Sources Outside the Company

Direct Unsolicited Applications

All companies receive unsolicited “welkin” and “write in” applications for sales positions. Some sales managers favor immediate hiring of applicants who take the initiative in seeking sales jobs, the reasoning being that this indicates selling aggressiveness. Others reject all direct applications because they believe the proportion of qualified applicants from this source is low. The most logical policy is to treat volunteer applications the same as solicited applications applicants not meeting minimum requirements as set forth in job specifications should be eliminated; those meeting these requirements should be processed together with Other applicants. The aim should be to recruit the best qualified applicants regardless of the sources from which they come. Direct unsolicited applications do not provide a steady flow of applicants; the volume fluctuates with changing business conditions.