The Non-Recruiter's Guide to Spotting Quality Candidates in Minutes

Mike stared at his 19th resume of the morning. As a marketing director, he knew good marketing when he saw it. But evaluating whether someone could actually do the job? That was a different skill entirely.

He'd been doing this for two hours and still couldn't confidently say which candidates deserved interviews. There had to be a better way.

The 5-Minute Candidate Evaluation Framework

Minute 1: The Must-Have Check

• Do they meet your non-negotiable requirements?
• Years of experience, specific skills, location, etc.
• If no, move on. If yes, continue.

Minutes 2-3: The Achievement Scan

• Look for specific accomplishments, not just responsibilities
• "Increased sales by 40%" vs "Responsible for sales"
• Numbers, percentages, concrete results

Minute 4: The Red Flag Check

• Unexplained employment gaps
• Job hopping without progression
• Generic cover letters that could apply anywhere

Minute 5: The Gut Check

• Does their career progression make sense for this role?
• Can you see them succeeding on your team?
• Are they likely to accept your offer?

What Professional Recruiters Know (That You Don't)

• How to quickly research candidate backgrounds
• What to look for beyond the resume
• Industry benchmarks for skills and experience
• Warning signs of overselling or underqualification

Making Your Evaluation Defensible

• Document your reasoning for each decision
• Use consistent criteria across all candidates
• Get input from team members when unsure
• Track patterns in successful vs unsuccessful hires

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