Successful HR executives from Forbes Human Resources Council offer leadership and management insights.

Human resources departments all have their own unique things they keep an eye out for when judging job applications. Some details can give a lot of insight into what sort of person the applicant is and whether how they present themselves in the resume is an accurate reflection of who they truly are.

One of the skills that HR personnel use daily is the ability to read between the lines. Job seekers can be quite honest in some parts of their application, but few are always reliable. Spotting the relevant details can help to fill out the rest of the unsaid information and determine whether the applicant deserves an interview. 

To help, 12 members of Forbes Human Resources Council discuss the critical details they look for first in a job seeker's application, and what those elements help them ascertain about that person.

1. Career Continuity

It takes time to learn the ropes of a new job and to carve a place within a team. One whose career trajectory shows frequent jumps likely does not have the determination and stamina to stick around long enough to make the difference. Certainly, there are exceptions — for example, when one needs to take time off to take care of their family or faces obstacles along their path. - Rachel Lyubovitzky, EverythingBenefits

2. Customization

The candidate's resume and cover letter should align with the job description and requirements. The resume should clearly state and show work experience, education, skills and achievements that relate to the specific job opening or application. The candidate's cover letter should convey why the candidate is interested in the company and what makes the candidate a good fit for the job. - Ochuko Dasimaka, Career Heights Consulting, Inc.

3. Effective Communication

I am drawn to a clearly-written resume/application. For those candidates that include an objective statement in their resume, I want to be able to immediately see strengths, background/skills highlights, and industries they have worked in. If this is well-written, I will review the resume further. Otherwise, the candidate most likely won't move forward. - Kathy Short, Yorktown Systems Group

4. Ability To Follow Directions

When hiring, especially for remote positions, the first thing to look for in an applicant is their ability to follow directions. Did the applicant do what was asked of them during the application process, providing pertinent details and documents like a resume and cover letter? Did they respond to your request to share why they would best fill the role, or did they send a generic message? A person’s ability to follow directions and "read between the lines" of the job description shows they are a good candidate to consider. - Laura Spawn, Virtual Vocations, Inc.

5. Previous Job Description

Some candidates will list out their job descriptions in their duties, which look highly like the ones they were probably given upon hire. Wording duties like "processes invoices" rather than "process invoices" tells me they more than likely copied and pasted the responsibilities for that job rather than taking the time to tell me what they really do (or did). - Kerri Johnson, Foam Supplies, Inc.

6. Sense Of Authenticity And Self

Resumes, job applications and online profiles can only tell you so much about a candidate. I want to hire a person who happens to have experience relative to a job and that special something that brings their skills to life. Frequently the best hire is someone with the greatest number of intangible credentials, so I look for a sense of authenticity and self to come through in their application. - Jennifer Marszalek, Working Credit NFP

7. Agility And Flexibility

We live in an agile world where we need to focus more on hiring for potential than just the project or role in front of us. Therefore, agility and willingness to be flexible are key — certainly in the ever-changing digital world we live in today. - Paul Phillips, Avanade

8. Length Of The Resume

Despite all advice to keep resumes short, many people still have resumes stretching way past seven or eight pages. A long resume tells me that you haven't put the effort in to update your resume, you can't make a decision on what to take out, or you think the rules shouldn't apply to you. There is nothing positive about a lengthy resume. - Karla Reffold, BeecherMadden

9. Storytelling

I love looking at a resume that is easy to read and tells you a compelling narrative of the candidate's story — a big picture outline of who they are followed by a list of accomplishments that weaves in with the key points mentioned in the summary. The ability to put years of experience in a one-page document that invokes interest says a lot about the person's communication and presentation skills. - Jyoti Khadgawat, smule Inc

To read the full article, please visit https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbeshumanresourcescouncil/2020/06/17/12-things-recruiters-look-at-first-when-going-through-job-applications/?sh=1b32128d2e8c