What should employers ask when choosing a sales recruitment agency?
When we talk to companies looking to partner with a sales recruitment agency, there are several questions that come up again and again. These are not just “nice to have” — getting answers to them well can save you time, money, and a lot of frustration. Below are some of the key questions you should be asking a sales recruitment agency, and the answers you should get.
- What is your experience in my sector?
You’ll want to know whether the agency has worked in your specific field. Do they understand your sales cycle, your product or service, regulatory issues, or technical complexity? At Sales Recruit UK, our consultants have deep experience in sectors such as Industrial & Manufacturing, Electrical & Lighting, Oil & Gas, Technology & SaaS, FMCG and Food & Drink, Construction, and Business Services. Because we already know the challenges, metrics, and the kind of candidates who excel in your industry, we can move faster, and match more appropriately.
- How do you source candidates?
It’s not enough just to post adverts. You’ll want to know: do they tap into passive candidates (people not actively looking but open to the right move)? Do they use headhunting, referrals, their own network? What screening, assessments or role-plays do they use to filter out candidates who look good on paper but aren’t likely to perform? At Sales Recruit UK, we combine active search, our established networks, and robust screening to ensure quality. We also talk through past performance, commercial acumen, attitude, and soft skills—not just sales numbers.
- What is your track record of success?
You should ask for evidence: case studies, references, success rates. What is their fill rate? How long does it take on average to fill a role? What is the retention like for hires they place? At Sales Recruit UK, because we specialise in multiple sales-focused industries, we can show you examples of sales hires we’ve placed who are still performing well after 12 months, and we believe our longevity (decades of combined experience) demonstrates our ability to consistently deliver.
- How do you understand and align with our company culture and values?
Even if someone has strong sales experience, if they don’t fit your culture, teams, or values, the match may fail. It’s worth asking: how much time will the agency spend understanding what “being a good fit” means for you — your leadership style, incentives, team dynamics, reporting lines, pace of growth, etc.? We at Sales Recruit UK always build in a discovery phase: before we start sending CVs, we meet (or call) hiring managers to map out culture, working style, what success looks like in that role (beyond the sales target), and what challenges the candidate will face.
- What is the cost, payment structure, and guarantees?
Pricing is a big question: what fee will you pay, when is it due; do they work on retained or contingent basis? Are there guarantees (e.g. if a placement leaves within a certain timeframe, will you get a replacement or refund)? With Sales Recruit UK, we are transparent about our fees and what you get for them. We discuss clearly whether a role is urgent or niche (which can affect budget), and we offer guarantees on many of our placements — because we want your investment in hiring to be as low-risk as possible.
- How will you keep me informed during the process?
Communication matters. You should ask: what is their process for sending CVs, for feedback, for updates? How often will you be updated? What level of involvement will you have in candidate short-listing, interviews, decision-making? With Sales Recruit UK, we commit to regular check-ins and don’t leave you wondering. From the moment you brief us, through candidate sourcing, shortlisting, interviews, and offer stage, you’ll have transparency. We give you profile summaries, feedback from our screening, and often advice on what to expect in candidate responses based on previous hires in similar roles.
- What is the depth and reach of your candidate network?
A sales recruitment agency that only works locally or within a narrow pool may miss out on high-quality candidates elsewhere. Ask: do they have access to national or regional networks, passive candidates in your sector? At Sales Recruit UK, our recruitment reach is UK-wide, and many of the best hires come from candidates who are not actively job-hunting but are open to the right opportunity. Because we specialise, our reputation in various industries means candidates often come via referrals or reach out because they know our name.
If you’re considering working with a sales recruitment agency, these are the kinds of questions you should always put on the table. At Sales Recruit UK, we are always ready to answer them, because we believe a strong partnership starts with clarity, trust, and a clear understanding of what you need.
Ready to start a conversation and talk sales recruitment with us? Contact us now.