Some people were born to work in sales, and some were not. Since there are several unqualified applicants in the job market, it is important to weed these people out so that you can find the best sales associates for your company. A sales team is only as strong as its weakest member, so it is important to make sure everyone on your team has the skills required for a sales position. When hiring sales representatives for your company, it is important to look for the following qualifications.

1. Patience. Hiring sales representatives can be difficult if applicants do not possess patience. Sales are not always done as quickly as some sales reps may like, so they tend to get pushy until they eventually scare the customer away. This skill can be learned, since many sales recruiting firms will offer continuing training, but it is an important skill to have from the get go.

2. Perseverance. Astonishingly, only 20 percent of leads are ever followed up on. Since four out of five non routine sales are made after five or more follow ups, it is important for sales people to be persistent in their sales efforts, and pursuing leads is the first step. Similar to patience, perseverance must be maintained in order to close sales, but being too assertive can lose sales.

3. Friendliness. Few people respond well to grumpy salesmen, especially those who are genuinely interested in purchasing a product. When hiring sales representatives, it is important to take note of the general approachability and kindliness of the applicants. After all, sales can be made more easily with a handshake and a friendly smile.

With many unqualified sales people in the job market, it can be difficult finding one who possesses the skills necessary to succeed at your company. Since patience, perseverance, and friendliness are some of the most important qualities that sales people can possess, it is important to look for these when hiring sales representatives. By doing so, you can build the successful sales team that you have always imagined.