# Prospecting Competency Rubric (S-SEA Aligned)

> A five-level mastery rubric across the four core prospecting competencies: research, messaging, cadence design, and channel fluency, for grading rep skill level with real evidence and building a targeted development plan.

Free scorecard/rubric for sales leaders. Topic: [Cold Email, LinkedIn & Social Selling](https://www.peerlab.ai/library/topic/cold-email-linkedin-social-selling/). Published by PeerLab in the [Sales Enablement Resource Library](https://www.peerlab.ai/library/). Source: https://www.peerlab.ai/library/prospecting-competency-rubric-s-sea/

## How to use it

Score each rep against the four dimensions using the level descriptors as evidence anchors, then build a targeted development plan from the gaps instead of giving generic "do more outreach" coaching.

## What's inside

- The 4 prospecting competency dimensions defined
- 5 mastery levels (Novice through Expert) with clear distinguishing criteria
- Full 4x5 behavioral rubric matrix with concrete evidence-based descriptors
- Role-readiness map (what level a new SDR vs. senior AE should be at)
- Self-score vs. manager-score calibration rule
- An individual development plan template tied directly to rubric gaps
- Guidance on pairing this rubric with the SSI Tracker and Coaching Guide

Aligned to the S-SEA five-level mastery convention: **Novice → Developing → Competent → Advanced → Expert**: applied across the four competencies that make up real prospecting skill: **Research, Messaging, Cadence Design, and Channel Fluency.**

## The Rubric

| Dimension | L1 Novice | L2 Developing | L3 Competent | L4 Advanced | L5 Expert |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| **Research** (account & buyer intelligence) | Relies on name/title alone; no research before outreach; unedited templates | Checks LinkedIn/website before first touch; references title/company only | Reviews news, funding, hiring, or leadership changes; identifies a plausible trigger; references one specific relevant detail | Builds a mini account brief before multi-threading; connects the trigger to a specific business consequence for that buyer | Synthesizes signals across sources into a point of view the prospect hasn't heard elsewhere; research shapes account strategy, not just message wording |
| **Messaging** (personalization & value framing) | Sends unedited templates; message is about the sender's product | Mail-merges name/company; value prop is generic ("we help companies like yours") | Opens with a specific relevant observation; frames value against a likely role priority; one clear low-friction CTA | Reads like a peer wrote it; ties research to a named business outcome; pre-empts the likely objection | Gets forwarded/shared internally by the buyer; replies consistently name the specific pain, not just politeness |
| **Cadence Design** (multi-touch sequencing) | Single channel, single touch: one email, then nothing | Uses a pre-built sequence unmodified for account/persona | Builds a deliberate multi-touch, multi-channel sequence with sensible spacing and varied angles per touch | Adjusts length/intensity by segment and signal; coordinates with marketing/other sellers on the same account | Improves cadences using reply/engagement data; runs account-based, multi-threaded cadences across a buying committee; becomes the pattern others adopt |
| **Channel Fluency** (email, phone, social, video) | Defaults to one channel regardless of context; no phone/social outreach | Uses email and phone identically (same script); social presence is passive | Adapts intent per channel (email for depth, call for real-time qualifying, social for warm engagement); posts/comments with visibility | Uses video/voice notes for high-value accounts; times channel choice to buyer behavior; comfortable running a cold qualifying call | Fluidly switches channels mid-deal based on buyer signal; recognized in-channel voice that pulls warm inbound; mentors others on technique |

## Role Readiness Map

| Role / Tenure | Expected Level |
|---|---|
| New SDR (0–3 months) | L1–L2 across all dimensions; target L2 by end of ramp |
| Ramped SDR (3–9 months) | L3 across all dimensions |
| Senior SDR / AE running own pipeline | L3–L4, at least one dimension at L4 |
| Team lead / enablement / manager | L4–L5, expected to coach others at L3 |

## Scoring Instructions

1. **Self-score** each dimension 1–5 using the descriptors above as evidence anchors, not gut feel.
2. **Manager scores independently**, using real evidence: call recordings, actual sequences sent, CRM notes, message drafts.
3. If the gap between self-score and manager-score is **more than 1 level**, discuss the evidence discrepancy directly, don't just average the two numbers.
4. Use the **lower** of the two scores as the "official" level unless the manager's evidence supports the higher one. This avoids grade inflation.

## Individual Development Plan Template

| Competency | Current Level | Target Level | Evidence Needed to Advance | Practice Activity | Review Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Research | | | | | |
| Messaging | | | | | |
| Cadence Design | | | | | |
| Channel Fluency | | | | | |

**Example filled row:**

| Competency | Current | Target | Evidence Needed | Practice Activity | Review Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Research | L2 | L3 | 5 consecutive outbound messages each referencing a specific, verifiable trigger event | Build a 5-minute pre-send research routine; manager reviews first 5 attempts | 3 weeks out |

## Using This With Other Resources in This Library

- Pair a **Research** or **Messaging** gap with the **Cold Outreach Coaching Conversation Guide** to run the actual 1:1.
- Track **Channel Fluency** (social pillar) growth over time using the **Team Social Selling Index Benchmark Tracker**.