Hunt #21: The Power of Early Testimonials and References

Increase your candidacy & get hired!

Author

The Quota Hunter
November 12, 2024

Good morning hunters!

Today's newsletter covers tips on better utilizing recommendations & references, some recently captured HOT jobs I think are interesting, and words of wisdom to consider as you think about your sales career & journey.

Enjoy!

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Main Event

Overview

In my daily conversations with salespeople seeking new roles, three common themes often emerge:

  • “I’ve been laid off and need to start interviewing ASAP.”

  • “I have gaps in my resume, making it hard to get noticed.”

  • “I keep making it to the final stages but struggle to get an offer.”

In the first two cases, creating a strong LinkedIn profile and resume can attract more recruiters and help your application stand out. For those in the final stages but missing the offer, refining your “presentation” may be key—along with strategies to differentiate yourself from competitors.

In this guide, we’ll focus on using references and recommendations early in your job search to showcase your strengths as a salesperson, colleague, and team player. Let’s dive in!

Techniques to Enhance Your Profile with Testimonials

Too often, testimonials and references are “box-checkers” at the end of the interview process when they could actually build trust and excitement early on.

Consider adding customer logos to your resume for companies you’ve successfully worked with, especially if they’re target customers for your desired employer. Even more impactful would be a testimonial from a buyer at one of these companies. While this isn’t always possible (due to NDAs), asking clients with whom you’ve built strong relationships for a brief testimonial can make a big difference.

Similarly, references from former bosses, peers, or CEOs can help clarify abrupt job changes, layoffs, or shorter stints. While verbal recommendations are useful, written testimonials available upfront can have a stronger impact.

How to Showcase Testimonials

  1. LinkedIn Profile: Add testimonials directly to relevant job entries in the “Experience” section on LinkedIn. Many users are unaware they can upload “media” here. For example, Sam Struan demonstrated this by making his impact visible and accessible to hiring managers. This same feature could also include customer testimonials. See below:

  1. Supplementary Resume Tools: Use a (free) tool like TrackRec to complement your resume. It allows you to display testimonials from managers, clients, or peers to “verify” your eperiences to create trust that your accomplishments are real.

In Conclusion

Using testimonials and recommendations early in your job search can significantly increase your appeal to hiring managers. These endorsements go beyond ticking a box—they make you memorable by presenting real proof of your value, professionalism, and impact.

Showcasing testimonials on LinkedIn and tools like TrackRec can bring your achievements to life while erasing (or easing) and concerns a potential employer might have about your background. By proactively sharing these endorsements, you’ll make a lasting impression and increase your chances of landing your next role. Start gathering those testimonials now, let your strengths shine, and open doors to new opportunities!

Recently captured jobs found on Quota Hunters:

Quota Hunters is a community & job platform for salespeople that includes the ability to submit questions & get answers, more than 1,500 active sales jobs across the country, and so much more.

Account Executive jobs

Leadership

Account Manager/Customer Success

Words of wisdom

When asking for testimonials from former customers, approach ones who’ve seen firsthand the impact of your work. Keep your request simple and specific—mention the skills or achievements you’d like highlighted, and reassure them it doesn’t need to be lengthy. A brief, genuine endorsement can go a long way in showcasing your value.

That’s all for this week. Feel free to reply with any questions or feedback. Happy hunting!

Jay Green “The Quota Hunter”