Job Market - Hard Hiring for Entry Level

Hey there! I know we are keeping the recruiting at bay here but I wondered if anyone else is having a hard time finding quality candadites or just getting a response from any applicants? I recently got promoted to re-build the SDR program post-covid. We don't have a corporate recuirter right now and as a Sales Manager I am doing it all by myself. I find what I think are good candadities who entertain me and then ultimately cancel the in-person, request to "reshcedule" (never do) or they just don't respond, even after applying to the role. Is it the time we are living in?


Unfortunately I don't own the company, so I am not able to change the characteristics of the job which could be in a post-covid world, less than desirable. It is not remote and the base is not $65k....... given that there isn't a whole lot I can do about those things, I am quite frustrated.


It feels like I suck at recruiting and now I am wondering if I should be a manager at all....I feel like I am failing majorly.... any words of wisdom?

👥 Hiring
8
someoneinsales
Tycoon
3
Director of Sales
If it’s not remote or competitive to other pay, it will be hard to get people excited. You should approach recruiting as a way to show the candidate why their career will benefit from joining your team (long term gain). Talk about potential growth. Talk about how you can teach them to go above and beyond OTE to make up for less than ideal base. Etc. Thoughts?
DungeonsNDemos
Big Shot
0
Rolling 20's all day
Mooney, I think you nailed it 100%. Also, I don't know if OP is in a tech hub, but if not you will not find the talent you're looking for without at least offering remote work. 
I saw my old company try and fail to hire AEs and BDRs for months because they didn't offer remote and their pay was not competitive. Of my own personal opinion, I'll never take another non-remote or non-hybrid role again. 
CaneWolf
Politicker
3
Call me what you want, just sign the damn contract
Have you tried:

-Looking at non-traditional candidates such as Verizon/AT&T store workers, leasing agents at apartment complexes, waiters, etc., whom you could offer more money? People are flooding out of nursing - can you find some of those people?
-Working with universities with sales programs?
-Partnering with Flockjay?
-Recruiting former athletes who are giving up the dream?
-Asking your friends if they know anybody (this works shockingly well)?

The big thing is you're going to have to get creative and show that there is a career path here worth pursuing.

Edit to correct typo
CoorsKing
WR Officer
2
Retired King of the Coors Knights
BTW - what that rule meant was “no direct recruiting of WR members”. This post is totally fine, best of luck. I know there are a few members here who are recruiters so they may be able to give you some tips!
SaaSam
Politicker
2
Account Executive
Have you considered focusing your search on folks in or graduating college?

Also being bad at recruiting doesn't make you bad at managing so don't let the one discourage you from the other.
SlinginSoftware
Politicker
1
Account Executive
I was thinking either focusing on recent grads or someone thats making a career pivot to sales.

Someone that's looking to get into sales, but no one will give them the time of day, will jump at the opportunity and work their ass off. 
SaaSam
Politicker
0
Account Executive
That's exactly where I would look. And I would market it as a way of getting their foot in the door
CuriousFox
WR Officer
1
🦊
@BigCheese may be able to offer some guidance here friend.
SalesRecruiter
Opinionated
0
Recruiting Director
Is there a training program? Is there a defined career ladder? Do you consider yourself a mentor and do you talk to candidates about your mentoring program? Money is important but at the end of the day, if you’re trying to hire an entry level person and there’s no promise of opportunity or development outside of an SDR role, they will find a place that has it.
Dorsia4Two
Valued Contributor
0
Account Executive
What would this candidate be selling?
leasingislife
Good Citizen
0
SDR Manager
Equipment leasing and finance
Dorsia4Two
Valued Contributor
0
Account Executive
No kidding? I sold a good bit of outdoor advertising at my last gig and was always calling up good folk like you to lease equipment out. I know more about lifts than I ever thought I would lol. I can totally understand the frustration. Candidates can be super picky about the industry they’re getting into; I used to run into this a lot while recruiting. It’s good that you’re being upfront and honest about the role, that’s something I’d see people do all the time and they were always bewildered at why their hires didn’t stay. It’s not always the easiest to do but practice patience and do what you can to try and convince your higher ups to make things a bit more enticing (if they see how much of an issue this is, they’ll be alllll ears)
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