Sorting good and bad resumes

Recruitment · 20 Dec 2024

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When you post a job ad and receive hundreds of applications, with dozens that fit the job description and match your keywords, how do you differentiate between the many that are “pretty good” and those who would be a true asset to your business?
How do you spot the few who are exaggerating their experience and trying to bluff their way into something they aren’t quite qualified for?

Signs of an above-average candidate

• Listing accomplishments in previous jobs, not just all the responsibilities that were assigned.
• A resume that has been updated to highlight the most relevant experience and achievements. We like candidates who don’t waste time with unnecessary details, and fine-tune each resume that they send out.
• Referring to specific details from your job posting. This shows not only that they have read and understood your requirements, but that they are putting effort into the application – always a great way to start! 
• Honesty about employment gaps, reasons for leaving previous companies, and other items that are less than perfect. We’re all human and have to deal with life throwing various problems our way. We don’t believe in holding that against anyone, and find candidates who are honest about career gaps or other issues are often the people you can really rely on in the long run. 

Red flags to watch out for:

• Resumes that are out of date. We ensure that every candidate on the Supreme Jobs system updates their resume every six months, or they will not be able to appear in searches or apply for a job on our platform. 
• Resumes that talk about money earned rather than goals achieved. 
• Incomplete or vague information – all information should be clear and relevant.
• When they use all the right buzzwords but there’s no context or explanation of what was actually done. 
• Inconsistencies with the cover letter, LinkedIn, or other profiles. 
• Does the cover letter look like it was written by someone completely different to the resume writer? E.g. are there many typos in the cover letter but none in the resume? That’s a sign someone else wrote it for them. This is not always a dealbreaker, depending on the position, but it is something to be aware of. 
• Spelling – We don’t like to judge, but using spellcheck is incredibly simple. Not using it when writing something important like a resume could indicate a lack of effort.

Every job will have many different aspects and requirements, so of course these recommendations will vary in importance, depending on your needs and priorities.
As always, we believe that finding the best match should be tailored to your business, your team, and your specific requirements for that role. Try our advanced search options and find the candidates that are right for you every time.