As recruitment consultants, we have noticed as would be expected due to the economic circumstances, a change from not enough applicants to now almost a deluge.

The particular position I reference here is one in ‘direct sales’ and that brings me to writing this article.

Of the over 50 applications received, only 2 applicants have direct sales experience.

The position is about developing, inspiring, managing and administering a sales team of around 30 across four locations – obviously a substantial position requiring substantial experience.

We have gone as far as posting on our web site, feedback to potential applicants about what ‘direct sales’ is, what to include in their application, job decription and more.

Even with this, we get applications so far from the experience base that they bear no resemblance at all to the demonstrated needs of the position; no attempt in the resumes to build a bridge between their experience and how that relates to the position.

Getting a job is not about quantity of applications but about quality and demonstration of energy, perception, care.

It is about helping the reader of the application, to translate from your work and life experience across to the positions job and person description.

If your experience does not match what has ben asked for, then making sure the reader understands how you see your experience and skills morphing across – why you are special and how that experience will allow you to overcome what they may see as lack of the type of experience they had set as their criteria.

When we work with an employer, we will often submit people outside of the criteria our client (the employer) has asked for.

In fact we will usually extend out placement guarantee on these people we select.

That will be because there has been a transference of experience and ‘dynamics’ that makes that candidate appropriate.

Sometimes perfect fit can be not as good – too much baggage, too much ‘fit’ that could cloud new thinking.

Answer: Send less resumes, take more time per resume. Tailor every communication exactly to the postion advertised. Make contact and ask for more information, the task of the resume is to get an interview!

If you make contact and you have some sense of energy and dynamics, then you could well get an interview, particularly if the position is direct to the organisation needing the person. First chance, best chance!

Rex Buckingham is the Prinicpal of Colour Thinking