Could you transition from sales into recruitment? Your Skills Are More Valuable Than You Think               

17th September 2024

Transitioning from a sales role to recruitment is a great way to expand your skill set, translating your already established skills into a new career where you can maximise your earning potential! 

Core skills from a career in sales include relationship building, negotiation, and client management, all of which are incredibly valuable and go hand in hand with a career in recruitment. 

Here’s how your expertise in these areas can set you up for success in a recruitment role. 

Relationship Building: A Key to Success

The importance of building and nurturing relationships in sales is essential to establishing trust and rapport – a skill that is equally crucial in recruitment. Whether you’re working with candidates or clients, by developing a relationship and engaging with customers in sales, you gain a deep understanding of their needs, career aspirations, and motivations.

Similarly, in a recruitment setting – a strong relationship with clients helps you understand their business needs, culture, and the role they are looking for.

Your ability to connect with people and maintain these relationships will enable you to create a network of talent and opportunities.

Client Management: From Customers to Hiring Managers

One thing most sales professionals can say with confidence is they are good at managing client expectations and delivering promises! In recruitment, client management takes on a similar form but rather with a focus on hiring managers and HR teams.

By having experience in handling client accounts, understanding their requirements, and the ability to deliver results – you’ll have skills that are invaluable in recruitment, finding that managing the expectations of clients and candidates requires the same level of attention, communication, and follow-through.

Negotiation: Finding the best fit

At the heart of both sales and recruitment is negotiation. In sales, you negotiate deals and prices, whereas, in recruitment, you’d negotiate job offers, salaries, and terms with candidates and clients.

Your ability to find a mutually beneficial agreement is crucial in ensuring that both parties are satisfied – a skill that is particularly important when it comes to closing deals and ensuring that you place the right candidate in the perfect role!

Making the Transition

Having the ability to build relationships, manage clients, and negotiate effectively will not only help you in a new role but also differentiate you as a recruiter who understands the nuances of client and candidate management from a sales perspective.

Rest assured, if you’re contemplating a move from sales to recruitment – your skills are a major asset. Ready to transfer your sales skills to recruitment? Explore our open roles and make the switch!