Resume Screener and Score Checklist

General Information

  • Ensure the name is clearly stated at the top.
  • Check for a valid phone number with area code.
  • Look for a complete mailing address, including city and state.
  • Confirm the information matches any application forms.
  • Identify an email format that includes the candidate's name.
  • Avoid emails with unprofessional elements (e.g., nicknames, random numbers).
  • Ensure the domain is a recognized provider (e.g., Gmail, company domain).
  • Verify the email is functional by checking for typos.
  • Check the file extension (e.g., .pdf, .docx).
  • Open the file to ensure it is not corrupted.
  • Look for any instructions in the job posting regarding format.
  • Verify compatibility with common software for reading resumes.
  • Look for a brief statement at the beginning of the resume.
  • Evaluate clarity and relevance to the job description.
  • Check for alignment with applicant's career goals.
  • Search for URLs in the contact information section.
  • Ensure links lead to professional profiles or portfolios.
  • Confirm that links are active and correctly formatted.
  • Review employment history for chronological order.
  • Identify any unexplained gaps or overlaps in dates.
  • Note discrepancies for potential follow-up questions.
  • Scan the document for spelling mistakes.
  • Look for grammatical issues and awkward phrasing.
  • Suggest using spell-check tools for accuracy.
  • Assess language and keywords matching the job description.
  • Check for relevant skills and experiences highlighted.
  • Look for adjustments made from previous resumes.
  • Inspect header font style and size for uniformity.
  • Check alignment and spacing consistency.
  • Ensure professional appearance is maintained throughout.
  • Identify a separate section for certifications or licenses.
  • Verify relevance to the job being applied for.
  • Ensure proper formatting and clear presentation.
  • Look for exclusion of sensitive personal details.
  • Confirm compliance with privacy standards.
  • Check for adherence to application guidelines.
  • Count the number of pages in the document.
  • Ensure content is concise and relevant.
  • Verify compliance with length requirements.

Education

  • Identify the specified degree(s) in the job description.
  • Ensure the candidate lists the required degree(s) on their resume.
  • Note any degrees that are not relevant or missing.
  • Research the institution to confirm its accreditation status.
  • Check for regional or national accreditation recognition.
  • Ensure the institution is reputable within the industry.
  • Look for the graduation date listed on the resume.
  • Verify if the date aligns with the experience timeline.
  • Check for 'expected graduation' dates if applicable.
  • Scan for coursework related to the job requirements.
  • Identify any honors or awards mentioned.
  • Evaluate the relevance of coursework to the position.

Work Experience

  • Determine the minimum years specified in the job description.
  • Sum total years from all relevant positions listed.
  • Ensure the candidate meets or exceeds the required experience.
  • Review job titles for relevance to the applied position.
  • Confirm employment dates align with the candidate's timeline.
  • Look for any significant gaps in employment and note them.
  • Identify key skills and responsibilities from the job description.
  • Match previous roles to those key skills and responsibilities.
  • Evaluate overall alignment of past experience with current position.
  • Search for metrics, percentages, or specific outcomes.
  • Highlight achievements that demonstrate impact in previous roles.
  • Assess the clarity and relevance of described responsibilities.

