How to Quickly Review Resumes to Find the Best Candidates
Hiring is one of the most challenging tasks for those in leadership positions. The day-to-day needs of your company and team don’t halt just because you need to onboard a new employee. This tension is perhaps why many employers only review resumes for approximately 6-7 seconds each before making a decision about the candidate. When you’ve got hundreds of resumes flooding in, you need to be efficient in reviewing and making decisions about each one.
I’ve looked at hundreds if not thousands of resumes in my day. These four things helped me cull down my pile of resumes to just the top candidates.
Spelling and Grammar
One of the first things I’m looking for in a resume is proper spelling and grammar. This indicates not only a well-qualified and educated individual but also attention to detail. We all make typos from time-to-time, but a resume should be one of the times you aim for perfection. If a candidate is unable to proofread their resume, they are likely not going to be attentive to their regular communication in their new role.
Fluff or Embellished Skill
When reviewing resumes, especially for experienced hires, I want to see facts about their successes and skills. Terms such as “leadership skills,” “good communicator,” or “teamwork” don’t mean much if they’re not backed up by data. A good candidate will demonstrate how they led their team to success not just make claims that they did.
Longevity
A red flag on many resumes is a short tenure at many jobs or gaps in their employment record. Has the candidate jumped from company to company after less than two years in any position? An occasional short stint in a position could be caused by a number of factors, but if it is a habit, it could indicate some issues with commitment or work ethic. Not to mention, you will be wasting time training the candidate only to have them leave once they are able to really contribute to the team.
Career Progression
The last thing I look for is a logical progression in the candidate’s career. Have they been making lateral moves, or have they been growing and taking on more responsibility? Even better, were they given a promotion with additional responsibilities at one of their companies? This indicates they proved themselves reliable to their bosses who rewarded them with higher compensation and entrusted them with more leadership duties. I want to hire a go-getter, so demonstrated ambition is a quality I look for.
There are a myriad of things employers should look for in candidates, and many of these qualities can only be uncovered during the interview process. However, these four metrics will help you cull down your pile of resumes to a manageable level so you can take a closer look at qualified candidates, making the hiring process more efficient and effective.