The Three Challenges of Getting "Found" for a Sales Job

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Ever wonder why your job search feels stuck? Most people who reach out to me in the same situation are left feeling frustrated by the lack of interest in them.

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"Why am I sending resumes into the abyss and hearing crickets instead of callbacks?" Today, I'm sharing the three biggest hurdles keeping you hidden from recruiters and hiring managers.

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These challenges aren't always obvious, yet they sabotage even the most determined job seekers. Let’s dive in, break them down, and ensure you’re finally getting noticed by the people who matter most.

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1. You Don’t Know Your Skills or Value

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Too often, candidates underestimate or overlook their true strengths, leading to misalignment in job applications. You don't take the time to figure out what you are TULY good at (Prospecting, Building Relationships, Fixing Bad Situations...)

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I recently worked with a seasoned sales rep from the food and beverage industry trying to pivot to pharmaceutical sales.

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Her resume was long but lacked industry-specific details and measurable successes. Despite years of experience, recruiters saw nothing relevant and moved on quickly.

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What Can You Do?

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• Conduct a deep self-assessment: What are your genuine strengths?
• Align your skills clearly with your desired role and industry.
• Ask colleagues and friends for feedback—they often see strengths you might miss!

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2. You Don’t Know How to Promote Yourself or Network

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Fact: Many top jobs are never publicly advertised. They're filled through trusted networks and recruiters.

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Roughly 80% of the companies that call me to help them find talent are doing so secretively. The incumbent is still in the role, and they can't advertise for it!

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A key challenge many candidates face is the inability to market themselves effectively. Candidates often rely on traditional application processes, missing out on the hidden job market where many high-paying roles aren’t advertised at all.

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What Can You Do?

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• Develop your personal pitch highlighting unique skills and successes.
• Create a target list of companies and actively network with decision-makers.
• Leverage platforms like LinkedIn to boost visibility and connect directly with recruiters.

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BONUS: Pitch Example:

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"I'm a Customer Success Team Leader who created the KPI’s/strategy and grew the team from 5 to over 40 people. We have a profit margin of over 30%, and I took my division from $500,00 USD to over $2M USD within two years."

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3. You Don’t Know Where You Want to Work or Why

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Clarity on your ideal job and targeted companies makes a huge difference in your job search.

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Recruiters are crucial for strategic hires where cultural fit and confidentiality matter. Companies rely on recruiters to find focused, passionate candidates, not applicants who scattershot their resumes everywhere.

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What Can You Do?

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• Make a specific list of companies you genuinely want to join.
• Clearly articulate your personal and professional motivations for each targeted organization.
• Network intentionally to align yourself closely with these companies’ goals and culture.

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The key to getting discovered by recruiters lies in understanding your value, effectively promoting yourself, and strategically targeting your ideal employers.

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Master these three areas - it might take a bit of time at first, but then it's rinse and repeat throughout your job search!

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