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Anyone who has made a bad hire will understand the importance of careful applicant screening. Whether supervisors hire employees on their own or in conjunction with a human resources department, good applicant screening is an essential skill for finding quality new hires.
If you receive notifications of interest in a position by means of resumes, you can assume they contain the information applicants want you to know, and will be drafted in such a way as to put the applicants in the best light. While a resume can be used as a general screening tool, it should not be used as a replacement for a thorough employment application.
However, one advantage of having a resume in conjunction with an application form is that you can compare the two and look for any discrepancies in the information provided by the applicant. Another advantage, especially if it matters for the position, is to look at writing style, grammar, and punctuation. A resume is an important document in an applicant's job search. If not enough care has been taken to produce an error-free document, that may tell you something about the employee's attention to detail.
The importance of application forms
Whether you're taking employment applications online or on paper, be sure to have all applicants complete an application form. You should do this for a number of reasons:
- All applicant information will be in a consistent format for comparison purposes.
- The application will provide information on applicants that may be missing from resumes.
- You will get a feel for the applicant's qualities in terms of attention to detail and ability to thoroughly complete paperwork.
- You may get a sense of how serious the applicant is about the position. For instance, if there are areas of missing information or it is completed sloppily, the applicant may not be all that serious about the job.
- You will have the applicant's signature that all information on the application is true (provided you have that statement on the form). Later if it turns out the applicant falsified any of the information, it may be grounds for termination (if that is your policy).
Above all, it is important to be consistent in your review process. You may not receive resumes on all applicants, but do get application forms from all. You never want to rely on a resume alone for some, but not for others.
Your main objective in reviewing applications or resumes is to identify anything that might cause you to discontinue the screening process. In other words, you are looking for possible disqualifiers that indicate the applicant may not be a good fit for your organization.
When reviewing an employment application or resume, there are certain things you should look for. Check to see whether the applicant has:
- The basic qualifications for the position,
- Experience in a similar job or environment,
- The skills and knowledge associated with the essential functions of the job, and
- The required education, training, or certifications necessary for the job.
Examples of "red flags" would be:
- Gaps in employment dates,
- Evidence of job hopping,
- Vague information,
- More emphasis on earlier experiences or education than recent,
- Missing information,
- No reason given for changing jobs, and
- Job history showing a decrease in responsibilities.
Best practice checklist
- Always get an application form from all applicants. Don't rely on resumes alone.
- Use resumes to look for discrepancies between the resume and application.
- Look to see if the applicant has the basic qualifications for the position.
- Look for "red flags," or any kind of disqualifier.
Remember, careful screening of applicants is your first line of defense against a bad hire.