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The_Sales_Badger

Account Executive

Notorious Answer
Catalyst
Valued Contributor
+9

Strengths and Weaknesses of External Hires

I saw a topic that looked like this, but I wasn't 100% sure based on the title. Either way, as a sales mercenary (external hire), there are benefits and weaknesses that come with that title.


Tenured sales representatives are the ones that typically the quickest to point out the weaknesses. Since there is probably a decent mix here, I'd like to know what your thoughts are.


(Forgot the question - my bad)


What are the pros and cons of hiring someone externally rather than promoting within?


Pros - Experienced, Certifications

Cons - Not a culture fit, Doesn't understand internal processes

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8

10 comments

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InQ5WeTrust
Arsonist
5
No marketing, mayo isn't an MQL
Pretty vague my dude/dudette.

tenure as a concept in sales seems pretty outdated - the average time of stay is like sub-2-years for every position in sales atm. 
poweredbycaffeine
WR Lieutenant
4
☕️
What do you mean by this question?

What are the pros and cons of hiring someone from outside your company into an AE role?
hh456
Celebrated Contributor
4
sales
everyones an external hire at some point
UrAssIsSaaS
Arsonist
3
SaaS Eater
I have no clue what is being asked. Are we talking outsourced sales call centers or just hiring someone externally?
CuriousFox
WR Officer
3
🦊
Hi can you help us out my providing a little more detail please?
Diablo
Politicker
1
Sr. AE
Did you ask the question and answered as well in the last 4 lines?
The_Sales_Badger
Notorious Answer
0
Account Executive
Thats more of an ie. than anything - what do you think?
Justatitle
Big Shot
1
Account Executive
Pro: Brings in experiences from other roles as well as different ways to solve for problems that the current team may have never thought of 

Con: Doesn't know the product usually and will take some time to ramp.

The culture fit could be for any employee even internal. where they may be great on one team, they could be awful on another.
cw95
Politicker
0
Sales Development Lead
From experience it doesn’t often work well. Not just culture but they are hired purely on what the said they’d offer and not what they can actually bring to to the table - for example if they were hired to promote Lead generation they’d do that but it might not be the best quality etc
LordBusiness
Politicker
0
Chief Revenue Officer
Pros- different viewpoints, opinions. 
Cons - different viewpoints, opinions 

Hiring externally is usually more expensive as well, and while you would think the ramp would be quicker, unless the seller is bringing a book its usually slower cause you spend more time trying to work old shitty habits out of more experienced sellers. 

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