How to source and shortlist {role_name}

Where can you find qualified {role_name}?

Professional networks

  • LinkedIn, Xing
  • Relevant LinkedIn groups (e.g., Technical Sales & Solutions)
  • Revenue‑focused Slack communities (e.g., RevGenius)

Educational institutions

  • Alumni portals of top engineering & business schools
  • Campus placement cells
  • Continuing‑education bootcamps (e.g., Product School, General Assembly)

Company career page

  • SEO‑friendly title (e.g., Technical Sales Specialist – SaaS)
  • Employee testimonials
  • One‑click / easy‑apply form

Role‑specific job boards

  • SalesJobs
  • SalesGravy
  • Rainmakers

US job boards

  • Indeed
  • Glassdoor
  • ZipRecruiter

India job boards

  • Naukri
  • IIMJobs
  • LinkedIn India

UAE & KSA job boards

  • Bayt
  • GulfTalent
  • Naukrigulf

Remote‑only boards

  • We Work Remotely
  • Remote.co
  • AngelList Talent

What are the best practices for headhunting {role_name}?

  • Map target accounts – Identify competitors, partners, and vertical‑specific vendors where high‑performing sales engineers sit.
  • Leverage warm intros – Ask existing Technical Sales staff or customers for referrals; conversion rates are ~3× higher.
  • Personalise outreach – Mention a prospect’s recent webinar, patent, or quota achievement to stand out.
  • Sell the challenge, not just the comp – Emphasise technical depth, exposure to product roadmap, and opportunity to influence GTM strategy.
  • Move fast – Top Technical Sales candidates often juggle multiple offers; keep your process ≤ 14 days door‑to‑door.

"Find Talent Quickly" – Leverage Headhunting and Referrals

How to shortlist candidates?

Once you have started to get applications from applicants, a thorough screening process and shortlisting of prospects will help you make the most of your time spent with the most qualified ones. 

Automated shortlisting tools :

Automated screening quickly filters out unqualified candidates, saving time for manual review. This allows the manual process to focus on the most promising candidates, ensuring the best ones are considered for further evaluation.

Screening questions to auto-shortlist based on predefined criteria

like qualifications, location, experience, and skills. Either use job board or use an ATS such as whitecarrot. Here are some questions for {role_name}

  • How many years of experience do you have with CRM tools like Salesforce or HubSpot?
    Auto-reject if < 2 years
  • Do you have experience presenting technical product demos to clients?
    Auto-reject if “No”
  • Are you currently based in [location] or open to relocation/remote work?
    Auto-reject if answer doesn’t match job requirement
  • Do you have experience selling technical products (SaaS/Hardware/Automation tools)?
    Auto-reject if “No”

Skill based question to auto shortlist candidate

Analyze the skill test data to automatically shortlist top-performing applicants. (recommended screening test time - 15 minutes). Here are some skill test questions for {role_name}

Technical Sales

Ability to understand and sell technical solutions.

  • What is the primary role of a technical sales professional?
    A. Generate leads
    B. Offer discounts
    C. Bridge technical and business understanding ✅
    D. Handle complaints

  • At which stage do you typically conduct product demos?
    A. Prospecting
    B. Qualification
    C. Demo ✅
    D. Negotiation

  • What is a key benefit of using a CRM in technical sales?
    A. Bulk emails
    B. Social media tracking
    C. Pipeline and follow-up tracking ✅
    D. HR management

Product Knowledge

Understanding the product deeply to answer client questions effectively.

  • Why is product knowledge critical in technical sales?
    A. To sound smart
    B. To build client trust ✅
    C. To avoid legal risks
    D. To reduce marketing spend

  • What is the best way to learn product features?
    A. Attend HR sessions
    B. Hands-on usage ✅
    C. Competitor research
    D. Product brochures

  • How does product knowledge impact sales?
    A. Helps build trust
    B. Enables personalized demos ✅
    C. Reduces costs
    D. Speeds up hiring

Communication Skills

Clarity, persuasion, and handling client objections.

  • What matters most in a product pitch?
    A. Using technical words
    B. Speed of delivery
    C. Aligning with customer pain points ✅
    D. Beautiful slides

  • How does active listening help?
    A. Talk less
    B. Understand client needs ✅
    C. Remember names
    D. Be quiet

  • What’s the best way to handle objections?
    A. Interrupt and explain
    B. Provide documents
    C. Listen, clarify, respond ✅
    D. Escalate immediately

Note - Auto reject candidates if scores less than 70% in this section

One way video interview

Recruitment Bullet

Use tools like hirevue, whitecarrot.io to ask candidates pre-recorded questions about their experience and skills.

Recruitment Bullet

Use sample question given in scorecard.

Collect other information 

Recruitment Bullet

Collect data from shortlisted candidates, such as salary expectations and visa status.

"Shortlist in Seconds" – Use our CV scoring feature to get top candidate recommendation

Manual candidate profile shortlisting:

Recruitment Bullet

Thoroughly review the CVs of the top scoring candidates from the automated process

Recruitment Bullet

Look for evidence of the required skills, experience, and achievements

Recruitment Bullet

Review the candidate’s portfolio or GitHub repositories to see examples of their work.

Schedule recruiter calls with the candidate

Recruitment Bullet

Use a tool like calendly or whitecarrot to allow candidates to self-schedule calls based on your availability

Recruitment Bullet

Confirm the call details (date, time, dial-in info) with the candidate via email

What questions to ask in the recruiter phone screen?

Recruitment Bullet

 Use scorecard for rating candidates for recruiter

Recruitment Bullet

Sample scorecard : 

Criteria Sample Question Rating (1–5)
Communication Clarity “How do you explain product value to non-tech clients?”
Technical Understanding “Walk me through how you tailor product demos”
Sales Process Knowledge “Tell me how you handle pipeline and follow-ups”
Objection Handling “What’s your approach when a client says the product is too complex?”
Team & Culture Fit “What kind of sales environment helps you thrive?”
Recruitment Bullet

Check for consistency in responses from the candidates.

Recruitment Bullet

Record such scorecards in an ATS like whitecarrot or use google doc

Frequently Asked Questions?

What are the most common skills to look for in a Technical Sales candidate?

Communication, technical comprehension, product demo ability, client handling, and CRM proficiency.

How do I keep candidates engaged during the sourcing and shortlisting phase?

Fast response time, clear JD, share demo videos or product info, mention commission structure, and highlight tech stack.

How can I assess cultural fit during shortlisting?

Ask reflective questions like “What motivates you in a sales team?” or “Describe your ideal sales manager” and listen for alignment with your company’s style.