekers should research situations that align with their interests, values and skillset. The executive search recruitment leaders at Treeline urge applicants to evaluate growth potential and job outlook during this step.

Leverage a networking strategy. Identify individuals and groups relevant to the target roles and industries. Utilize alumni networks, professional groups and online platforms.

Stay updated on industry trends, company news and competitor insights. Utilize publications, reports and industry experts. Personal connections with hiring managers or vice presidents can be key here.

Daily Tasks

Serious pursuers of sales jobs do not allow themselves a day off until they land a new position. The executive hiring agency leaders at Treeline offer the following task lists:

Determine how many daily hours will be reserved for this job search. Carve out a specific, distraction-free timeframe each day.

Use targeted job boards, company websites and professional networks to find relevant openings.

Apply to one-to-four jobs daily.

Connect with 20 people per day on LinkedIn. These people must be at companies with current openings. For every interesting opportunity, connect with four employees’ profiles. Whenever possible, include the hiring manager, their boss, a talent acquisition professional and the head of Human Resources.

Track conversions. For example, how many LinkedIn invitations does it take to get a connection? Top executive recruiting firms know such data aids in revising daily goals.

Track the number of connections required to get a response or create engagement.

Track how many responses it takes to get an interview. Ultimately, these data points and goal revisions shorten the job search.

Stay organized. Use a tracking system. “Treat these opportunities just like sales leads.”

Like and share posts by connected profiles on LinkedIn. Be social. After all, LinkedIn is social media for business professionals.

To boost momentum and awareness, stay on-point and present throughout the job search. Leading executive recruiting companies remind job seekers to promote themselves and tell their stories as often as possible.

Networking

While on LinkedIn, also connect with one-to-four former colleagues, bosses and clients daily.

Engage in meaningful conversations. Ask thoughtful questions. Offer value to groups and connections. This task cannot be done using a boilerplate language. Executive search companies know experienced LinkedIn users can easily detect such text. Be authentic.

Participate in relevant online group discussions to build visibility and new network connections.

Share insightful content on LinkedIn or other platforms. Demonstrate relevant expertise within a sought-after field whenever possible.

“Engage with industry leaders and thought-provoking posts to establish yourself as a knowledgeable professional,” say the experts at Treeline, chief among executive recruiting firms.

Stay updated on trends and skills. Read industry publications and articles, or watch relevant webinars. Share and repost these, too.

Accountability

Modern job seekers must practice accountability:

Set accurate daily goals. 

Relieve stress by holding yourself accountable to following your job-search strategy.

Consistency is key. Dedicate focused time each day, scheduling breaks to avoid burnout. Don’t finish the work day until all daily tasks are complete.

Maintain a positive mindset. 

Track all progress. Use spreadsheets or apps to monitor applications, connections and each interviews’ outcome.

Activity will bring conversations, and conversations will lead to a pipeline of interviews and opportunities.

Rhythms

Treeline’s experts say, “Find your daily rhythm, and stay consistent with your effort.” The following advice empowers that rhythm and consistency:

A person’s day may start with exercise, positive mental affirmations or reviewing core values. Each job seeker should begin each day with their preferred rhythm-boosting task.

Establish the right mental attitude daily. This increases the potential to achieve daily goals and celebrate the small wins.

By establishing positive rhythms, candidates can unintentionally find the perfect job.

Professional Development

A wise player in today’s job market thoroughly appreciates the maxim that says, “Knowledge is power.” Candidates seeking stellar sales roles should develop the following knowledge:

Interview Skills: Practice common interview questions. “Know your story and how to tell it, and refine and rehearse your answers,” say Treeline’s experts.

Negotiation Skills: Understand personal worth, and research salary ranges for target roles and locations. Prepare negotiation strategies.

Ask trusted individuals to review resume content, cover letters and interview skills.

Adapt and Refine: Learn from each step, analyze results and adjust the job-search strategy as needed.

Consider Harvard Business Review’s tips for quickly acquiring a job required reading.

By following the above advice from one of the top exec recruitment agencies and utilizing the provided resources, a person seeking a high-paying sales role can launch a strategic and effective job search that lands their dream opportunity.

If you’re a business leader seeking to quickly access the best sales candidates, reach out to Treeline, the industry leader among executive search firms, today.