Skills

  • Review the job description for essential skills.
  • List skills explicitly mentioned in the description.
  • Highlight key technical competencies necessary for the role.
  • Check for alignment with industry standards.
  • Identify soft skills mentioned in the job description.
  • Look for descriptors like teamwork, communication, or adaptability.
  • Evaluate how the candidate articulates these skills.
  • Assess examples demonstrating these soft skills in action.
  • Cross-check listed certifications against industry requirements.
  • Confirm the validity and relevancy of each certification.
  • Note any expired or outdated certifications.
  • Evaluate the significance of licenses for the position.
  • Look for specific indicators of proficiency (e.g., years of experience).
  • Evaluate the depth of knowledge in listed skills.
  • Consider context or examples that demonstrate skill usage.
  • Check for any quantitative measures of proficiency.
  • Match candidate skills with job requirements.
  • Identify skills that are directly applicable to the role.
  • Consider industry relevance and job market trends.
  • Prioritize skills that align with company goals.
  • Search for quantifiable achievements in the resume.
  • Evaluate descriptions of past projects or roles.
  • Identify key performance indicators related to skills.
  • Assess the clarity of examples provided.
  • Identify skills that are not role-specific.
  • Evaluate how these skills can benefit various positions.
  • Consider the candidate's versatility in different contexts.
  • Highlight adaptability and learning agility.
  • Look for niche skills that are rare in the field.
  • Assess how these unique skills contribute to the position.
  • Evaluate the candidate's ability to leverage these skills.
  • Consider the potential impact on team dynamics.
  • Determine if the candidate has a diverse skill set.
  • Evaluate the balance between generalist and specialist skills.
  • Consider how breadth of skills aligns with role requirements.
  • Assess adaptability for multiple roles or tasks.
  • Identify essential skills missing from the candidate's profile.
  • Compare skills with job description requirements.
  • Evaluate the potential impact of these gaps.
  • Consider the importance of these skills for success.
  • Look for examples of rapid skill acquisition.
  • Assess the candidate's adaptability to new environments.
  • Evaluate comments on learning opportunities taken.
  • Consider past experiences that demonstrate quick learning.
  • Research current industry trends and skills in demand.
  • Check for alignment with emerging technologies or practices.
  • Assess if the candidate stays updated with industry changes.
  • Consider certifications or training related to trends.
  • Evaluate the detail in skill descriptions.
  • Look for clear, concise language used to describe skills.
  • Assess whether skills are presented in an understandable manner.
  • Consider the impact of ambiguous descriptions on evaluation.
  • Match stated skills with roles and responsibilities listed.
  • Look for corroborating evidence of skill application.
  • Assess the relevance of past experiences to skills claimed.
  • Identify any discrepancies between skills and experiences.

Keywords and Phrases

  • Research common terms used in the industry.
  • Cross-reference with current job postings.
  • Highlight keywords relevant to the specific role.
  • Ensure keywords are naturally integrated into the content.
  • Compare resume content with the job description.
  • Identify key responsibilities and required skills.
  • Ensure that the resume addresses these areas.
  • Highlight any direct matches or relevant experiences.
  • Identify strong action verbs used in the resume.
  • Ensure verbs convey a sense of achievement.
  • Look for words like 'led', 'developed', 'implemented'.
  • Confirm that verbs align with the candidate's accomplishments.
  • Check for industry-recognized certifications.
  • Ensure licenses are current and valid.
  • Highlight any relevant training programs completed.
  • Confirm that certifications relate to the job applied for.
  • List technical skills relevant to the position.
  • Verify proficiency levels stated by the candidate.
  • Ensure software tools are commonly used in the industry.
  • Check for certifications related to technical skills.
  • Identify soft skills mentioned in the resume.
  • Ensure alignment with those valued by the employer.
  • Look for examples demonstrating these skills.
  • Highlight relevant interpersonal or leadership qualities.
  • Identify metrics or data points in achievements.
  • Verify the significance of the numbers provided.
  • Ensure that numbers demonstrate impact and success.
  • Highlight accomplishments with clear, quantifiable evidence.
  • Research synonyms for industry-specific keywords.
  • Look for variations that may add value.
  • Ensure the candidate's use of varied terminology.
  • Highlight effective use of language diversity.
  • Identify industry buzzwords used in the resume.
  • Ensure they are used appropriately and effectively.
  • Check for relevance to the specific job context.
  • Highlight common phrases that resonate with employers.
  • Identify key projects listed in the resume.
  • Assess the relevance of these projects to the job.
  • Highlight the candidate's role and contributions.
  • Ensure projects demonstrate expertise and results.
  • Review the job posting for company values.
  • Check if the resume reflects these values.
  • Highlight language that aligns with company culture.
  • Ensure authenticity in the representation of values.

Formatting and Presentation

  • Use headings and bullet points for clear structure.
  • Ensure logical flow of information from top to bottom.
  • Check for any visual distractions that may hinder readability.
  • Use the same font type and size throughout.
  • Ensure bullet points are uniform in style and indentation.
  • Maintain consistent line spacing for a clean look.
  • Read through the resume multiple times for accuracy.
  • Use spell check tools and grammar checking software.
  • Consider having a second person review for additional errors.
  • Use bold or larger font for main headings.
  • Ensure subheadings are clearly distinguishable from body text.
  • Check that headings follow a logical order.
  • Place contact information at the top of the resume.
  • Use a larger font size for visibility.
  • Ensure all contact details are accurate and up-to-date.
  • Set uniform margins (e.g., 1 inch on all sides).
  • Align text consistently (left-aligned or justified).
  • Review for any misalignments in sections.
  • Use adequate spacing between sections and paragraphs.
  • Avoid cramming too much information onto one page.
  • Ensure the layout feels balanced and not overcrowded.
  • Use a color scheme that is professional and easy on the eyes.
  • Limit the use of graphics to maintain professionalism.
  • Ensure any visuals support the content rather than distract.
  • Label sections like Experience, Education, Skills clearly.
  • Follow a conventional order (e.g., Contact, Experience, Education).
  • Check for any missing sections that should be included.
  • Adjust formatting based on the job description.
  • Highlight relevant experiences that match the job.
  • Ensure the layout aligns with industry standards for the position.

