It is very important to know how to interview potential candidates properly when you're looking to fill a position at your company. However, it is just as important to pre-screen all applicants so that you don't waste your time interviewing dead leads. Here are some quick tips for pre-screening applicants based on their resumes.

Don't Rush Yourself

Most people quickly scan over resumes in just a few seconds. That is not nearly enough time to accurately determine whether someone is worth interviewing or not. Take a couple minutes to look at each resume in detail; it will save you time in the long run by weeding out bad prospects.

Sort Resumes

When going through resumes, it will help to make three different piles. For applicants that don't meet your needs, put their resumes in the "no" pile. For applicants that would make a great fit for the position, put them in the "good" category. Finally, the third category should be for those in the middle: They have the basic skills to do the job, but they probably wouldn't be your first choice. These should be your backup options; focus on the "good" list first.

Have a Pre-Screening Criteria

It is a good idea to have certain criteria and qualifications for each list. For example, if an applicant is to make it to the "good" list, they should have certain qualities and skills. The same goes for the middle list; if the candidates are lacking certain criteria, put them on the "no" list. This will make sorting resumes way more efficient.

Watch Out For Fancy Words

Experienced resume writers know how to choose their words properly so that you get a great first impression of the applicants. However, it is important to look beyond the fancy job titles and the keywords that are designed to impress you. Look at the hard data: Their education, experience, qualifications, and skills.

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