What to Look for When Reviewing Resumes

What to Look for When Reviewing ResumesWhat to Look for When Reviewing ResumesYou can find plenty of advice for job seekers about how to write a killer resume. But if you are a hiring manager, do you know how to go about reviewing resumes?While it may sound simple, you should know what to look for in a resume. Its important to know where to start, what to avoid and how to evaluate each resume fairly so you can compare candidates objectively. Here are step-by-step directions to help guide you in your candidate evaluation process.Green lights starting your scanReviewing resumes is as much art as science. Part of the art of resume assessment is knowing what to focus on in your initial scan of the document. When learning what to look for in a resume, youll want to check for ansicht green lights to help you decide which applicants deserve a closer lookYes Industry experienceIf youre trying to staff a specialized or senior-level position, youll likely require six or more years of experienc e in progressively higher-level jobs (in the same occupation or field, of course) three-to-five years for a midlevel position and up to two years of damp feet in the industry for junior-level jobs. Depending on the position, you might also want to see specific certifications, degrees or other skills and credentials.Yes Relevant keywordsKnowing what to look for in a resume includes the ability to quickly find candidates with the right skills, tools and familiarity with processes in your industry. To that end, keywords can be a hiring managers best friend when reviewing resumes.Scan each resume for keywords that best fit your job title and description, giving more weight to those relating to the applicants most recent positions.Robert Half has been helping companies with their hiring since 1948. Let us help you.REQUEST TALENTRed lights schmierblutung red flagsWhen you identify the candidates with the most relevant industry experience, scan their resumes for these potential deal breake rsNo Lack of professionalismYou can assume that a resume reflects the highest level of professionalism that youll see from a candidate should he or she become an employee. The resume presents applicants with a chance to put their best foot forward, with ample time to craft and create a flawless submission - a situation that is not always possible on the job.Look for resumes that candidates clearly crafted with your job as the end goal.Therefore, as you consider what to look for in a resume, be wary of submissions that are not well-organized or contain careless mistakes, such as typos, spelling errors and poor grammar. Attitude also plays a role in professionalism. When reviewing resumes, pay attention to the language and tone of the resume and any accompanying job-search materials. They should be confident, honest and upbeat.Other red flags include those that indicate the candidate may lack professional maturity, such as nonprofessional email addresses, annoying buzzwords and the i nclusion of irrelevant personal information like birthdays or physical characteristics.Maybe Short-time mentalityDoes every position listed on the resume have a date span of six months to a year? While job hopping has become increasingly common, that doesnt mean that you have to like it as a hiring manager. Too many job shifts in too short a time period may suggest that your candidate wont stick around for you, either.If you take a pass on these applicants when reviewing resumes, you wont be alone A recent Robert Half survey found that when candidates chose to switch jobs more than five times in a decade, HR managers considered them to be job hoppers. As youre reviewing job history, look for employment gaps. While these may not rule out an otherwise stellar applicant, youd want any viable candidate to adequately explain these time lapses in an interview.Target above and beyondStill wondering what to look for in a resume? Once youve separated out the submissions that both meet your b asic requirements and avoid your red flags, its time to get down to brass tacks. Youre looking for a superstar, not an average Joe. Look for candidates with proven ability to get the job doneYes Tailored messagingSome candidates may pass your initial review, yet fail to knock it out of the park when it comes to convincing you that theyre the best fit for your specific job. If the resume and accompanying titelbild letter appear to be based on a template, implying that the applicant is sending out the same materials to multiple employers, think twice.Look for resumes that candidates clearly crafted with your job as the end goal. Top applicants will customize the resume they send to you, reflecting their skills and experience in direct relation to the job description and requirements that you posted.Read How to Choose Between Two Strong Job Candidates.Yes Quantitative resultsYour ultimate mission when reviewing resumes is to hire someone to help you reach your professional goals, as we ll as corporate goals. That means you dont want someone on your team who could embarrass you with their shortcomings.You can identify candidates with a history of delivering on specific objectives by finding professionals who quantify their contributions. Look for data, percentages, dollars and other signs of financial or quantitative impact. If you find a candidate who has proven their value in the past and has the numbers to prove it, thats golden.Out of all players considering the new hire, you as the hiring manager have the greatest stake in the outcome of the employee since youll be working the most directly with him or her. In addition, you want to limit turnover as much as possible by hiring candidates who are a good fit with your work group. With this in mind, do your due diligence and make it your motto to know what to look for in a resume. Making smart hires begins with these savvy tips for reviewing resumes.