What Types of Highlights You Should Look for in a Resume or CV

by Startacus Admin

Some basic tips on the key areas to focus on in a candidate's CV or resume to help make recruitment a little easier...

When you’re new to the hiring process and tasked to review resumes, it can feel overwhelming. There’s so much information on each resume, and to be frank, some of it is completely irrelevant. 

So how do you know what to focus on and what to skip? In truth, there are a few sections that are more important than others. 

In this post, we’re going to look at the types of highlights you should look for in a resume or cover letter.

Leadership experience

Even if you’re hiring for an entry-level position, it’s helpful to know that a candidate has leadership experience. This can give you some peace of mind that the person you’re hiring is likely to follow a leadership path. And because hiring from within is always easier, this can help the hiring process down the road.

There is one caveat, though. You’re going to want to look for leadership experience that’s aligned with the position. For example, if it’s a data entry position and the candidate has years of management experience, you may wonder why they’re applying for the position. When someone is overqualified for a job, it’s likely to be a temporary change for them. If someone is applying for a position and they’re overqualified, they should have a clear and understandable reason outlined in their cover letter. Otherwise, it’s probably best to move on to the next resume. 

Teamwork 

In addition to job experience, resumes that stand out have that extra oomph. And that usually comes in the form of extracurricular activities. If a candidate spends time volunteering or playing team sports, they’re likely to be a team player and an asset to your organization.  

Employment gaps

Gaps in employment aren’t exactly a selling point on someone’s resume, but they aren’t necessarily the kiss of death. If someone seems highly qualified otherwise, it may be okay. Just be sure to ask about the employment gap during the interview. The candidate should have a good reason other than, “I just couldn’t find a job.” 

This becomes difficult in a recession, but if you want to hire a go-getter, look for someone who either doesn’t have employment gaps or can explain them well. For example, someone who took time off from work to travel may be a great candidate. They’ve already had an extended vacation and may be ready to jump into work with a clear head. Plus, they understand that there’s more to life than work, and an employee with a positive work-life balance is a good thing. 

It can feel overwhelming to get through a large stack of resumes in a short time, but when you know what to look for, you can get to the bottom of the pile in no time. And better yet, you should be able to weed out the best candidates to interview for the position. 

Look for life experience, work experience, and evidence that the candidate works well with others. Remember, you're hiring a person, not a set of skills. 

In Collaboration with MJV Ventures.

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Published on: 19th November 2020