How Can I Screen Job Applications Effectively?

30/07/09

When you post a job advert you’re hoping to find the perfect candidate that matches your exact requirements. Whether you get a response of 20 or 20,000 CV’s you need to know how to effectively evaluate every application.

Determining your criteria

It’s important to highlight the key things that you should be looking for so you can quickly evaluate all applications on a level playing field.

If you've created an effective job description you should have the basis for the criteria which you will mark all candidates against. These can usually be split into three sections:

• Technical –...

...Does the candidate have the necessary education in order to succeed in the role or do they have certificates relating to relevant computer software?

• Experience – Have they worked in a similar industry before or have they shown a history of success when managing similar budgets?

• Personal – Have they displayed examples of when they have used their communication skills or their creativity in a business scenario?

Once you have a good idea of what you're looking for, take a quick scan through each CV and discard any that clearly aren't going to cut the mustard. The more applications you have received, the more ruthless you can afford to be.

Developing a screening chart

Create a grid in order to see how each candidate measures up to the criteria. Either electronically or using good old pen and paper, put the names across the top, the criteria down the side and then go through each CV putting a score out of 5 by each.

For example, if your role requires a candidate to have a degree in History, you may use the following scores:

1. No degree or a degree in a unrelated subject
2. Degree in a related... continued on page two >

 

 

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