You're Getting Applicants - But Not the Right Ones

Struggling with unqualified sales applicants wasting your time? Learn why it’s happening and how to attract top-performing sales professionals instead.

Why Are You Getting Applicants, but Not the Right Ones?

Have you ever posted a sales job opening, only to be flooded with CVs that just don’t fit the bill? It feels like casting a net wide in the ocean and pulling in everything except the fish you’re after.

Sure, you’re getting applicants, but the majority of them aren’t the high-performing sales professionals you need. Instead, you’re left sifting through unqualified applicants in sales recruitment, wasting time and resources without much to show for it.

Frustrating, isn’t it? But don’t worry, you’re not alone. This is a problem that many businesses face—and it’s one that can be fixed. Let’s uncover why it’s happening and, more importantly, how you can solve it.

The Cost of Attracting the Wrong Applicants

It’s easy to think, “Well, at least we’re getting applications. That’s better than nothing, right?” But here’s the thing: unqualified applicants aren’t just harmless noise—they’re an active drain on your time, energy, and recruitment budget.

Here’s why this issue is far more damaging than you might realise:

Time Wasted: Every minute your team spends reviewing unsuitable CVs is time they could have used to grow the business or focus on strategic priorities.
Frustration for Hiring Managers: Constantly coming up empty-handed after interviews can demoralise your recruitment team and hiring managers.
Delays in Revenue Growth: Leaving key sales roles unfilled means missed opportunities to win new clients, close deals, and drive revenue.

And then there’s the risk of desperation. When a role remains vacant for too long, businesses often feel pressured to hire “the best of a bad bunch”—leading to costly hiring mismatches.

Why Traditional Recruitment Methods Fail in Sales

So, what’s causing this flood of unqualified applicants in sales recruitment? Often, the root of the problem lies in outdated or inefficient hiring strategies.

Let’s break it down:

1. Overly Generic Job Postings

Many sales job ads cast too wide a net, using vague descriptions like “must have sales experience” or “results-driven professional.” While this seems like a good way to attract more candidates, it actually does the opposite.

Without specific details about the role, skills, or industry, you’re more likely to attract applicants who aren’t truly qualified—or even understand what the job entails.

2. Relying on the Wrong Channels

Posting your job on general job boards or social media platforms might seem like a simple way to reach a large audience. But when it comes to sales recruitment, quality trumps quantity every time.

The best sales professionals are often passive candidates who aren’t actively scouring job boards. They need to be identified and approached directly, which requires more targeted efforts.

3. Focusing on the Wrong Metrics

Are you measuring recruitment success by the number of applications received? If so, you’re looking at the wrong metric. What really matters is the quality of those applicants and their fit for the role.

More CVs don’t always mean better results. In fact, it’s often the opposite.

The Impact of Poor Recruitment Filtering

When your recruitment process isn’t optimised to filter out poor-fit candidates, the consequences can ripple through your entire organisation.

Here’s how inefficient filtering can hurt your business:

High Turnover Rates: Hiring someone who isn’t a good fit often leads to early resignations or terminations, setting you back to square one.
Damaged Team Dynamics: A poor-fit hire can disrupt your current sales team, especially if they lack the skills or motivation to pull their weight.
Missed Revenue Targets: A bad hire in sales isn’t just a misstep—it’s a direct hit to your bottom line. Every moment they’re underperforming is costing your business money.

The longer this goes on, the more it impacts your company’s ability to grow, compete, and succeed.

Coburg Banks: The Answer to Unqualified Applicants

If you’re tired of drowning in CVs that lead nowhere, it’s time to consider a better way. That’s where Coburg Banks’ Sales Recruitment division comes in.

Specialising in finding high-performing sales professionals across various sectors, Coburg Banks understands the unique challenges of sales recruitment—and knows exactly how to overcome them.

What Makes Coburg Banks Different?

Here’s how Coburg Banks ensures you get the right candidates—not just a pile of CVs:

Tailored Recruitment Strategies: They work closely with you to understand your business goals, sales strategy, and team dynamics, ensuring every hire aligns with your needs.
Industry-Specific Expertise: Whether you need entry-level sales reps or experienced account managers, their deep knowledge of sales roles allows them to identify candidates with the right skills and mindset.
Proactive Talent Sourcing: Coburg Banks doesn’t just wait for candidates to come to them—they actively search for the best talent, including passive candidates who aren’t actively job hunting.

By partnering with Coburg Banks, you can stop wasting time on unsuitable applicants and start building a sales team that delivers real results.

What Could Your Sales Team Look Like?

Picture this: Your sales team is filled with high-performing professionals who not only meet their targets but exceed them. They’re motivated, skilled, and perfectly aligned with your company’s goals and culture.

With the right people in place, your business becomes unstoppable. Revenue grows, client relationships flourish, and your team dynamic thrives.

This isn’t just a dream—it’s a reality you can achieve with Coburg Banks by your side.