Finding great sales talent has never been easy. But in 2025, it’s especially tough. The best reps are either happily employed or fielding multiple offers. Generalist job boards can be noisy, referrals are drying up, and LinkedIn feels more like a black hole with a broken algorithm.
Recently a gas station attendant was matched on LinkedIn for a Sales Director role at a Fortune 500 company.
So where do you find your next great sales hire?
Smart hiring managers are looking beyond the usual suspects. Here are five under-the-radar recruiting channels that can help you discover your next quota crusher—before your competitors do.
The trick is to dig in beyond the usual channels and avoid the crowded channels.
1. Niche Job Boards for Sales Professionals
Generalist job boards are flooded with applicants, but the most serious (and qualified) sales pros are heading to specialized platforms. One standout: TheQuotaBoard.com
Why it works:
- It’s tailored specifically for B2B sales talent
- Roles are categorized by experience level (BDR, AE, Manager, etc.)
- Candidates on the site are actively looking—and qualified
Bonus tip:
Niche boards tend to attract “quietly looking” reps who aren’t blasting their resumes across LinkedIn. That means less competition—and more targeted outreach.
2. Alumni Groups and Career Communities
Top salespeople often stay connected with peers from their previous companies, schools, or bootcamps. These networks are goldmines—especially if you’re hiring in SaaS, fintech, or healthtech.
Where to look:
- LinkedIn alumni pages for companies with elite sales orgs (think Salesforce, HubSpot, Oracle)
- University sales programs (e.g., Baylor, FSU, or UTD)
- Slack groups and Discord communities for sales professionals
How to engage:
Don’t just post a job link—ask if anyone in the group knows a rep who’s looking, or offer a referral bonus. People love helping their network succeed.
3. Sales Enablement and Tool Ecosystems
Reps who invest in tools and training are often the same ones who invest in their performance. Communities that form around tools like Gong, Salesloft, and Outreach can be surprising sources of talent.
Where to look:
- LinkedIn comments and user groups for major sales platforms
- Webinars or virtual events hosted by sales tools
- Certified users and super-users from your own customer base
Example:
Notice a rep posting frequently in the Apollo or Clay user group about prospecting strategies? That’s someone who cares about their craft—and might be open to the right opportunity.
4. Thought Leaders’ Comments and Posts
Sales influencers are followed by… you guessed it, other salespeople. The comments section on content from respected voices in sales can be a surprisingly strong sourcing channel.
Who to follow:
- Morgan J. Ingram
- Kevin “KD” Dorsey
- Sarah Brazier
- Jen Allen-Knuth
- Will Aitken
How to use it:
Look at who’s engaging with their content. These folks are often highly motivated, curious, and plugged into current best practices. Reach out thoughtfully:
"Saw your comment on KD’s post about pipeline hygiene—loved your take. We’re hiring for a role where that mindset is a big win. Open to chatting?"
5. Creator Platforms and Sales Side-Hustles
Today’s sales talent isn’t just dialing and demoing—they’re building audiences, writing newsletters, and launching micro-brands. These reps are creative, ambitious, and often ready for new challenges.
Places to explore:
- Substack and LinkedIn Newsletters on sales, prospecting, or negotiation
- TikTok and YouTube creators focused on sales tips or “day in the life” content
- Gumroad, Teachable, or Notion sellers offering prospecting templates or objection flashcards
Why it works:
These reps already show initiative, clarity of thought, and communication skills—exactly what you want on a sales team.
Final Thought: Start with Smart Niche Channels
If you want to hire better sales talent, you need to recruit where serious reps are already looking.
Generalist job boards are crowded and inefficient. That’s why more hiring managers are turning to focused platforms like TheQuotaBoard.com—a job board built specifically for B2B sales professionals.
Whether you’re hiring BDRs, AEs, or sales leaders, The Quota Board connects you with motivated, qualified candidates who are actively looking for their next sales role.
Skip the noise. Hire where sales talent actually goes.