5 WAYS EMPLOYERS SCREEN OUT THE BEST CANDIDATE

Jeff Mignault • June 27, 2017

We all want to hire the best candidate. However, separating the best candidate from the crowd is challenging. With so many applicants, and some very similar, it is tough to distinguish between them.

EFFECTIVE WAYS TO SCREEN FOR THE BEST CANDIDATE

Here are some strategies to use to identify and separate the best candidates from the pool of applicants:

1. REFRESH SCREENING CRITERIA:

If your organization has been having difficulty finding the best candidates, then perhaps it’s time to refresh your approach in how you attempt to identify the best candidates. This could mean refreshing job descriptions, interview questions and how you check references.

2. JOB ADS:

If you have poor job ads, then you will attract a poor pool of candidates. Finding the best candidates starts with writing an engaging and specific job description that explains exactly what you are seeking and what the role entails. Be direct and to the point.

3. ASK THE RIGHT QUESTIONS:

A canned selection of generic interview questions will not do most candidates any justice. If you want to find the best candidate, then you need to ask challenging questions. “The only thing that limits a company from finding the right fit is having a management team that is afraid to ask candidates to validate their own experiences. People can say anything; however, it’s the people who execute who rise above. Whether the interview is in person, via email or on a video call, ask people to demonstrate their accomplishments and make objective decisions based on their results,” says Tom Gimbel on Entrepreneur.

4. USE A COMBINATION OF STRATEGIES:

There is no one perfect screening strategy that will help you identify the best candidate. Every job and hiring process is unique. While using keyword algorithms to screen resumes can provide you with some good information, it’s not a replacement for reviewing resumes, or having a phone or video interview. Use all the resources you have to make the most informed and educated decision possible.

5. WORK WITH AN HR RECRUITER:

Sometimes you need to go outside of the organization if you want to improve your recruiting efforts. Working with an HR recruiter can provide you with some key insights into hiring best practices and help you improve your approach to hiring. Plus, a fresh set of eyes can help identify potential issues preventing you from finding the best candidates.