Reviewing resumes is a key part of the hiring process. But what exactly should you be looking for? Here are some things to pay attention to on any candidate’s resume.
Experience
The Experience section of a resume will let you know whether the candidate has done similar work before. Some people will have an exact match, having done the same job in the same industry. Others will have a related match, in which they did the same job in a different industry or a different job in the same industry. Both types of experience can be helpful, whether they were paid or volunteer positions.
Also look for progressive responsibility, which shows that the candidate was a trusted and valuable employee. And consider their accomplishments, such as major projects completed, or large amounts of money saved.
Education
You’ll want to know the candidate’s educational background, though which school they attended is generally unimportant. If the person doesn’t have a lot of experience, you can use this section to determine what type of knowledge and background they might have. Professional certifications are also generally listed in this section.
Skills
Most people now include a Skills section on their resume. Don’t discount an otherwise promising candidate if they are lacking a skill or two, as these can usually be taught on the job. But you’ll want someone who already has at least some familiarity with the most important competencies for the role. If specific skills are critical for the position, you can conduct skills assessments later in the hiring process.
Values
A shared set of values can help determine if a candidate is the right fit for a role. While it can be tough to determine values from a resume, you can find some clues. Take a deeper look at the candidate’s career journey. Is the person a job hopper? An ambitious career ladder climber? Do their accomplishments primarily reflect helping others or saving money or some other factor? You can further assess the person’s values during the interview, but the resume can provide some important initial information.
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