Employ with Intention: Hiring and retaining top talent

Are you a candidate searching for a new job and perfecting your interview skills? Oppositely, are you a hiring manager who’s looking for your next top performer?

Regardless of which side of the fence you sit, there are timeless considerations that can help you stand out from other interviewers, managers and companies.

In our panel discussion “Employ with Intention,” Elizabeth Andrew (SalesCompete), Carissa Comp (GitLab) and Katie Capuzzo (WISE) shared strategies for interviewing, hiring, and retaining top talent.

Here are some key takeaways to guide you in your professional journey.

You're only as good as your...

Most sales teams get this wrong and say "you're only as good as your last week/month/quarter." It should be, "You're only as good as your drive, judgment and ability to influence." What are individuals doing daily? Are they putting in the right level of effort? Are they trying new strategies to influence outcomes?

No budget? No problem.

Extravagant trips are nice, but not always practical for companies to accommodate. Instead, managers should focus on the individual and learn what truly drives them. One person may appreciate an extra PTO day for a job well done; while another may value a monthly development meeting with a leader.

Culture counts.

As more companies embrace fully remote work, it's important to keep culture top of mind. This responsibility shouldn't fall solely on the HR/People teams. You're in the trenches daily with your sales teams, so take time to invest in them. Ideas: team Strengths Finders assessment, regular coffee chats, quarterly check-ins with the employees you interact with less often (ex: manager's direct reports).

Fortune favors the prepared mind.

How's that for a soundbite? When interviewing, it's important to research your interviewer, connect the dots and explain your experience (failures included) using the STAR method. Your attention to detail is also seen in your resume and Linkedin, so make sure grammar is correct and word choice and metrics are eye-catching.

It’s a win-win when as a hiring manager, you find someone who can help you achieve your business goals and as an employee, you are part of a company that prioritizes culture and leader engagement.

Want to learn more? You can stream the full event recording here.

Thank you to all of the WISE partners for making this event possible and our panelists for sharing their time and advice.