Finding great employees is an essential part of building a successful business. And knowing how to analyze a resume for important elements is important to the hiring process. Here are 6 tips for identifying the best candidates.

Candidate Growth Over Time
If you are looking for a candidate that will grow and advance in your organization, then it is best to look for one that shows growth over time on their resume. Consider if the candidate has stayed in the same type of position for a long time with the same responsibilities, or have they made progress over time with new and more challenging responsibilities?

Formatting, Grammar, and Spelling
The first impression that a candidate makes on you is important. Remember that they are likely to make the same first impression on others if you hire them to be on your team. The appearance of the resume and cover letter is significant, just as the way candidates dress is significant. Resumes and cover letters that are neat, professional, and concise reflect positively on the candidate. It can also indicate that the candidate will display these same traits in the job.

Employment Length
If you are looking for a candidate that is likely to stay with your company for a long time and grow with your organization, then pay close attention to the employment lengths indicated on the candidate’s resume. But also consider whether the candidate has just completed college and does not have a long employment history, or other circumstances that may have affected employment length, such as the closing of an office.

Memorable Impression
Does the candidate leave a positive memorable impression on you and do they share characteristics that make them stand out and show who they really are?  Accomplishments that show a strong work ethic and commitment can indicate how dedicated the candidate will be in the role. How well the candidate has worked with teams or has lead teams is also important.

Quantified Accomplishments
Candidates that quantify their achievements on their resume understand that it is important to get measurable results for an organization. Their accomplishments can help to give you an idea of the results they can get for your organization. For example, in the past, did the candidate do something to save a company money? Did they reach or exceed goals? Here is an example of a quantified accomplishment you might see on a resume: “Reduced inventory management by 20% through reorganization of supplies.”

Resume Customized for the Job
Candidates that put an extra effort into customizing their resume for the job show their interest and also align their resume more closely to the job. The candidate’s resume should reflect the requirements of the job post, show an understanding of the position, including details that are relevant to the job, and show that the candidate has done their research.

Working with a coach will help your organization to identify the candidates needed to help your organization to grow and will provide guidance on managing your employees effectively.