Where can you find qualified {role_name}?

What are the best practices for headhunting {role_name}?

How to shortlist candidates?

Once you have started to get applications from applicants, a thorough screening process and shortlisting of prospects will help you make the most of your time spent with the most qualified ones. 

Automated shortlisting tools :

Automated screening quickly filters out unqualified candidates, saving time for manual review. This allows the manual process to focus on the most promising candidates, ensuring the best ones are considered for further evaluation.

Screening questions to auto-shortlist based on predefined criteria

like qualifications, location, experience, and skills. Either use job board or use an ATS such as whitecarrot. Here are some questions for {role_name}

• Experience:
  • Question: How many years of experience do you have in a sales role?
    • Auto-Reject: Less than 1 year
  • Question: How many years of experience do you have in customer service?
    • Auto-Reject: Less than 1 year
• Location:
  • Question: Are you located within [specified location] or willing to work in this location?
    • Auto-Reject: No
• Skills:
  • Question: How proficient are you in using sales software or CRM tools?
    • Auto-Reject: Not proficient

Skill based question to auto shortlist candidate

Analyze the skill test data to automatically shortlist top-performing applicants. (recommended screening test time - 15 minutes). Here are some skill test questions for {role_name}

Sales Foundations

Understanding of basic sales principles and techniques.

• What is the primary purpose of upselling?
  • Options: 
    • Increase sales, 
    • Reduce inventory, 
    • Improve customer satisfaction, 
    • All of the above
• How would you handle a customer objection to a product's price?
  • Options: 
    • Offer a discount,
    • Explain the value, 
    • Recommend a cheaper alternative, 
    • All of the above
• What are the key elements of a successful sales pitch?
  • Options: 
    • Knowledge of the product, 
    • Understanding customer needs, 
    • Confidence, 
    • All of the above

Customer Service

Ability to provide excellent customer service and handle customer inquiries effectively.

• What is the most important aspect of providing excellent customer service?
  • Options: 
    • Greeting customers, 
    • Handling complaints,
    • Providing accurate information, 
    • All of the above
• How do you handle a difficult customer?
  • Options:
    • Listen to their concerns, 
    • Offer a solution,
    • Remain calm, 
    • All of the above
• Describe a time when you went above and beyond to help a customer.
  • Options: 
    • Offered additional help, 
    • Provided a complimentary service, 
    • Followed up after the service, 
    • All of the above

‍

Communication Skills

Ability to communicate clearly and effectively with customers and team members.

• How do you ensure clear communication with customers?
  • Options: 
    • Active listening, 
    • Clear instructions,
    • Regular updates, 
    • All of the above
• Describe a time when you had to explain a complex product feature to a customer.
  • Options: 
    • Used simple terms,
    • Demonstrated the feature, 
    • Provided written instructions, 
    • All of the above
• How do you handle misunderstandings or miscommunications with customers?
  • Options: 
    • Apologize, 
    • Clarify the information, 
    • Provide a solution, 
    • All of the above

Note - Auto reject candidates if scores less than 70% in this section

One way video interview

Use tools like hirevue, whitecarrot.io to ask candidates pre-recorded questions about their experience and skills.

Use sample question given in scorecard.

Collect other information 

Collect data from shortlisted candidates, such as salary expectations and visa status.

Manual candidate profile shortlisting:

Thoroughly review the CVs of the top scoring candidates from the automated process

Look for evidence of the required skills, experience, and achievements

Review the candidate’s portfolio or GitHub repositories to see examples of their work.