3 Tips for Reviewing Candidate Resumes
As a hiring manager, you are likely to look through dozens or even hundreds of resumes when you begin recruiting. After a while, it can start to feel as though the information is blending together. However, there are a few strategic things you can do to hone in on the best candidates. Here are three things to look for as you review each potential employee’s resume.
1. Come Prepared
The first step in reviewing a resume is having a clearly defined sense of what is required in the job. Do you need someone who already has a background in the field or a certain level of experience? Some skills are transferable and if you need general qualities like detail orientation or leadership qualities even if the candidate doesn’t have direct experience, they still might be a great hire. It’s important to hone in on the specifics so you can categorize resumes according to how they match the job overall. The clearer you are on what the needs are the easier it will be for you quickly review each resume.
2. Categorize
Depending on the size of the pool of candidates, it can be helpful to have a yes, no, and maybe pile. People in the yes category are the candidates that are the best match overall. Potential hires in the maybe category may not be quite as strong of a match but may have other skills or experience that could be a fit. It is good to keep these resumes on hand in case something changes in the yes category in the interview process or if other positions open up in the future. Candidates in the no category can also be kept for potential positions at a later time, but these are the resumes that are obviously not a good fit for the current opening.
3. Pay Attention to the Details
Candidates that care about the job are likely to take time and ensure that their work is error-free. Grammatical or spelling errors can be a sign that the process was rushed. If you want to check for detail orientation you can put something in the posting asking all potential hires to include the answer to a question or a keyword in their cover letter to ensure that they thoroughly read the entire post. If you are highly interested in a candidate you may want to take your resume review a step further and look up their LinkedIn profile to ensure that all of the information matches.
Taking the extra time to do these simple steps can save you time and energy. We know this process can be taxing and time-consuming which is why at Source One we have recruiters on hand to do the heavy lifting. From recruiting top talent right down to background check screenings, we offer a variety of services that makes hiring a breeze. Check out our list of services and contact our office today to get the ball rolling!