Resumes

Resumes

What the professionals look for in a good resume

Though they are normally only a page or two long, resumes can tell you a lot about a prospective employee. Here are a few things to look for when looking over applicants’ resumes:

  • Presentation and spelling. This one should go without saying. If an applicant can’t be bothered to spell the words on his or her resume properly or print it on a crisp sheet of paper, it shows a lack of care and a willingness to cut corners. We live in the era of spell-checkers, so it’s reasonable to expect that every word on a resume should be correct.
  • An objective. Look for a clearly-stated employment objective. You know exactly what you want in an employee and you should expect your applicants to know exactly what they want in a job.
  • Relevant skills and accomplishments. Seek out applicants who have proven they have the ability and experience necessary to perform the duties of the position you’re hiring for. Unrelated skills are nice, but you shouldn’t place too much weight on them.
  • Loyalty. Look for employees who have worked for extended periods with well-respected employers. Several short-term stints are a major red flag. There are exceptions, but a good rule of thumb is this: if an applicant has never stayed with a company for more than six months, it should raise serious questions about his or her loyalty.
  • Fudging facts. We’ve all manipulated words on a resume to make ourselves sound better (“janitor” becomes “sanitation technician,” etc.), but some people are brazen enough to lie outright. If something you read sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Be sure to follow up with the applicant and ask him or her to provide proof.
  • References. No matter how good you feel about an applicant after reading his or her resume, it’s vital that you take the time to do a reference check. Many entrepreneurs consider calling references to be a waste of time, but the truth is that it could save you a lot of time. Think about it - reference checks can help you avoid hiring someone whom you will spend time and money to train, only to fire when you realize that he or she isn’t a good employee. A two-minute phone call could save you that trouble.