Even with investments in automation, artificial intelligence, and technology, a company’s human capital is still one of its most significant resources. Thus, it is essential to thoroughly examine resumes to avoid mistakes while hiring staff.

However, the document’s practical experiences shouldn’t be the only thing considered in a decent rating. Among other things, it should take into account the outcomes attained, the professional’s future goals, and compatibility with the company culture.

When assessing applicants, it’s critical to adhere to best practices in order to prevent errors and improve your chances of a successful hire. Do you want to know more? Discover 7 pointers to use while evaluating resumes!

Why is it important to do good resume analysis?

The selection process represents a two-way street. After all, both the company needs to trust the candidate’s skills and the candidate must determine whether this is a worthwhile opportunity for their career path.

In this context, a bad hire often translates into several disadvantages for the company’s daily operations. One of the main ones is costs, as there are financial and operational investments involved in a selection process by human resources departments or managers.

Employee turnover is therefore decreased by selecting the best candidate early on. A candidate is more likely to stay with the organization and advance their career if they fit the job description.

Examining resumes in-depth also ensures that the post is filled more swiftly and expedites the selection process. Inadequate initial screening can lead to more time spent on tests and interviews, as well as a higher chance of hiring the wrong person.

Additionally, thorough analysis aids in locating talent that complements the goals and values of the business. This reduces the likelihood of both parties’ expectations being unmet as well as the additional costs associated with new training and selection procedures.

How to avoid mistakes when reviewing your resume? Discover 7 tips!

Follow these 7 tips to increase your chances of getting the job right!

1. Analyze professional development

The candidate’s professional development is the first piece of data to be examined. Keep an eye out for changes like promotions and more responsibility.

These elements aid in determining whether professional growth has occurred during a specific time frame. Additionally, a steady record frequently indicates stability and dedication, albeit these are not assurances.

2. Consider experience time

The duration of experience in roles directly or indirectly relevant to the post is part of an in-depth investigation, much like the candidate’s professional progress. Thus, take into account how long each position will last as well as the degree of responsibility needed for it.

For senior and leadership positions, for example, candidates are expected to have more experience than for junior positions. On the other hand, for entry-level positions, there’s no problem with limited experience, but growth potential should be considered.

3. Evaluate extracurricular information

The resume review stage shouldn’t focus solely on the candidate’s professional background. Considering extracurricular activities can help you find a proactive candidate seeking to improve their skills through courses and specializations. 

This additional information also enriches the professional profile, highlighting characteristics such as dedication and social responsibility. Thus, extracurricular activities often reveal a lot about the candidate’s attributes and interests.

4. Study skills and competencies

Before posting a job opening, define which hard and soft skills are required for the position. This initial selection tends to help with the resume selection process. 

Therefore, before choosing a candidate, take into account whether they satisfy the specified requirements. In general, it’s wise to search for abilities like critical thinking, leadership, teamwork, and efficient communication.

A strong applicant can, for instance, highlight accomplishments and effects made at prior employers in addition to listing their duties. Look for indicators, pertinent projects, and contributions that show exceptional performance in your analysis.

5. Pay attention to the job description

A direct comparison of the resume and the job requirements is necessary for a comprehensive examination. To ascertain whether an applicant has the training, experience, and abilities required for the role, the job description acts as a guide.

Both the employee and the company can avoid disappointment by making sure the candidate’s profile matches the requirements of the position. Remember that in order to make the best decision, the process calls for dedication and strategic vision.

Consider a business seeking to hire a junior analyst to gain a better understanding of this. A expert with a lot of experience can initially appear like a suitable fit in this situation.

They will be deemed overqualified for the role, nevertheless. High turnover and frustration may result from this circumstance.

6. Identify possible gaps or inconsistencies

When performing the analysis, be aware of prolonged periods of unemployment or data that contradicts one another. Although these elements shouldn’t be taken for granted, they should be discussed in interviews in order to learn more about the background and driving forces behind the choices.

While discrepancies may be the consequence of typos or inadvertent omissions, gaps in your resume may reflect time spent studying, traveling, or working on personal projects. Clarifying these matters is crucial before choosing a course of action.

7. Check cultural compatibility

The candidate’s compatibility with the company’s organizational culture is usually credited with long-term success. Conflict might arise when a professional possesses the best technical credentials but their actions and values do not match those of the hiring organization.

A positive relationship with the current team can be ensured by evaluating elements like ethics, adaptability, vision, and teamwork. The workplace can be improved by giving resumes careful thought.