Important Steps in the Candidate Screening Process: What You Need to Know

Finding the perfect talent in the Philippines can often feel like looking for a needle in a haystack. With a skilled and diverse Filipino workforce, the challenge lies in identifying the right fit for your company’s specific needs through a rigorous screening process.

Don’t worry though! A well-defined selection strategy can be the secret to finding the perfect fit. It’ll be like the metal detector you need, helping you sift through applications and finally discovering that one special needle.

To help you establish your preliminary applicant screening, this guide helps you with the essential steps involved in the process. We go into practical tips for optimizing your selection procedure using varying HR recruitment resources to land your ideal hire.

6 Essential Steps to Follow When Screening Applicants

Doing an initial screening entails an evaluation and assessment of applicants before they move on to the next stages of your recruitment process. It’s your first filter to identify applicants who seem like a good fit based on your set basic criteria.

Generally, there are different approaches and techniques to screen your candidates. Here are some of the key steps to follow when hiring:

1. Define Your Ideal Applicant Profile

Finding the ideal candidate is much like looking for the perfect partner; you have to clearly establish what you’re looking for. List the skills, experience, and qualifications required for the role. Write down your negotiables and non-negotiables before going through your applicant pool.

• Technical Skills: List the specific software programs, tools, or machinery the candidate needs to be proficient in.
• Soft Skills: These encompass communication, teamwork, problem-solving, and other interpersonal skills crucial for the role. Filipinos are known for their strong “diskarte” (resourcefulness) and “pakikisama” (ability to work well with others) – consider how these are relevant to the ideal applicant you’re searching for.
• Experience: Outline your desired level of experience, including any industry-specific experience or project types relevant to the job you’re posting.
• Education: Determine the required educational background, including any necessary certifications or degrees the role requires.

2. Create a Compelling Job Description

From an advertising perspective, your job description is your hook. It acts as your recruitment magnet, attracting the right candidates to apply for the position you need to fill.

Use clear and concise language to outline the responsibilities, qualifications, and company culture. Highlight what makes your position unique and why someone would be excited to join your team.

3. Utilize Effective Job Boards and Platforms

Ready to post your job opening? Before you blast it online, take time to think about the perfect platform to use for your job posting. This can significantly impact the quality of applicants you get and the quantity you receive.

First, think about the industry specificity. Some job boards catering to your industry are more likely to attract qualified Filipino professionals. It’s best to prioritize posting on these platforms to successfully target experts with experience in the field you’re hiring for.

Next, choose the right location to post your employment opening, especially if your role requires on-site work. Choose job boards with a focus on your company’s specific city or region.

Lastly, consider using a recruitment platform like PasaJob. Our employment board has millions of users from various industries and fields who can potentially be your next hire. Plus with our user-friendly employer platform interface and notification or reminder features, you can efficiently and effectively process applications for candidates who perfectly match your requirements.

4. Streamline Your Application Screening Process

Don’t scare away talented applicants with a difficult and tedious application process. Keep it simple and easy to understand.

If you can, limit the application fields and only request information directly relevant to the job requirements. Learning about the applicant’s hobbies at the initial filtering may not be as relevant. Questions like that may be more applicable in the next meetings following the screening interviews.

Other than that, offer multiple application methods such as allowing candidates to apply through a resume upload portal or social media login. This gives them better accessibility when applying for your job posting.

5. Effectively Screen Resumes and Cover Letters

Once you’ve collected a significant amount of applications, it’s time to examine them! Here’s how you can ensure an efficient and accurate screening process:

• Develop a Review Checklist: Create a list of key criteria (skills, experience, etc.) and assess each resume against it.
• Keyword Scanning: While not foolproof, utilize relevant keywords to identify resumes that align with your requirements, both in Tagalog and English or any other language relevant to the job.
• Focus on Achievements: Look for candidates who demonstrate accomplishments in their previous roles, not just responsibilities. Filipinos often prioritize a strong work ethic so it’s important to look for evidence of these qualities.

6. Conduct the Initial Screening Interview

When you’ve got a list of potential candidates, set interviews with them to assess soft skills like communication and enthusiasm that resumes can’t convey.

You can ask them behavioral questions to uncover past experiences, demonstrating their problem-solving skills and work ethic. You can even use this to gauge their salary expectations and if it aligns with their experience and your company’s budget.

Shortlist the most promising candidates for in-depth interviews where you can get to know them more professionally and personally.

Overall, finding the perfect candidate requires a thorough sourcing strategy. Using a step-by-step process can effectively match you with your ideal applicant, minimizing wasted time and resources.

Ready to Find Your Next Perfect Hire?

Finding the right experts for your company can be a rewarding experience. It’s not only an opportunity to fill the roles of your growing business, but also to have another colleague you can learn and grow with.

So, with the knowledge you’ve gained about effective candidate screening, you can use powerful tools like PasaJob’s platform to match you with top talent. Utilize our services to complement your comprehensive screening process and streamline your hiring procedures. Remember, a well-defined screening method ensures you’re attracting the right individuals to build a successful team.

Don’t wait any longer! Sign up for a free employer account on PasaJob today and start building your dream team with confidence!