Reviewing CVs

A CV is often the primary tool you have to make an initial assessment of a candidate’s suitability for a job role. So how do you maximise its value and make sure you are not missing out on the best candidates? And, without spending an agonising amount of time to do so?

To help you streamline this process and identify top talent efficiently, here are some effective tips:

1. Establish Clear Criteria: Refer to your job specification, role objectives and organisations goals to establish a clear picture of the skills, experience, and qualifications you require to make a successful hire.

2. Scan for Relevance: Begin by quickly scanning each CV to assess its relevance to the role. Look for a match to your ‘Essential’ criteria, looking for clear examples of similar skills, qualifications, experience, or achievements which demonstrate their level of competency. 

3. Education vs. Experience: Where you have stringent requirements on level of qualifications, take a closer look at experience or other training to determine if they have taken a different route to demonstrate their level of competence in their field. Be flexible to maximise your chance of securing the best talent (unless there is a legal requirement of course). 

4. Review Work Experience: Take a close look at candidates' work experience, have they worked for organisations you recognise and if not give them a quick search online to learn more about them. This will give you a better understanding of the types of skills and experience they may have attained. Job titles, responsibilities and key achievements are another clear indicator. Remember, it will never tell the whole story so think creatively about transferable skills.

5. Check for Career Progression: Assess the candidate's career progression and trajectory. Look for evidence of increasing responsibilities, promotions, and professional growth over time. A consistent pattern of advancement indicates motivation, ambition, and potential.

6. Consider Cultural Fit: This is particularly difficult to judge on a CV alone, but there may be clues based upon the types of organisations they have previously worked for, their tenure at each, progression, and achievements. Look for indications of alignment with your organisations values and goals.

7. Look for Transferable Skills: Identify transferable skills that candidates possess, even if their previous roles were in different industries or sectors. Transferable skills such as communication, leadership, and problem-solving are valuable assets in any role.

8. Check for Attention to Detail: Assess the overall presentation and formatting of the CV, as it reflects the candidate's attention to detail and professionalism. Look for well-organised resumes that are easy to read and navigate.

By creating a clear set of criteria and objectives, you can make better informed choices when selecting the top candidates for interview, whilst avoiding some pitfalls and missing out on great talent.

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