Moving from Sales to Recruitment

So, you’ve levelled up your skill set in a sales role, but the idea of a role change interests you. Yes, technically, recruitment is a sales-based job. However, it could give you that fresh start you’re after.

Maybe you’re not seeing much progression where you are, you’re fed up with capped commission, or you are looking for a better base salary. Whatever it may be, the skills you have built in your sales role go together with recruitment, and with the right mindset, you will thrive.

How are sales and recruitment similar? 

Recruitment is a target-driven environment; so there are lots of parallel skills built up within sales that can be translated into a job in recruitment:

• Lead generation skills will give you the ability to outperform your peers. In sales, you find potential buyers; in recruitment, you source potential candidates and clients.
• Negotiation skills are paramount. You will negotiate salaries and job offers, much like negotiating product pricing or contracts in sales.
• Strong communication skills and relationship-building are the building blocks of sales. In recruitment, having these skills will generate repeat business and bring money to your back pocket whenever your client requires more staff.
• Your ability to work in a fast-paced, competitive environment will make you well-suited to transition into recruitment. They have the same vibe.

Besides the skills, you have the C word: commission. Both recruitment and sales work on a commission basis. You will be paid a base salary and have a commission structure to work toward. Many recruitment roles offer uncapped commissions, expanding earning potential and providing skill-based progression.

The Key Differences of Sales vs Recruiting 

Although at its core, recruitment follows most sales processes, there are some key differences you should know about.

Product vs People. In sales, you’re selling a physical product or a service. While you are selling a 'recruitment service’, what you are really selling are your candidates, and fully understanding them and their aspirations can be key to placing them in the right jobs.

In recruitment, you adopt a dual sales approach. Recruiters sell to candidates (jobseekers) and clients (employers), whereas sales usually focus on one audience: the buyers. Managing two sales techniques simultaneously will elevate your recruitment game and provide valuable skills for your future career.  

Recruitment revolves around long-term relationships. You must invest time understanding a candidate’s requirements, interests, and skills. You also need to build solid relationships with clients. These relationships will set you apart in competitive markets and ensure repeat business is generated. You want to position yourself as their go-to guy.

Finally, regulations and compliance in recruitment are vital. Although many sales roles have their own form of product regulation, when it comes to recruitment you must ensure your candidates have right-to-work, correct qualifications, and comply with employment laws. These requirements differ depending on the role and client but are always something to be mindful of.

The Advantages of a Job in Recruitment

Recruitment offers high job satisfaction as you help candidates secure their ideal roles and support clients in building strong teams. Knowing that your efforts directly impact people's careers and businesses is incredibly rewarding.

Your skills grow you for life, as recruitment presents plenty of positive challenges that keep the role dynamic and engaging; there is always something new to tackle. This fast-paced environment ensures you never feel unengaged or stagnant in your job.

The role offers a large variety of work. You interact with different people daily, including candidates with unique career aspirations and clients with diverse hiring needs. No two days are the same, even if the approach often can be.

An Insight from Gregg, From Car Sales Manager to Recruitment

Gregg switched from sales to recruitment after nearly a decade in car sales, working as both a salesperson and a Business Manager. While he loved guiding customers through their purchases, recruitment was the perfect next step.

"The reason I initially explored recruitment was that it seemed a perfect fit to use my skill set and experience while progressing in my sales career. With my wedding around the corner and plans to start a family, the draw of working weekdays instead of weekends was a deciding factor."

Was it the right choice? Absolutely.

"I was reluctant to leave what I knew inside out, but recruitment has given me something my previous role never could—career progression, a better work-life balance, financial reward, and incredible experiences. I look back fondly on my time in car sales, but I will never regret the change I made, no matter how scary it felt at the time."

"How Do I Transition from Sales to Recruitment?"

If you’re looking to move from sales to recruitment, the good news is that your background has already prepared you for a smooth transition.

Start by researching agencies that align with your interests, whether in construction, tech, finance or other. Many agencies, including Daniel Owen, offer structured training and development programs to help you make the switch seamlessly.

Your experience in sales means you know how to build relationships, hit targets, and thrive in a competitive environment. Highlight these key skills when applying to roles and we’re sure you will be just fine.

Start with DO

We’re always on the hunt for individuals with sales experience looking to take the leap into recruitment. No matter your level of sales experience, we would love to have a chat with you.

Reach out to our talent acquisition team:

📞 0207 651 4034 
✉️ talentacquisition@danielowen.co.uk 

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