Résumé and Résumé and Application Application

ReviewReviewHow to identify “Red Flags”How to identify “Red Flags”

during the screening process.during the screening process.

What is a “Red Flag”?What is a “Red Flag”?

A sign of warning or problem.A sign of warning or problem. Indicates trouble or “danger” ahead.Indicates trouble or “danger” ahead. Provokes an irritated response.Provokes an irritated response.

Method of SubmissionMethod of Submission

What is the source of the résumé or What is the source of the résumé or application?application? Personal email accountPersonal email account Current employer’s email accountCurrent employer’s email account Facsimile (Fax)Facsimile (Fax)

Inquire about computer skillsInquire about computer skills

Application completed off-site?Application completed off-site? Must complete and submit an Must complete and submit an

employment application in addition to employment application in addition to their résumétheir résumé

Initial Review ProcessInitial Review Process For “weeding out” unqualified candidatesFor “weeding out” unqualified candidates Job DescriptionJob Description

Allows you to focus on minimum qualifications and Allows you to focus on minimum qualifications and experienceexperience

Choose 3-5 key words from the job descriptionChoose 3-5 key words from the job description Questions to ask yourself during the reviewQuestions to ask yourself during the review

Does the candidate have:Does the candidate have: History of advancement & more responsibility in each History of advancement & more responsibility in each

subsequent position? subsequent position? Industry experience?Industry experience? Experience working at a company of similar size?Experience working at a company of similar size?

If this person applied directly for the position, would it be a If this person applied directly for the position, would it be a significant drop in responsibility / salary? significant drop in responsibility / salary?

Is the person overqualified? If so, are they willing to accept Is the person overqualified? If so, are they willing to accept a much lower salary? a much lower salary?

Employment GapsEmployment Gaps

Unexplained / Multiple Gaps in Unexplained / Multiple Gaps in EmploymentEmployment By choiceBy choice By circumstances beyond their controlBy circumstances beyond their control

Date RangesDate Ranges YearYear Month / YearMonth / Year Month / Date / YearMonth / Date / Year

Lack of LongevityLack of Longevity

Review duration of each position Review duration of each position held.held. Less than a yearLess than a year Temporary job?Temporary job? Reason for leavingReason for leaving

Career Plateau or “Gone Career Plateau or “Gone Backwards”Backwards”

Decreasing job responsibilitiesDecreasing job responsibilities Types of employersTypes of employers Job titlesJob titles Were shifts in career path “on Were shifts in career path “on

purpose” or a choice?purpose” or a choice?

EducationEducation

Omitted?Omitted? May not meet the minimum May not meet the minimum

qualifications in regards to education.qualifications in regards to education. Didn’t finish degree?Didn’t finish degree?

May have trouble finishing what they May have trouble finishing what they startstart

Ask what stood in their way of Ask what stood in their way of completingcompleting

Attention to Detail / Attention to Detail / MistakesMistakes

Spelling, Grammar, Punctuation, Spelling, Grammar, Punctuation, Sentence Construction, Tense Sentence Construction, Tense Inconsistencies, and TyposInconsistencies, and Typos Reflect carelessnessReflect carelessness Indicator of the quality of work you can Indicator of the quality of work you can

expectexpect May not proofread work on-the-jobMay not proofread work on-the-job

Too much / too little informationToo much / too little information Get to the point!Get to the point! No blanks on applicationsNo blanks on applications Résumés shouldn’t read like a bookRésumés shouldn’t read like a book

Reasons for LeavingReasons for LeavingResponseResponse Question(s) to AskQuestion(s) to Ask

Work Ran OutWork Ran Out Was this a temporary job?Was this a temporary job?

Did the job start as a temp job?Did the job start as a temp job?

Laid OffLaid Off What reason were you given for the layoff?What reason were you given for the layoff?

How much notice were you given prior to your last day?How much notice were you given prior to your last day?

MovedMoved Where did you move from / to?Where did you move from / to?

Did you resign from this position with adequate notice?Did you resign from this position with adequate notice?

If so, how much notice did you give?If so, how much notice did you give?

FiredFired What was the reason for being fired?What was the reason for being fired?

Did you agree / disagree with the reason given?Did you agree / disagree with the reason given?

TerminatedTerminated Why were you terminated?Why were you terminated?

Did you agree / disagree with the reason you were given?Did you agree / disagree with the reason you were given?

QuitQuit What lead to your decision to quit the job?What lead to your decision to quit the job?

When you quit, did you have another job to move into?When you quit, did you have another job to move into?

RetiredRetired Why are you re-entering the workforce after retirement?Why are you re-entering the workforce after retirement?

Medical ReasonsMedical Reasons Can you perform the essential functions of the job you Can you perform the essential functions of the job you are being are being considered for?considered for?

Multiple Moves to Different Multiple Moves to Different StatesStates

Ask what prompted movesAsk what prompted moves Relocation due to employmentRelocation due to employment ““Running” from the lawRunning” from the law

Inappropriate InformationInappropriate Information(Information that (Information that May NotMay Not be be

Considered)Considered) Picture (headshot)Picture (headshot) Race / colorRace / color Sex / genderSex / gender National originNational origin Age (date of birth)Age (date of birth) Political affiliationsPolitical affiliations Religious affiliations / beliefsReligious affiliations / beliefs Family status (married, etc.)Family status (married, etc.) Health history / conditionsHealth history / conditions Sexual orientationSexual orientation

Screening IdeaScreening Idea

Grid of Minimum QualificationsGrid of Minimum Qualifications

Applicant Applicant NameName

LicensuresLicensures Highest Level Highest Level of Educationof Education

Years of Years of Related Related

ExperienceExperience

Computer Computer ExperienceExperience

# of Jobs # of Jobs Held in Past Held in Past

5 Years5 Years

John DoeJohn Doe RN, BSNRN, BSN BS in NursingBS in Nursing 5 Full-Time5 Full-Time

3 Part-Time3 Part-TimeMicrosoft Microsoft

Word & ExcelWord & Excel22

Sally SueSally Sue NONENONE High SchoolHigh School 1 Full Time1 Full Time Microsoft Microsoft OutlookOutlook

11

Mary EllenMary Ellen PENDINGPENDING High SchoolHigh School

BSN PendingBSN PendingNONENONE Microsoft Microsoft

WordWord00

Tips and Other Tips and Other ConsiderationsConsiderations

Formatting issuesFormatting issues Conduct telephone interview as part Conduct telephone interview as part

of pre-screening process.of pre-screening process. Trust your instincts!Trust your instincts!