Resume experts, recruiters are able to classify at the speed of light resumes into “yes” and “no” piles. So how can you go even faster and read between the lines to find out more about a candidate?
It takes HR professionals on average only 20 seconds to read resumes, or rather to scan them over. The first phase of sorting through CVs often comes down to identifying desired key elements. Some recruiters are able to do it in even less than 10 seconds, thus saving them immense time.
By being extremely selective about the prioritizing criteria, you can browse through a resume by focusing solely on those characteristics essential for the job.
In addition, looking at a CV for less than those 10 seconds is particularly appropriate in areas such as sales, advertising or communications. Professionals in these sectors have only a few seconds to convince their customers or readers. If they have a talent for capturing the interest of the public, it should follow that their resumes should successfully grab the recruiter's attention within seconds.
Danger!
The unwritten should also help gather valuable information about the candidate. CVs that are too vague are often a bad sign. Either the person has not taken the time to fit their resume to the job description, demonstrating a lack of motivation, or they cast a wide net because their job search is not well defined, having avoided saying too much for fear of revealing incriminating information.
A good way to avoid wasting time with some less interesting candidate is to study the CV’s structure. It is likely that a confused, poorly ordered or inconsistent resume was written by a person lacking logic or structured thinking.
Another element often regarded as an alarming signal for recruiters: frequent changes in companies. Yet, an increasingly mobile employee who can quickly adapt to change and be innovative is an indispensable asset to have in one’s team. That collaborator demonstrates quick learning, a high drive and novelty.
Watermarked clues
The companies for which the person has worked should carefully be looked at. Behind every strong and successful business lie high performers.
Recruiters will sometimes overlook the interests’ section, but it certainly helps to learn a lot about the potential future employee’s personality. Is the prospect a follower of contemplative activities like reading or film or, conversely, an action amateur, playing sports and often traveling? The former will more likely be comfortable in a position requiring observation, while the latter will feel like a fish in water in a dynamic role.
By Fany Bourrel – 37e Avenue