As the initiation step of the hiring process, resume screening refers to the process of scanning an applicant’s resume for key traits that match a job description or candidate profile that has been set for a position. Forbes credits Leonardo DaVinci for having created the first instance of a resume in his letter of appeal to the Duke of Milan, but we have come a long way since then, in curating the content of a resume as well as defining what resume screening is. While automation of the resume screening process is slowly gaining traction, the process is still largely manual.
Recruiters have their own set of guidelines on what they might be looking for, whether specific experiences, job titles, or soft skills that they can use to determine whether an applicant should be considered for further processing. The challenge lies in ensuring this does not become a game of keywords where hiring teams miss out on good candidates only because they did not write their resumes with the exact lingo. Glassdoor reports that there are usually 250 applicants for any corporate opening, while Team Stage states only 3 percent of applications result in an interview. Competition for employment is fierce and the resume screening process further adds to the complexity of hiring.
How to Screen Resumes
The resume screening process is a qualifying round for finding the right talent and it is important for companies to take it seriously to avoid hiring employees who may not connect with the company.
Step 1: Define Your Screening Criteria
Defining your hiring needs starts with being specific. To start with some tips for screening resumes, always highlight the importance of creating a job description and candidate profile for each role carefully. Soft skills might be necessary for a customer-facing role, while delegation skills might be more necessary in a managerial position.
The screening criteria for the resume screening process can be divided on the basis of compulsory requirements and preferable requirements, where the non-negotiables are separated from the negotiable qualifications. These qualifications can also be ranked according to company priority, so companies can find the right candidates at a glance. Novoresume reports that hiring managers spend only an average of 7 seconds looking at a resume so this can help ensure the relevant information is put first.
Step 2: Use an Applicant Tracking System (ATS)
Applicant tracking systems are automated resume screening platforms that parse resume applications for specific qualifications in order to filter out candidates who do not fit the job role. Many companies have turned to the automated resume screening process as a good way to create a pool of candidates who can then be interviewed and tested more easily. ATS systems simplify the hiring process by compiling all the applications in one place and having automated emails set out to applicants. Forbes recommends Freshteam, JazzHR, and BreezyHR as its top three automated resume screening tools for 2023.
Step 3: Screen Resumes Manually
An ATS is very useful in narrowing down the list of candidates but due to their mechanized operation, the system can sometimes filter out candidates for things such as incorrect font or formatting used. Keeping an eye on the system and manually scanning through its results to check if any candidates made it into the pool purely on an arbitrary basis can help refine the list of applicants.
Step 4: Create a Shortlist of Candidates
The resume screening process of the hiring cycle ends when the hiring team is left with a list of candidates who embody what the company is looking for. Here, we can create a consolidated page of candidates who can be further processed by the HR team to assess the actual abilities that the ATS used to qualify them. Business Insider reported that up to 72 percent of candidates misrepresent themselves on their resume, which makes the next rounds of testing necessary to assess their skills.
Tips for Screening Resumes Effectively
Having answered questions about what resume screening is, there are certain tips for screening resumes effectively during the hiring process.
Focus on the Most Important Qualifications
Not all criteria are equally important. Rank the resume screening criteria carefully before taking a look at applications, to know what to prioritize when you begin.
Be Aware of Unconscious Bias
Having personal opinions is inevitable but allowing them to invade the professional space is not ideal. Automated resume screenings provide an advantage in this regard as they scan based on objective criteria but even these can be tampered with. Diversity in the workplace greatly benefits a company as a whole, so if one finds their company lacking in this regard, it might be necessary to review the hiring process and identify the problem.
Look for Keywords and Phrases Relevant to the Job
TLNT reports that using industry buzzwords boosts a resume by 29 percent and leadership words boost it by 51 percent. While this data might be more invaluable to a candidate, review whether your own hiring criteria have defined keywords to guide what you are looking for.
Consider the Candidate’s Experience and Skills
Establish your own metrics on how to assess a candidate’s work experience. For some, that starts with the number of years working, but even someone with multiple years in the workforce might not possess the skills you require. Consider a candidate with a clear understanding of what their resume conveys.
Evaluate the Candidate’s Resume Formatting and Writing Style
Also included in the tips for screening resumes is an evaluation of the candidate’s resume formatting and writing style. This can tell you a lot about the candidate and their understanding of what you are looking for, including their attention to detail.
The resume screening process results in the hiring of employees who work at a company and it is crucial for recruiters to seriously structure their hiring process accordingly. While automated resume screenings are available to make this easier, companies can manage manually as well, with regular attention to the applications that are coming in and a careful perusal of the qualifications, skills, and other details.
Resume screening is an important glance at the potential of a candidate, and with the overwhelming number of applications a recruiter might receive, fine-tuning the resume screening process becomes increasingly important.