How Can I Transition from Corporate Sales to Recruitment? Seeking Your Advice!

Dear All,

I have been in Corporate Sales for more than 8 years, out of which the last 4 years have been in the sales of job sites like Jobsahead and Monster. Now, I am very keen on pursuing recruitment as my career. Unfortunately, I have not been able to find any openings in that industry, and the job offers I am receiving are all purely in sales.

I would like to request your guidance on how I can transition into roles within Recruitment, Offshore, or Contracting Companies based on my 8 years of sales experience. I would appreciate any advice on how to develop my career in this industry.

I am looking forward to your replies.

Thanks and Regards,
Nimit Panpalia
Mumbai.

Road Map from Sales to Recruitment/Selection

This is not impossible, but it needs extra work and input.

Your current competences, based on your experiences in selling, include:

- Prospecting
- Sales presentation
- Persuasion
- Negotiation
- Etc.

First step,

- Seek a sales job with a recruiting/selection agency.

Second,

- While performing on the sales job with a recruiting/selection agency, acquire knowledge of the following:

* Need for your agency
* Defining the need for filling the position
* How job analysis is conducted
* How the job description is defined
* How the job specification is made
* How the job conditions are defined
* How the job position competences are determined
* How compensation is determined
* How ads are made
* How the induction program is defined/conducted
* Etc.

Third,

- While performing on the sales job with a recruiting/selection agency, learn/develop these approaches on a number of positions.

Fourth,

Document these learnings as a reference point.

Fifth,

Take the opportunity to do a diploma in HR.

Sixth,

- Update your knowledge continually by reading books, HR magazines, scanning HR websites, and various other websites on white papers on this subject.

So, based on these efforts, over a period of 2 years, you can acquire sufficient knowledge/skills/abilities to transition into a career in recruiting/selection.

Once again, it is not impossible, but a determined effort will help you achieve your desired career.

Regards,

Leo Lingham

Hi Leo,

How are you? Thank you for your guidance. I will definitely try to follow the steps you suggested. However, the major issue I am struggling to solve is the salary concern. The current salary I am earning is $75,000, and following the method you recommended would mean a significant decrease, possibly down to $55,000. I am finding it challenging to understand how I can manage my living expenses with such a reduction.

I would appreciate it if you could provide me with more insights on how to address this salary issue.

Looking forward to your reply.

Most of the sales jobs in the recruitment field include:

- Base
- Commission
- Bonus on performance
- Plus the usual travel expenses, etc.

During the two-year period while learning/managing the career change, put in extra hours/effort to increase your commission/bonus. This is where you try to make up the pay packet.

Regards,
LEO LINGHAM