HOW ARE THEY SCREENING YOU?

Screening Technologies



Your paper resume could end up being stored in a database without your knowledge. Employers are using several technologies to screen. Let's take a closer look at the technologies being used to screen. “Resume readers” can be categorized as “human” or “computer” readers.

Traditional screening
At one end of the spectrum, there's traditional paper sorting and human screening. Some companies hire the same way today as they did 10 years ago.

Skill-based screening
Leading-edge employers are beginning to adopt “skill skill-based screening,” which involves a series of job-specific questions applicants must answer online, in addition to, or sometimes instead of submitting a resume. These questions are designed to filter out all but the most qualified candidates.

Applicant tracking/resume management
These tracking systems offer the recruiter some form of electronic storage and retrieval of your resume - using keywords.

ELECTRONIC RESUMES -- A WHOLE NEW WORLD

Not so long ago, the only decision you needed to make regarding your resume was whether to mail it, fax it or hand it to a contact. As long as it arrived, it really didn't matter how it got there. Today, you have to make decisions about:
· Which resume format to use (Word or ASCII)
· How to submit (mail, fax, email, upload to the employer's Web site or hand deliver).
· What resume to use when employers use automated resume management systems.

Going paperless – the advantages
Emailing your resume or applying online are becoming the preferred methods for employers and search firms to receive resumes today for many reasons:
· It’s faster than paper processing
Not only does a paper resume take time, but it may also take several days to be converted to electronic format if there’s a backlog in scanning.
· Faxed resumes are hard to scan accurately
It could be uploaded with errors that prevent the resume from being retrieved.
· It’s cheaper
Not only is the cost of mailing increasing, but it also costs the employers to convert the resume to electronic format.
· Distribution is easier
HR recruiters can quickly review the contents of an emailed resume and forward it to the relevant hiring managers. Email speeds distribution within the organization.
· Immediately searchable
When emailed or uploaded directly to the organization's resume database, it's immediately available for any searches being performed.
· Displays your skills
Sending your resume electronically (whether by uploading to the organization’s Web site or emailing) demonstrates PC skills. Conversely, sending a resume via "snail mail" suggests (whether fairly or not) that you are PC illiterate.

POST - HURRICANE EMPLOYMENT CONCERNS

1. U.S. Job Growth Continues, but Workers’ Post-Hurricane Concerns Linger
   Spherion Employee Confidence Index Little Changed in October
   
   FT. LAUDERDALE, Fla., November 4, 2005 — According to recent government data, the U.S. economy and job market continue to expand, but the latest Spherion® Employment Report shows that U.S. adult workers have lingering concerns about the strength of the economy and job market following the recent hurricanes. The Spherion Employee Confidence Index, which measures U.S. adult workers’ confidence in their personal employment situation, declined 0.1 points to 54.1 in October, hitting its lowest level in the past year. Despite this continued doubt, more workers were preparing to find a new job. According to a recent survey of 2,685 employed adults in the U.S., 39 percent said they are likely to look for a new job in the next year. This is an increase of five percentage points from the prior month. The monthly Spherion Employment Report is conducted by Harris Interactive® on behalf of Spherion Corporation (NYSE:SFN).
   
   
   · Personal Confidence Index Drops: For the first time in six months, the Personal Confidence Index dropped, declining 1.9 points to 72.2 in October. Fewer workers were confident in the future of their employer and in their ability to find a new job. The Index is 0.6 points lower than in a year ago, and is below the average of 73.3 over the past year.
   
   Specific findings from Personal Confidence Index include:
   63% of adult workers in the U.S. feel confident in the future of their employer, down three percentage points from September.
   55% of U.S. adult workers in the U.S. have confidence in their own ability to find a new job, down three percentage points from September.
   
   Job Security Index: Fewer Workers Feel Secure in Their Jobs
   77% of U.S. adult workers feel it is unlikely that their jobs will be eliminated in the next 12 months, a decrease of two percentage points from the prior month.
   
   Job Transition Index: More Workers Planning a Job Search

39% of U.S. working adults in the U.S said they are likely to look for a new job in the next 12 months, a five percentage point increase from September.