Know what to look for when reviewing candidate resumes

When reviewing candidate resumes, it’s essential to focus on specific qualifications, potential red flags, and overall alignment with the job requirements.
Below are key areas to assess when reviewing candidate resumes.
What to look for when reviewing candidate resumes
1. Relevance to the job description
- Ensure the candidate’s skills, experience, and education align with the role’s requirements.
- Look for tailored resumes that highlight relevant accomplishments and qualifications.
2. Skills and achievements
- Prioritize focusing on technical skills directly related to the job. When looking for soft skills, see if you can find work experience that showcases these skills.
- Find quantifiable achievements (e.g., increased sales by 20%) that demonstrate their ability to yield positive results that can benefit your company.
3. Employment history
- Assess job titles, responsibilities, and career progression that shows growth and an increase in skills and responsibilities.
- Look for promotions or awards that indicate strong job performance and work ethic.
4. Consistency and clarity
- A well-structured resume with no typos or grammatical errors reflects professionalism and attention to detail.
- Ensure dates of employment are clear and consistent, avoiding vague or incomplete timelines.
5. Education
- Confirm that the candidate meets any required educational qualifications, such as degree completion or certifications.
Red flags to watch out for when reviewing candidate resumes
1. Employment gaps
- While not always negative, unexplained gaps should be addressed in a cover letter or interview.
2. Job hopping
- Frequent short-term roles may indicate a lack of commitment or adaptability.
3. Vague or exaggerated claims
- Resumes lacking specific achievements or containing unverifiable claims may suggest dishonesty or lack of experience.
4. Generic resumes
- Resumes not tailored to the role may indicate a lack of genuine interest in the position.
5. Failure to follow instructions
- Ignoring specific application requirements (e.g., requested documents) signals poor attention to detail and disregard for directions.
Using a scoring system
To ensure objective evaluations:
- Create a rubric with criteria such as education, experience, skills, and overall impression, assigning scores (e.g., 1–5).
- Shortlist candidates with the highest cumulative scores for further consideration.
By systematically analyzing resumes for these factors, you can identify candidates who are both qualified and aligned with your organization’s needs while avoiding potential mismatches.
Reviewing resumes is a crucial step in finding qualified candidates for your open positions. However, it can often be difficult attracting candidates to your open positions or reviewing a high volume of resumes. Here’s where Addison Group can help. For more than 20 years, Addison Group has understood that great teams start with great people. We connect top candidates with innovative companies to drive your business goals. Let’s talk about how our team of experts can work with you.