How to Decide Who to Interview

Sep 12, 2023 | Podcast

World at Work Podcast episode 48 how to decide who to interview

When the applicant tracking system chooses a person for you, it’s almost like a suggestion. You still have to be the one that makes the conscious decision to choose who you interview. – Tim Dyck

The first time I had to sift through a pile of resumes without the aid of an Applicant Tracking System (ATS), I was overwhelmed. Looking at the array of qualifications and experiences was like staring at a jigsaw puzzle. I had no idea where to begin or how to decide who to interview. That was what lead to recognizing the value of breaking down the job requirements into core skillsets.

Hiring for certain roles is not just about ticking boxes based on previous job titles. A key part of searches is finding someone who has been able to demonstrate the necessary skills in their previous roles. I remember going through the stack of resumes, and spotting one for a chef. Many might have overlooked it, but I could see the potential. The ability to handle stress, multitask, and prioritize tasks – these were all skills necessary for the role I was filling. From that moment, I started to see the task of searching for who to interview in a different light.

The other thing to consider is the location of candidates. I have had to rule out exceptional candidates from different parts of the world due to logistical constraints. Despite their potential, it also helped me appreciate the value of using a local talent pool.

There’s an inherent complexity in reviewing resumes manually. Remembering my initial dilemma makes me chuckle now. While it is a challenging task, manual resume review also gave me a deeper understanding of what truly matters in the hiring process. It’s not just about the skills or the location, but a delicate balance of both, among other factors. Make sure to send this episode to anyone you know that is in charge of hiring so they can also be reminded of ways to approach common challenges around deciding who to interview.