4 Red Flags to Look for When Screening Job Candidates

Posted On: February 27, 2015

You’ve posted your ad for an open job. Suddenly, countless resumes begin pouring into your inbox. As you begin screening candidates to consider for the job you quickly realize that not every resume is equal. So how can you determine which candidates are right for moving forward in the process? As you read resumes and conduct initial phone screens, keep these 4 warning signs in mind to help you streamline the process.

Inaccurate Information

This covers a wide range of data but it may be pretty easy to spot some instances of inaccurate information. For example, some of the dates may be wrong or overlapping and there is no further explanation for it. Some inaccuracies will be more difficult to determine so you have to keep a close eye on the resume and resulting phone conversation.

Lack of Knowledge About Your Company

When people are unemployed for a long period of time it is easy to see how they can get frustrated with the experience of searching for a new job. But, this is not a reason to become lazy in the process. If a candidate doesn’t even know what company they are applying for they shouldn’t be considered further.

Unable to Provide Specifics About Experience

If they can’t back up the accomplishments they’ve shared on their resume with real life details they may not be entirely truthful about what they’ve done in their career. If they can’t provide data, even ballpark figures, then you may want to reconsider them as a candidate.

Avoiding Spelling Errors

And, of course, you don’t want to consider a candidate who has too many errors on their resume. Some of the worst that have crossed recruiter’s desks is misspelled company names, incorrect salary information, and the inability to provide a positive reference. If any of these trigger your red flag responses, you should walk away.

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