Sorting out procurement candidates can be challenging.once you start the outreach, you’ll be buried in the resumes of hopefuls and left with the daunting task of finding the best one for the job. The job is demanding, your company works in a unique field and your managers are especially particular about whom you let into the fold. While selecting the right candidate is hard, it might be somewhat easier to spot the wrong ones, thanks to common resume .red flags indications that you may want to pass on this particular supply management hopeful. Here are some solid suggestions about characteristics to look for when on the hunt for talent.
Typos, bad grammar and other errors
Not everyone is a stellar writer with a perfect grasp of the English language.that’s especially true in the field of Procurement, where a significant number of candidates hail from overseas and don’t call English their native language. However, imagine a resume, cover letter or other communication arrives riddled with spelling mistakes and missing punctuation.mistakes that even a non-native speaker or grammatically challenged person could fix with spell check or a little extra attention. If that’s the case, the hopeful employee’s professional communications to your valued stakeholders, both internally and externally, will reflect poorly on your function and your company.
Lack of attention to detail
Consider a resume dotted with sentence fragments that should have been caught with one last look-over before hitting the SEND button speak to potential carelessness. You also could encounter a missing number in an employment date range, or an incorrect job title next to a previous employer. In and of themselves, these little glitches aren’t earth-shattering. However, considering how many intricate details a Procurement professional must pay attention to.if the candidate hasn’t mastered such easy details in their job application process, can you really trust them to handle the complexities of your procurement team?
Gaps in employment
A years-long canyon between the jobs listed on a resume can be explained. You may receive a reason your firm can live with, such as serious illness, military service or family leave. However, if the candidate can’t come up with a solid reason for the gap, or their excuse is weak, you’re left wondering and worrying, and that isn’t a good foot for the candidate to begin their career with you.
Moving backward
A professional’s career changes in many ways through the years .that’s as true with Procurement as it is in nearly any other field. Ideally, those changes should be upward moves, with titles and job descriptions indicating increasing responsibilities as they progress over time. If the candidate’s shift in job titles indicates a lateral or lower move, it shouldn’t necessarily be a deal breaker, but investigate. Lateral moves may occur after a company restructuring, the loss of a family member, the birth of a child or illness motivating them to tap the career brakes. However, a plateau or backwards motion could indicate the candidate has trouble handling additional responsibilities.
Problem following direction
You asked for a cover letter.the resume arrives without one. Your HR team requested the candidate provide three references.she provides only two, with no explanation. Your email specifically stated the conference call would happen at 2 p.m. PST; he calls at 2 p.m. CST. Mistakes happen, but if a supply management talent hopeful repeatedly fails to follow specific directions this early in the process, your hiring managers should ask themselves if the candidate in question might not be likely to make such oversights in the future.and if that’s a risk your company is willing to take. Because supply chain recruitment is highly complex, it might be a good idea to turn to a professional recruitment firm with the experience and expertise necessary to spot and analyze potential red flags. Reach out to us and we’ll explain how our resources and experience can work for you.