A piece of paper with listed experience can only give you so much insight about a person. It is easy to rule out resumes that don’t possess the exact key words or experience you’re looking for. However, you should be able to identify those candidates with generic resumes who pop in person, from those candidates with outstanding resumes that may not personally bring anything to the table. Here are some tips:

1) Pay close attention to their application

Those who are passionate about the position won’t just fire off their resume and hit submit, they will take the time to handcraft a personal cover letter, or answer those optional questions. Someone who is serious about the role they’re applying for will take the time to go the extra mile and make themselves memorable.

2) Don’t just ask questions

In the interview, make sure to ask the candidate to demonstrate the knowledge and skills. Although it is easier to just talk about something, ask them to perform it. This will show if they know what they’re talking about or not. For example, if a candidate is applying for a position where they will be answering phones, have them answer a few calls during the interview.

3) Utilize candidate’s references to your advantage

Candidate’s references can give you more insight on what the person is really like in the workplace. When checking references, make sure to inquire about their personality and work ethic. Previous employers will have the best knowledge on how the candidates conduct themselves.

What’s the persons sense of humor like? Do they keep their work area clean or messy? Do they participate in work events outside of the office? These questions can be very important depending on your own office atmosphere.

4) Think beyond the resume

Being able to recognize a candidate that can represent your company, shows that you are looking beyond the information in their resumes. Thus, if you want insight into the person you are truly about to hire, do some more digging!

5) Engage a recruiter

When it comes to hiring your next employee, it’s an investment of both time and resources. It can also be a costly gamble if the person you bring on board just isn’t the right fit. By engaging a recruiter, they can quickly target candidates based on your specific requirements, helping you hire faster. Recruiter’s will manage all of the preliminary screening, reducing the endless hours typically spent pouring over resumes. Most reputable firms will also guarantee the candidates they represent, reducing your risk if the candidate you select doesn’t meet your expectations.