Successful sales are about relationships. And the top sales professionals know how to cultivate relationships they can convert into repeat customers. Relationship building is just one of the soft skills essential to successful sales. Do you know the other soft skills to look for in your next sales professional?

Adaptability

The strongest sales professionals can adapt quickly to new situations and environments. Adaptability will most often be demonstrated by a love of learning, combined with a willingness to try new things. So don’t be surprised to learn your top sales professionals are training for a marathon or learning how to sail.

Emotional Intelligence

You’ve probably heard the phrase ‘Emotional Intelligence’ recently; it’s become a bit of a buzzword, but that doesn’t lessen its value. Emotional intelligence is a skill of perception, comprehension, and management of emotions. It is a very powerful success indicator. Sales professionals with a high emotional intelligence are more apt to reach people, making real connections. They ‘get’ people. They understand what motivates a consumer to make a purchase, and they’re able to capitalize on it.

Initiative

Sales professionals with initiative are hungry sales professionals, and good for business. They don’t wait for opportunities to land in their lap; they go out and make their own. They often know the latest industry trends before many of their peers do. That initiative also means they will most likely be the first people to try new apps or programs, keeping your company ahead of the social media curve! Sales is a highly competitive field, and salespeople with initiative are typically leaders of the pack.

Strong Work Ethic

A strong work ethic is not something you can learn from a book or a high-priced seminar; a well-developed work ethic is something innate, cultivated from years of experience. And the most successful sales professionals are brimming with it. A strong work ethic means they care about the quality of their work, not just their sales volume. Remember, it’s about relationships for the top sales professionals, not just one-off transactions.

Teamwork

The very nature of sales work can find talented professionals off-site and away from the day-to-day workings of your company. But top sales professionals don’t let that get in the way of developing great interpersonal relationships with their co-workers. Good salespeople will always find ways to contribute company-wide despite the unique aspects of their job. They know that to be effective, they must understand all aspects of their company and be able to shine a spotlight on its best features.

Accountability

Accountability is a soft skill that is a must-have for any potential employee, not just sales. Candidates who pride themselves on being accountable make everyone look better – themselves, their co-workers, the company. Of course, mistakes happen, but employees with accountability among their soft skills set learn from their mistakes, striving not to repeat them.

Now that you know what to look for, you’re halfway there. Hiring your next sales professional doesn’t have to be difficult. Let the experienced staff at Morris Bixby help you find your next sales superstar.