How Sonder scaled their junior sales function with Earlywork Academy
Our journey helping Sonder hire 3 junior sales reps who are over-performing and staying in their roles.
Earlywork hires
3
Fellows interviewed per hire
6
Earlywork rep retention
100%
100% every box has been ticked by the Earlywork fellows in terms of what I was looking for, so I’m very happy to extend them offers
The Challenge
In May 2024, locally-founded employee care platform, Sonder, had a team of 4 junior sales reps and were looking to double headcount in the next 12 months.
Beyond hiring, internal resources were also stretched to provide the required support internally for junior sales reps to success post-hire.
The Solution
After conversations with Earlywork in early 2024, the team were happy to go ahead with a partnership for the upcoming Earlywork Academy cohorts as an integrated employer.
Unlike other hiring solutions, Sonder received hiring support beyond a regular recruitment agency in three ways:
1) Early exposure to a graduating cohort
During an Earlywork Academy cohort, there are 3 guest presentations slots allocated to integrated employers to build their brand early.
Our cohorts run monthly with a pool of 25+ fellows to tap into with an educational experience.
Through Sonder's guest presentation, Conor was able to call out fellows who he was interested in interviewing based off their engagement and question quality.
Check out a clip from Conor Brockelsby’s guest presentation.
2) Seamless integration with the Sonder interview process
After a cohort of 25+ graduates, our Employer Success Manager worked collaboratively with Conor & Kieran to curate introductions 5+ high fit fellows.
The Sonder team were able to view detailed profiles on each fellow and schedule them into a group interview at their office.
Check out what Reyanna’s profile looked like:
3) 1:1 sales & career coaching for hired fellows
Sales managers in fast growing sales organisations are often stretched for time, making it hard to provide the amount of 1:1 time required to help junior sales reps ramp faster.
That’s why all Earlywork fellows are put through our 4-week in-house graduate program, Earlywork Accelerator, and receive regular 1:1 coaching from the team alongside their company onboarding program.
The Results
Faster junior sales rep ramp time
Reyanna has already started booking meetings! It’s a great experience working with her so far.
Accelerate junior sales hiring plans
Due to Reyanna's time to ramp, Conor was looking to continue growing his team.
Within 10 days of re-engaging Earlywork for more fellow profiles, the Sonder team made an offer to Lachlan Carfax, quickly followed with another to Ewan Macdonald.
Check out Lachlan in his new starter photo!
Where To From Here?
Check out Earlywork Talent, Australia’s first dedicated hiring & retention solution for sales teams.
Hire with speed and quality from our pool of 25+ qualified job seekers who want to start a sales career every month, and Improve ramp, performance and retention with our in-house 1:1 rep coaching, exclusive community events and cohort-based grad program.
