Skip to content

Job Seekers Hub | 5 soft skills employers look for when hiring sales reps

Table of Contents
    Add a header to begin generating the table of contents

    If you love hitting targets, have zero fear of rejection, you’re great at building relationships, and you constantly push the boundaries to break records and drive home results – chances are you’re a good salesperson. However, to be a great salesperson, it’s often the soft skills that really separate the good from the great.

    After learning from The Wall Street Journal that 58% of employees who stated they had ‘excellent communication skills’ on their LinkedIn profile were successfully hired over the process of the year, well, it’s safe to say this got us thinking. As such, we asked our clients what they cared about most when hiring for their sales team. While some of these may not come as a surprise, it’s important to highlight these five skills to help you build up your soft skills and outshine your competition.

    During the interview stages, employers care about these five qualities when hiring new sales talent:

    1 – Strong communication – cold calling, social selling, email etiquette, you name it – these are all part of the communication umbrella that employers want to know you can excel at

    2 – Professionalism – whether it’s a phone based or client facing role, being polished and professional will allow clients and prospects to take you seriously to ultimately build trust.

    3 – Adaptability – sales environments are constantly changing. Employers want to know if you’ll be able to adjust to new situations – both internally and externally.

    4 – Leadership/management skills – employers are always thinking long-term. They don’t want to have to hire again in six months if the candidate wasn’t the right fit. Hiring a candidate with long-term leadership and management potential to help the team grow is a huge aspect, especially in those junior and mid-market roles.

    5 – Passion and enthusiasm – no one likes an un-enthusiastic salesperson. Excitement, passion and a positive attitude is much more likely to stand out and leave a lasting impression.

    With regards to specific interview questions, Lisa Dougherty (Editor at Content Marketing Institute) always asks candidates; “If money wasn’t a factor and you could do whatever you wanted in any industry, what would you do?” Lisa asks this because she “wants to find out what they are passionate about and if they are enthusiastic when talking about it. If they struggle to answer, that’s a huge clue into their personality. A hustler will have plenty to say and will light up like a Christmas tree”. This is Lisa’s way of digging into their soft skills without directly asking how “passionate” they are.

    Our biggest suggestion is to be genuine and to present your soft skills in a non-forced way. Be confident, be real, and most importantly – be you.

    FROM OUR PULSE NEWS, EMPLOYER AND JOB SEEKER HUBS

    Featured Articles

    Writing a Killer Cyber Cover Letter

    In the fiercely competitive world of cybersecurity, a strong resume is your foundation, but a killer cover letter is your secret weapon. It’s your opportunity to transcend bullet points, tell your unique story, and demonstrate to a hiring manager why you are the ideal candidate for a specific role, not just any role. In an…

    The Best Cyber Podcasts for Learners

    In the fast-paced world of cybersecurity, staying informed is not just an advantage—it’s a necessity. New threats emerge daily, technologies evolve rapidly, and the strategies for defense are constantly being refined. While traditional learning methods like certifications and online courses are crucial, one of the most accessible and engaging ways to keep your finger on…

    AI in Cybersecurity Explained

    In the relentless cat-and-mouse game of cybersecurity, traditional, rule-based defenses are increasingly outmatched by sophisticated and rapidly evolving threats. Enter Artificial Intelligence (AI) and its powerful subset, Machine Learning (ML). These technologies are not just buzzwords; they are fundamentally reshaping how organizations defend themselves, offering unprecedented capabilities in threat detection, response, and prevention. At its…

    Cybersecurity Metrics That Matter

    In the complex world of cybersecurity, simply having security measures in place isn’t enough. To truly understand your organization’s defensive strength and continuously improve, you need to measure what matters. But with a sea of data available, how do you choose the right cybersecurity metrics that offer meaningful insights, not just noise? Effective cybersecurity metrics…

    What does your Cyber Strategy look like?

    The start of a new financial year is more than just a calendar change; it’s a golden opportunity to hit reset. It’s the perfect time to reflect on what worked, what didn’t, and where to put your energy to stay strong in an increasingly complex world. And right at the top of that agenda? Cybersecurity….

    How to Make Your Move Into Cyber

    The cybersecurity sector is booming. With digital threats escalating daily and a pervasive global talent shortage, the demand for skilled cybersecurity professionals is at an all-time high. This makes it an incredibly attractive field for career changers, offering not just competitive salaries and job security, but also the profound satisfaction of protecting critical data and…

    Cybersecurity Mid-Year Recap 2025

    The first half of 2025 has served as a stark wake-up call for cybersecurity professionals and organizations across the globe. The digital threat landscape continues to evolve at an unprecedented pace, demanding constant vigilance and adaptive defenses. With cybercrime costs projected to reach a staggering $10.5 trillion annually by the end of this year, it’s…

    Lucrative Cyber Roles in 2025

    In 2025, the cybersecurity sector continues its remarkable trajectory as one of the most resilient, innovative, and financially rewarding fields in technology. The relentless surge in cybercrime, coupled with an persistent global talent shortage, has created a seller’s market for skilled professionals, driving salaries upward and opening doors to highly lucrative career paths. Organizations are…

    Cyber Trends and Threats in 2025

    As we move through the heart of 2025, the cybersecurity landscape continues its unprecedented, rapid evolution. For individuals, businesses, and governments alike, staying acutely informed about the latest threats and trends isn’t merely an advantage; it has become an absolute necessity for survival in our interconnected world. This month, in particular, has brought forth a…

    How to Attract Cyber Experts

    In the ever-escalating battle against cyber threats, the strength of your defense lies squarely in the expertise of your cybersecurity team. Yet, the industry faces a staggering global talent shortage, with millions of unfilled positions. This means that attracting, hiring, and retaining top-tier cyber experts isn’t just a recruitment challenge; it’s a strategic imperative that…

    POWERED BY