Is Your Recruitment Agency Just Forwarding You CVs?

Are you paying for recruitment expertise or just CV forwarding? Discover how poor candidate screening wastes time, increases turnover, and impacts your hiring success.

By
James Ball
,
Founder
of Coburg Banks
LinkedIn Profile
October 21, 2025

Are You Paying for a Recruitment Agency or Just a CV Forwarding Service?

Ever feel like your recruitment agency is doing little more than emailing you a pile of CVs?

If so, you’re not alone—and it’s a serious problem.

Many companies rely on agencies to help them find top-notch talent, only to discover that the “service” they’re paying for amounts to little more than CV dumping.

No real screening, no meaningful insights, and definitely no understanding of whether the candidates are a good fit for your business.

Sound familiar?

If your recruitment agency isn’t screening candidates properly, you’re essentially overpaying for admin work. It’s frustrating, time-consuming, and ultimately costs you far more than just the agency fees.

What Happens When Recruitment Agencies Don’t Screen Candidates?

Using a recruitment agency should feel like a weight off your shoulders. After all, they’re supposed to take care of the hard work, right?

But when an agency skips proper screening, it creates more problems than it solves.

Here’s what usually happens:

  • Overloaded Inbox: Instead of receiving a curated shortlist of candidates, you’re bombarded with dozens of CVs—most of which are irrelevant.
  • Wasted Time: You’re left sifting through stacks of CVs, trying to figure out who’s worth speaking to. Isn’t that what you hired the agency for?
  • Poor Quality Hires: Without proper screening, you risk hiring someone who looks good on paper but doesn’t perform in the role.

It’s not just annoying—it’s damaging. Poor recruitment processes lead to wasted time, higher turnover, and missed opportunities.

So, why is this happening? Let’s dig a little deeper.

Why Some Recruitment Agencies Rely on “Lazy Sourcing”

The truth is, not all recruitment agencies are created equal. Many agencies operate on a “volume over quality” approach, focusing more on sending as many CVs as possible rather than carefully vetting candidates.

Here’s why this happens:

1. High-Pressure Targets

Some agencies prioritise hitting targets over delivering quality service. Their consultants are incentivised to send out as many CVs as possible, regardless of whether those candidates are a good fit.

The result? You’re left with a stack of irrelevant CVs and no clear path forward.

2. Lack of Industry Expertise

Recruiting for sales roles requires an understanding of what makes a great salesperson: resilience, communication skills, and the ability to close deals.

Agencies that don’t specialise in sales recruitment often miss the mark, forwarding CVs from candidates who might not have the right skills or mindset for the role.

3. No Screening Process

Proper screening takes time. It involves speaking to candidates, understanding their experience, and assessing whether they’re a good cultural fit.

Agencies that skip this step are essentially leaving the work to you, which defeats the entire purpose of using them in the first place.

If you’re experiencing any of these issues, it’s time to question whether your recruitment agency is truly adding value—or just creating extra work for you.

The Hidden Costs of CV Dumping

At first glance, working with a CV-forwarding agency might not seem like a huge deal. After all, they’re still sending you candidates, right?

But here’s the problem: the hidden costs of this approach can be massive.

Here’s how:

  • Wasted Time: Every hour spent reviewing irrelevant CVs is an hour you could have spent on revenue-generating activities.
  • High Turnover: Hiring the wrong person because of poor screening leads to higher turnover rates, which are expensive and disruptive.
  • Missed Opportunities: While you’re stuck in an inefficient hiring process, top talent is being snapped up by competitors.

And let’s not forget the impact on team morale. A poor hire can disrupt the dynamics of your sales team, leading to frustration and decreased productivity.

Simply put, a recruitment agency not screening candidates properly is a liability—not an asset.

How Coburg Banks Does Recruitment Differently

If you’re tired of dealing with agencies that dump CVs in your inbox and call it a day, it’s time to consider a better approach.

At Coburg Banks, we believe recruitment should be about more than just forwarding CVs.

Our Sales Recruitment division focuses on finding high-performing sales professionals who can drive revenue and help your business grow. Here’s how we do it:

1. Thorough Screening

We don’t just skim CVs. We get to know each candidate—speaking to them in detail to assess their skills, experience, and cultural fit.

This ensures that every candidate we send your way has been carefully vetted and meets your specific requirements.

2. Specialist Expertise

Recruiting for sales roles isn’t the same as recruiting for other positions. It requires a deep understanding of what makes a successful salesperson.

Our team specialises in sales recruitment, so we know exactly what to look for—and how to find it.

3. Tailored Approach

Every business is different, which is why we take the time to understand your organisation’s goals, culture, and sales strategies.

This allows us to find candidates who not only have the right skills but will also thrive within your team.

The Benefits of Working with Coburg Banks

When you partner with Coburg Banks, you can expect more than just a stack of CVs.

You’ll get:

  • Time Savings: We handle the heavy lifting, so you can focus on growing your business.
  • Better Hires: Our thorough screening process ensures you get candidates who are the right fit for your team.
  • Improved Retention: By finding high-quality candidates, we help you reduce turnover and build a stronger, more cohesive sales team.

In short, we don’t just find people—we find the right people.

Ready to Work with a Recruitment Agency That Adds Real Value?

If you’re tired of dealing with agencies that prioritise volume over quality, it’s time to make a change.

At Coburg Banks, we’re committed to helping you find the sales talent you need to drive revenue and achieve your goals.

Learn more about our Sales Recruitment services, or book a call today to discuss your hiring needs.

Don’t settle for CV dumping—work with a recruitment partner who truly understands your business.

Coburg Banks Sales Recruitment

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