Gone in thirty seconds: How to sift through a resume

One major aspect of the hiring process is reviewing candidate resumes. This process can sometimes be time consuming and stressful. However, if you take the extra time to thoroughly review resumes, you can effectively identify the most qualified candidates.

Here are some key areas to focus on when reviewing resumes:

• Job Description/ Candidate Profile: Reviewing a resume starts with a job description or candidate profile so you know broadly what the job entails. Part of the job description, in an effective job description, details the qualifications and experience of the candidate you seek to fill the job.
• Errors. Carefully review the resume to make sure it does not contain any spelling or grammatical errors, is poorly organized, sloppy, or hard to read. These will be clear signs their attention to detail and may give you a clear sign on their quality of work.
• Content. Make sure that the objective of an applicant matches your current openings. Review their work experience, job progression, job titles, education or special training to make sure they meet the minimum job requirements. Their salary requirements should also be reviewed to see if it is compatible.
• Patterns. Check to see if the applicant has been on an upward track in their career, hit a plateau, or started a descent. Any employment gaps should be noted and asked to be explained if you decide to interview the person. Reviewing the employment dates of how long a candidate has been at a job can show if the applicant is a long-term employee or only stays at a company for a certain amount of time.
• Inconsistencies. Examine dates and facts to make sure that everything matches up. More information will need to be gained to clarify scenarios in which the applicant failed to justify the dates.

Following are the points that should be evaluated at the time of resume screening:

• Career Stability/ Employment gaps
• Strong career objectives
• Achievements
• Clearly written / Spelling and Grammatical errors
• Evidence of decreasing responsibility
• Evidence of a career that has reached a plateau or gone backwards
• Short term employment at several jobs, and
• Multiple shifts in career path

From: Mobilink