3 of 11 in Series:
The Essentials of Hiring Employees
Anyone who does any research at all into how to find a job knows how to write a resumé that puts him in the best light. Based on resumés alone, you'd think that all job applicants are such outstanding prospects that you could hire them sight unseen. But regardless of how polished applicants' resumes are, they can still reveal a wealth of information about the job applicants and whether your business could use them — after you crack the code.
Here are some of the resumé characteristics that generally (although not always) describe a candidate worth interviewing:
A lot of details: As a rule, The more detailed applicants are in their descriptions of what they did and accomplished in previous jobs, the more reliable the information is.
A history of stability and advancement: The applicant’s work history should show a steady progression into greater responsibility and more important positions.
A strong, well-written cover letter: Assuming that the candidate wrote the letter, the cover letter is generally a good indication of his overall communication skills.
Sometimes, what’s not in a resume or what’s mistakenly done can reveal quite a bit about a candidate:
Sloppy overall appearance: A fairly reliable sign that the candidate is lacking in professionalism and business experience.
Unexplained chronological gaps: Such gaps in an employment history could mean either that the candidate was unemployed (which is no reason not to hire someone) or that the candidate is deliberately concealing certain information (potentially dangerous).
Static career pattern: A sequence of jobs that doesn’t indicate increasing responsibility may indicate a problem — the person wasn’t deemed fit for a promotion or demonstrated a lack of ambition.
Typos and misspellings: Generally speaking, typos in cover letters and resumés may signify carelessness or a cavalier attitude. Not proofreading a resumé or not having someone else do it may be a sign that the candidate isn’t conscientious.
Vaguely worded job descriptions: Before you go any further, find out what a “coordinator of special projects” actually does.
Weasel wording: Phrasing such as “participated in,” “familiar with,” “in association,” and so on can indicate that the applicant may not have the actual experience he’s claiming.
Job hopping: A series of many jobs held for short periods of time may signal an unstable or problem employee or a chronic “job-hopper.”
Overemphasis on hobbies or interests outside of work: This kind of emphasis may indicate an applicant who’s unwilling to work extra hours or put in an extra effort.
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Source:http://www.dummies.com/how-to/content/how-to-read-job-applicants-resumes.html
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