What Goes Into Candidate Screening? Luke Arnold

If you are looking to maximise your chances of success when applying for a role, it can pay to prepare for candidate screening. The only way to do that is to know what goes into it.

To help with screening, employers often use an initial checklist that can be used to quickly and efficiently establish whether an applicant is a suitable candidate or not. On that list will be a number of desired skills that the prospective employee must have in order to advance to the next round – these typically include the necessary qualifications, accreditations and registrations. They will also be looking out for candidates that have previous experience.

Once the employer has established which candidates satisfy all the requirements, they will examine personal qualities. If it goes down to the wire and two applicants are on an even playing field in terms of qualifications and experience, these attributes could be the deciding factor between who is selected to fulfil the position.

However, it is important to remember that no two prospective employers are the same, so there will always be variety in what practices are looking for during their screening process. Some companies, for instance, are very relaxed and will consider interviewing anyone that applies, while others are very selective. Some employers might even choose to conduct phone interviews either in place of interviewing or in addition to, though this typically depends on whether the vacancy is for a permanent or locum position.

Bearing all this in mind, there are a number of preparations that you can make to boost your chances of success during the screening process.

• Having a good curriculum vitae is the biggest foot in the door, so it is crucial that you spend adequate time ensuring that all the necessary information is included in a clear and concise fashion.

• You must also be sure that you have researched the company and the role thoroughly – and when you’ve done that, research some more. The more prepared you are, the higher up on their list you’ll be.

• About 80 per cent of employers will search for an applicant on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn, so whatever you put online, make sure it’s appropriate.

• Draw on your peers’ experiences for insight and top tips.

• Follow up on your application to confirm that it was received – it will show that you’re proactive and enthusiastic about the role.

• Contact the employer post interview thanking them for their time to help keep your name at the forefront of their mind.

• Employ the services of a specialist recruitment agency like Dental Elite for expert advice, support and to act as an intermediary between yourself and the employer.

Altogether, there are a great many factors that are taken into consideration by an employer during the recruitment process, all of which not only help to ensure that the right candidate gets the job, but also to streamline the process for everyone involved. To ensure that you meet the criteria and pass the screening process, take the appropriate steps to prepare today.

For more information on Dental Elite visit www.dentalelite.co.uk, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 01788 545 900