Hannah Simons
Recent graduate from the Furza Academy, William Vale, has hit the ground running in his new role as an Inside Sale Representative at Hiring Hub, generating £25 ARR pipeline in his first week.
Preparing Hiring Hub for Growth
Hiring Hub is a Manchester-based recruitment marketplace that connects businesses with recruiters to help them find the best candidates and is used by major employers such as On The Beach, SSE, Henkel and Sega. After securing a multimillion-pound investment from private equity firm Monacosol to scale its operations, Hiring Hub partnered with Furza to recruit, build and train a junior sales function to support their growth journey.
Furza ran an extensive recruitment campaign to fill a dedicated assessment day of high-potential individuals to join the growing business. Hiring Hub selected four junior salespeople and successful candidates were onboarded to the Furza Academy, where they received 3-months of bespoke training aligned with Hiring Hub’s solution and desired outcomes.
We recently caught up with Furza Academy graduate, Will, who has had notable success in securing new business.
Fantastic to hear about your success Will, how have you found your new role as an Inside Sales Representative at Hiring Hub so far?
Really good thank you, it’s been great to get stuck in. The team has been welcoming and each day is different which I really enjoy. I managed to book six meetings in my first week which has been a real buzz, there is clearly a lot of opportunity in this market and I’m looking forward to seeing what we achieve as a team.
What made you consider a role in sales?
I actually came from an engineering background so I’ve always been a problem solver. Sales is a role that gives me the opportunity to help a business improve its process so it felt like a good fit for me. I’m also really social and enjoy that aspect of the job and getting the opportunity to speak to like-minded individuals, network and share ideas. I was drawn to the potential for growth and advancement opportunities that a sales roles provides. As I develop my skills and build those relationships I know there will be opportunities to take on more responsibility which was really appealing to me as a graduate.
How did you find the recruitment process with Furza?
I applied online and received a call from one of the Furza team the following day. The process was really straightforward, I had a short telephone interview and then they put me forward to the Hiring Hub assessment day where I got to meet the team and luckily was offered the role!
The Furza process was different from other recruitment experiences I had, they took the time to value and recognise my potential rather than just scanning my CV and putting me forward to a role that didn’t suit me. Hiring Hub is a fast-growing company with big ambitions and I really wanted to be a part of the buzz, so I’m really grateful for the opportunity.
How did you find the training with Furza?
The training was an incredibly valuable experience for me, not only did I learn about sales techniques and strategies, but I also got to practice those skills in real-life scenarios which has been invaluable moving into my new role. Building up my confidence on the phone in training meant that when I moved into the business I felt much more confident in my abilities. Now I have a solid understanding of how to identify and connect with potential customers, as well as how to build rapport and establish that initial trust – which has ultimately helped me book meetings and hit my targets.
The training was really comprehensive, covering everything from prospecting and lead generation to closing deals and customer retention. Furza made the whole experience really fun and interactive which kept me engaged and focused throughout. The trainers were really knowledgeable, supportive, and always available to answer any questions we had.
How would you say the training has helped you in your new role at Hiring Hub?
As someone with little to no experience in sales, I can confidently say that the Furza Academy has taught me everything I needed to know about my new role and how to succeed in it. The training was tailored to Hiring Hub, for example understanding their ICPs, services, solutions, and common objections for examples, which made picking up the role a lot smoother. It’s amazing to see how far I’ve come in such a short amount of time.
Hiring Hub puts a lot of emphasis on investing and developing junior talent in the business, do you think there are benefits to this approach?
In terms of creating a team mentality, definitely. Before you have even started the job, you’ve had a week of induction into the business and a month’s training together with the team, so you’re already close with the guys you’re starting the job with. It’s a really good way for you to connect with the people you’re going to be working with before you start.
What is the best part of your role at Hiring Hub?
Without a doubt the team. Having started my journey with the rest of the Furza Academy graduates and completing the training together in Manchester we’ve created a strong bond, overall it’s been a great experience for all of us.
What advice would you give to someone looking for a role in sales?
I’d say keep at it and always go the extra mile with your potential employer, reach out to them on LinkedIn, or thank them for their time if you interview - the small things don’t go unnoticed. Also, speak to the guys at Furza! They always have great opportunities available.
What are your goals for the future?
I know what I need to do in my role now and the targets I need to achieve, my goal is to smash those and have a great 2023 with the team. In regard to long-term goals, I’d love to work my way into a senior sales position as the company continues on its exciting growth trajectory.
Would you recommend the Furza Academy?
100%. I think everyone should be able to have the opportunity to get initial sales training before they go into a sales role. When I think about how challenging it would be to learn what I have, by myself or without the 1-1 support, I know I wouldn’t have had the success I’m experiencing. I’m really grateful to both Furza and Hiring Hub for guiding me through the process and making the introduction to my sales career a positive one.
“Will’s immediate success in the business is a testament to Furza’s knowledge of the junior candidate market and their expertise as a sale training provider. For me, the productivity we’ve seen from all our new team since they stepped foot in the business has been phenomenal - they understand our business, our processes, and how to help our prospects. Furza has completely removed the ramp time, eliminating internal stress and providing me with a team that can deliver results straight away.”
Jordan Lopez, Commercial Director, Hiring Hub
At Furza, we understand that success is based on the quality of the people that work in the business. To help businesses maintain growth and high standards, Furza is fully committed to finding, training and nurturing talented graduates to become the next generation of sales leaders. If you’re looking to build or grow your team, contact one of our experts today.
