Finding the Perfect Fit: Recruiting Top Talent for Live Events and Exhibitions

About the Episode

Hiring great sales talent for events isn’t easy. How do you spot the right candidate when resumes all start to look the same?

In this episode, host Muhammad Younas chats with Jade Hollins, Managing Director and Co-Founder of Disrupt Talent, about what companies keep getting wrong when hiring for sales roles, and what to do differently. Jade shares exactly what top performers bring to the table, how to spot great talent even if they’re brand new, and why culture fit is more important than ever.

They also dig into real-world salary benchmarks, the must-have skills in today’s market, and how AI is (and isn’t) helping recruiters do their jobs better. If you’re hiring for events or thinking about your next sales hire, this episode will save you time and headaches.

Key Takeaways: 

• Look for salespeople who can hunt, not just nurture existing clients.
  
• Industry-specific experience is in demand, but personality and drive matter just as much.
  
• Fresh grads can succeed in sales roles if they have the right mindset and support.
  
• Culture fit is often the top reason someone joins, or leaves, a company.
  
• Hiring your first salesperson? Don’t expect them to do it all without structure and support.
  
• Great salespeople need clarity on where the sales process ends and project delivery begins.
  
• Compensation matters, but clear growth paths and values are just as important to candidates.
  
• Use AI to speed up screening, but human conversations still drive the best hires.
  
• Watch out for job-hopping red flags, but don’t judge without context.
  
• Set your sales team up with the tools and systems they need to succeed.