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From the get-go, it’s easy for recruiters to overlook qualified candidates. While resumes are a great starting point, recruiters have to pinpoint specific job seekers who meet the requirements of a role but aren’t a solid fit for the client. Ask these questions to look beyond the resume when considering a new candidate. 

1. What is their career motivation?

A resume can list a candidate’s previous experience, but it can’t explain his long-term career aspirations. Without knowing what motivates the candidate, it’s impossible for a recruiter or hiring manager to know if he would be a good fit for the client or the role itself.

2. Why did they leave their last role?

Resumes don’t say why the candidate left his last position. There are tons of reasons why he could be on the market for a new position, ranging from poor cultural fit to lack of compensation. It’s important to know his pain points to make sure a future partnership will be a happy one.

3. What soft skills do they possess?

Hard skills are the focal point of resumes. They’re necessary to evaluate a candidate’s capabilities, but recruiters need more information to see the big picture. A candidate could be awesome on paper but lack the communication skills to succeed in the role.

4. How will they react under pressure?

It’s impossible to gauge how someone will react in a stressful situation from a resume alone. Only by using conversation or behavioral-based interviews would someone be able to measure how well a candidate functions in a high-pressure situation.

5. Are they a hard worker?

Yes, it sounds simple, but again, this type of information can’t be relayed on paper. A candidate can claim to have all of the ideal skills, but that doesn’t mean he can actually use them efficiently. Always take the extra time to do more research.

Relying too heavily on resumes can be disastrous for recruiters and hiring managers in the long run. Avoid issues down the road by forming true relationships with the candidates before their first day on the job. Don’t just flip through a random stack of resumes. A bit of extra digging can go a long way.