With the recent recession still showing effects on the job market, many employers have observed from their growing stacks of resumes, a wider availability of experienced workers as interested job applicants. As the employer, to effectively determine which resumes will lead you toward the top job candidates, keep in mind these helpful steps.
Check The Introduction
A surge of resumes often follow each job posting especially if posted electronically, and many of these resumes have canned cover letter introductions or none at all. Usually, unqualified or half-interested job applicants ignore writing such introductory statements. For those who do, pay attention to any personalization, correct spelling and grammar, attention to details, and the overall presentation.
Scan the Resume
Observe the general format, and assess the applicant’s organization and clarity of the content areas. Also, look for the applicant’s contact information – no sense in moving forward without it…or with questionable contact information (i.e. unprofessional email addresses or 800#’s).
Confirm The Minimum
Look for clear statements or indications that the individual meets the minimum qualifications of the job position (i.e. 4-year college degree or licensure).
Skin The Summary
An applicant who provides a customized summary statement of his or her qualifications and experience helps you to quickly see if the person’s characteristics fit your expected job profile.
Target Key Words
Quickly go through the resume, and capture important key words and terminology you expect the applicant to be familiar with. While acknowledging any use of industry acronyms, misspellings cast doubt on the applicant’s actual industry familiarity (or, at least, attention to details).
Identify Relevant Experience
A list of generalized work experience is a clue to stop and place the resume in the “no” pile. Take note of resumes itemizing specific work roles, experiences, and responsibilities that address entirely the job posting elements and job position criteria.
Review The History
While checking for any questionable timeline gaps, note the applicant’s connection of work experience. Keep in mind that, while an applicant may not have direct job experience in preferred areas, consider how certain work experiences may be applicable or transferable. For example, you may have an experienced office administrator applying for an events planning coordinator job opportunity.
Note The Miscellaneous
What other positive items (i.e. awards, industry / professional association membership, volunteer leadership) stand out?
Rank And File
Be sure to stick with your list of the key job criteria, discuss potential job candidates with other members of management as needed, and place each resume in the “yes,” “no,” or “maybe” folder.
Screen and Schedule
Email and / or call your “yes” folder job applicants, request them call you back, and see how they respond or follow-up to help you determine whether or not they make it to the next stage of the interview process.
Conclusion
Finding the right candidate for your company is critical, especially as a small business. Follow these easy steps, and you will be in the best position make that next rock-star hire!
Please contact us to see if MidwestHR, a Chicago PEO, is the right partner for your growing company.
MidwestHR supports growing companies by helping them simplify their business through HR Outsourcing. MidwestHR is a Certified Professional Employer Organization (CPEO) headquartered in the Chicago land area. As a CPEO, we provide business owners, CEO and CFO leaders with relief from dozens of time-consuming HR & employment related functions, while helping protect the business from ever-increasing HR demands and liabilities. In addition, our clients have the ability to offer “Fortune 500 type” benefits, while being able to better control their premiums in the process.
MidwestHR regularly works with all types of businesses, including medical practices, surgery centers, non-profits, professional service firms, technology companies, printing companies, religious organizations, start-ups, manufacturing businesses, trucking companies and financial institutions.