Beyond The Resume: Qualities In Candidates That You Can’t Find In A Resume
In this article we explore three important factors to consider when hiring a recent college graduate that go beyond their resume.
August 3rd, 2023
At Katapult Network, we understand that people are more than just a resume and jobs are more than just a list of tasks. We're a recruiting company that takes a human-focused approach to the job search where we're able to match college graduates with entry-level, professional jobs. Whether you're a job-seeker looking to start your professional career or a hiring manger seeking to build your future leadership at the entry-level, we're excited to be your partner in navigating the search process.
In today’s competitive job market, the first point of contact between the employer and the job seeker is their resume. While resumes provide valuable information about the potential candidate, it doesn’t fully show who the candidate is as a worker. At Katapult Network, we’re trying to change the narrative on why organizations should look beyond the resume. Here are three insights to consider when reviewing resumes:
1. Personality and Cultural Fit:
Ensuring that a candidate is the right culture fit for your company is crucial to ensuring that they will align with team values and work environment. While a resume only offers a snapshot of a candidate’s professional and educational background, it doesn’t capture critical aspects of their transferable skills and culture fit. Setting up an interview or phone call is the perfect way to get a feel for a candidate's overall potential. You’d be surprised at what you can discover within a short conversation!
2. Soft Skills:
Soft skills are very important when it comes down to understanding if a candidate can do the day to day tasks of a job. Skill sets such as time management, communication, problem-solving and emotional intelligence, are equally as important as technical abilities. Oftentimes these skills are not reflected inside of a resume and they play a significant role in determining an employee’s success in the workplace. Get a feel for a candidate's soft skills by having a conversation with them through behavioral based questions.
3. Growth Potential:
While a candidate's past experiences and accomplishments are indicators of their ability to do the job, their potential for growth may be an important key factor to hiring. Individuals who have a thirst for knowledge and are ready to embrace a challenge are valuable assets to any organization. Those with growth mindsets are more self aware, constantly striving towards improvement and tend to thrive in ever changing business environments. Hiring candidates with this in mind could be vital to any ambitious and forward thinking team.
In conclusion, while resumes provide essential information about someone’s work history, experiences, and educational background, it’s only a small part of who they are as a candidate. It’s important to expand beyond the resume to get to know someone fully and see if they are a great match for your organization. At Katapult one of our main goals is to breach the disconnect between companies who require loads of experience and college graduates looking for entry level jobs. If you are interested in learning more about our services, reach out to our team today!
