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Hiring at Macquarie

Reviewing Resumes

PURPOSE

Taking more time to carefully review the resume during the short listing process can provide you with valuable insights into the candidate’s strengths and limitations in relation to the role and help you identify areas to target during the interview and reference checks.   

quick tips

Here are some quick tips for more effectively reviewing resumes:

Consider the relevance

Evaluate the background and experience presented in the resume for relevance to the role and University context. 

  • Does the candidate have the required education and professional qualifications?
  • Has the candidate worked in similar environments or performed similar duties to those required for the role?

Look for gaps and anomalies

Carefully review the resume for anything that is out of sequence or isn’t clear. Consider:

  • How long was the candidate in each role? Is there any evidence that he or she has moved between jobs frequently?  
  • Are there any gaps in employment that cannot be easily explained?
  • Are there any incomplete (but not in progress) areas of study?
  • Is there any evidence of decreasing responsibility?
  • Have there been any shifts in career path? Is there any evidence that the candidate has conflicting interests?

Evaluate the selection criteria

Review the resume against the selection criteria.

  • Has the candidate adequately addressed all of the selection criteria?
  • Does the candidate have the relevant qualifications and skills?
  • Is there evidence of the types of behaviours that are required for the role?

For example, if high level communication skills are a key selection criteria, what evidence is there that the candidate has developed these in previous roles (e.g., the resume content itself, experience in dealing with people across all organisational levels, experience in preparing written communications and reports, experience in handing queries or experience in delivering presentations). 

Look for evidence of motivation

Consider what the resume tells you about the candidate’s interest in the role and the University.

  • Has the candidate taken the time to customise their resume to reflect the role requirements?
  • Is there any evidence of the candidate’s reason for wanting the role (e.g. career objective or study in the field)?
  • Has the candidate included examples of achievements and awards they have received?

Evaluate the presentation

Remember, the resume is the candidate’s opportunity to create a positive initial impression and it should represent the best he or she has to offer. There should be no spelling or grammatical errors. The format should be clear, clean and consistent.  

Look for evidence of or a lack of attention to detail. At the same time, bear in mind that some candidates may have had their resumes prepared professionally, in which case the resume will not be indicative of their communication skills.

Evaluate the language used

Evaluate how candidates have described themselves and their experience.

  • What does the way in which they express themselves tell you about their verbal communication skills?
  • What does their choice of language indicate about their match to the role? For example, terms like “familiarity with” and “knowledge of” can be used to mask a lack of experience.

Once you have conducted your review of the resume, make a list of questions to ask the candidate during interview to clarify gaps and anomalies and to further investigate their experience and knowledge in relation to the selection criteria.