Overall Impression

  • Check formatting consistency and clarity.
  • Look for spelling and grammatical errors.
  • Assess the use of professional language.
  • Evaluate the overall layout and design.
  • Ensure the resume is tailored for the position.
  • Review personal values and work style.
  • Identify keywords that reflect company values.
  • Assess involvement in team or community activities.
  • Look for alignment with company mission.
  • Evaluate adaptability to diverse environments.
  • Look for strong action verbs and language.
  • Assess the explanation of career goals.
  • Identify any extra-curricular or volunteer activities.
  • Evaluate descriptions of achievements and milestones.
  • Consider the tone and energy of the writing.
  • Create a scoring rubric for evaluation.
  • Assign points based on individual criteria.
  • Calculate total score for each resume.
  • Provide justification for the score given.
  • Use the score to compare against other candidates.

Final Assessment

  • Review the scoring criteria established earlier.
  • Evaluate the candidate's performance in each category.
  • Calculate the total score based on the evaluations.
  • Ensure scores reflect the candidate's qualifications accurately.
  • Identify key strengths that stood out during the screening.
  • Note specific areas where the candidate may lack qualifications.
  • Provide examples to support each strength and weakness.
  • Be concise and objective in your observations.
  • Review the final score in relation to the baseline.
  • Consider overall fit for the position and company culture.
  • Discuss any concerns with the hiring team if necessary.
  • Make a decision based on the gathered data.
  • Write a brief summary of the assessment process.
  • Include reasons for the decision made regarding the candidate.
  • Ensure documentation is clear for future reference.
  • Store the document in the appropriate hiring records.
  • Review each section of the resume carefully.
  • Identify any areas that require clarification or enhancement.
  • Adjust criteria based on the specific job requirements.
  • Ensure consistency with company values and culture.
  • Consider adding specific skills or experiences relevant to the role.
  • Evaluate the overall presentation and professionalism of the resume.
  • Check for grammar, spelling, and formatting errors.
  • Assess the relevance of past job experiences to the current position.
  • Check for any certifications listed in the resume.
  • Verify the validity of these certifications if applicable.
  • Assess the relevance of certifications to the job role.
  • Note any additional qualifications that strengthen the candidacy.
  • Review the candidate's values as expressed in their application.
  • Evaluate alignment with company mission and culture.
  • Consider past experiences that demonstrate cultural fit.
  • Discuss insights with team members for broader perspective.
  • Analyze the candidate's career progression and role changes.
  • Look for indications of adaptability and learning.
  • Consider how past roles may prepare them for future growth.
  • Document your assessment of their growth potential.
  • Check for discrepancies between the resume and LinkedIn profile.
  • Look for additional information that may not be on the resume.
  • Assess the professionalism of the online presence.
  • Note any inconsistencies for further discussion.
  • Identify any significant gaps in the employment timeline.
  • Review explanations provided in the resume or cover letter.
  • Consider the context of gaps, such as education or personal reasons.
  • Document your assessment of the gaps and explanations.
  • Select claims to verify based on their significance.
  • Contact references or previous employers if necessary.
  • Document findings and any inconsistencies noted.
  • Evaluate the impact of verified claims on overall assessment.
  • Schedule a meeting or discussion with the hiring team.
  • Gather insights on the candidate's performance and fit.
  • Encourage open dialogue about strengths and concerns.
  • Incorporate team feedback into the final assessment.
  • Review the candidate's history for any concerning patterns.
  • Consider issues such as frequent job changes or negative references.
  • Document any red flags along with context.
  • Discuss implications with the hiring team.
  • Determine a timeline for next steps in the hiring process.
  • Consider availability of team members for interviews.
  • Communicate the timeline clearly to all involved.
  • Document the agreed-upon timeline for follow-up.
  • Review company policies regarding hiring and evaluations.
  • Confirm that all assessment steps were followed appropriately.
  • Document compliance measures taken during the evaluation.
  • Discuss any areas of concern with HR if necessary.