5 Traits That Can Predict a Promising Sales Career

Enjoy this Guest Blog Post by Jessica Cahill from JWilliams Staffing, the nation’s #1 real estate staffing industry. JWilliams Staffing is a Sponsor of The Jeff Shore Sales Leadership Summit

As the Nation’s largest real estate staffing agency, we review thousands of resumes and conduct hundreds of interviews each month.

Always looking for the “ideal” candidate, we have identified five natural traits that are important to all of our clients.

These five traits make the difference in getting our candidates permanently placed on a regular basis.

Here are the top five traits that predict a promising sales career in the new home sales industry:

1. Positive Energy

Energy attracts energy. And positive energy sells!

When a candidate attends an interview and exhibits a high energy positive attitude through their smile and facial expressions, posture, and the upbeat inflection in their voice, our recruiters know they may very well have a rising star in front of them!

These individuals have a greater ability to paint the picture for a potential buyer, and genuinely get excited during the process…. they possess the ability to “Sell the Experience” rather than simply selling a home.

2. Inquisitive Nature

While a positive attitude and high energy are a great foundation, they are squandered traits in a sales person if they are not accompanied by an inquisitive nature.

Candidates that ask probing questions during the interview with the intention of learning, rather than to make conversation, are candidates worth strong consideration.

A naturally inquisitive person will also want to know all they can about their prospective buyers in order to best assist them in the buying process.

This ability makes a prospective buyer feel understood and cared for and often leads to a sale!

3. Follow-Up/Assertiveness

Recruiters are often surprised how many sales people forget that the very first product they are selling is themselves…in the interview!

A timely thank you note, following an interview, will unquestionably make a candidate stand out from the competition.

Even better if they were also diligent in obtaining the interview in the first place.

When a candidate displays an assertive effort to move forward, the likelihood of success working on the sales floor with a builder is greatly improved!

4. Communication Skills

Simple communication, for some, is not so simple.

When a candidate naturally and comfortably opens up during an interview, sharing their background and experience in a straightforward manner, while simultaneously finding common ground with the recruiter, this is an excellent sign.

Candidates that possess the skill of artful communication are capable of making a buyer feel comfortable opening up to them and quickly forming a bond; this bond is strengthened during the sales process and often leads to referral business.

5. Transferrable/Acquired Skills

The skills that a candidate brings to the table from previous positions are the building blocks that will assist them in making a career transition into New Home Sales.

Some of the strongest candidates have backgrounds in Customer Service, Hospitality, outside sales, vacation sales, high end retail, finance, and the travel industry.

Candidates in these fields have recognized their transferrable skills and are looking for a rewarding position where they are able to work with buyers every day to help them achieve their dream of home ownership!