Some Ways Employers Screen Out Candidates

Interviewing candidates takes up a lot of time for hiring managers, so almost every manager uses certain screening tactics to help predetermine your potential. Your cover letter and resume are important, but your reputation, the content you post on social media and the way you communicate with the hiring manager also influence hiring decisions. Following these tips can help ensure you do not lose out on a job during the screening process.

Google makes screening candidates a lot easier, so hiring managers often use the search engine to look for information on applicants. It does not matter if you are now the best candidate in the world; Google can easily find harmful information that is 10 or 20 years old. If you were arrested for a youthful indiscretion or participated in an organization you do not want employers to know about, there is a chance Google has the information somewhere in its library of data.

Savvy recruiters also use social media for candidate screening. If you use social media sites like Facebook and Twitter, position yourself as a professional. Try not to post inflammatory content on controversial issues, even if you have a strong opinion. Your profile is not the place for a picture that shows you drinking or participating in illegal activities. If you must post a photo, make sure you are dressed appropriately.

Candidate screening is not an exact science, but some recruiters do base their decisions on your phone manners. If you are rude and demanding when you call to check the status of your application, the recruiter probably is not going to move you forward in the hiring process. Unprofessional voice mail greetings are also a big problem with recruiters. If your outgoing message has loud music or profanity in it, delete it and record something more professional.

When screening candidates, hiring managers often turn to former colleagues. Your cover letter might make you seem like a great communicator, but a past colleague may tell the hiring manager a different story. Managers want to know that you get along with others, so contacting past co-workers is a good way to see if your reputation matches up with the content of your resume and cover letter.

Hiring managers review cover letters and resumes carefully when screening candidates. If your resume does not list a qualification mentioned in the job description, you might be out of the running shortly after you submit your application. It helps to use the job description as a guide when you write your resume. Make sure every qualification is mentioned at least once, or else you run the risk of being screened out early in the process.

Screening candidates is one of the best ways for hiring managers to sort through a high volume of applications in a short amount of time. If you want to make it through the screening process, make sure you are professional in your appearance and in your communication with the hiring manager.

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