Companies are still on the resume scanning kick. Through more advanced analytical techniques and more complex technologies, it is thought that resume scanning can bring about higher quality candidates while reducing time and effort spent on low quality candidates.

Unfortunately, these tools do not work as advertised. Resume scanning fails because of rampant “Resume Scamming”. When 50% of candidates are lying on resumes, how is resume scanning going to produce valid results? While it can quickly dump the obviously unqualified candidates (jokesters, serial submitters, delusional seekers, etc.), the vast bulk of candidates will still be woefully unqualified for the position because of resume padding and credentials inflation.

On the flip side, using job descriptions as the input for these technologies to perform scans are ineffective. Such descriptions are either outdated or do not adequately reflect the actual skills required to be successful in the position. They are descriptions based on what hiring managers and HR staff think is needed, but rarely is any thought put into crafting a useful document.

We are awash in resumes, so I understand the appeal of resume scanning and keyword search tools. However, the better solution is to make candidates go through more effort upfront in the candidate process to prove their interest and their qualifications. These qualifications, or more succinctly skills, can be captured, measured and analyzed to produce much more qualified candidates.

It is time to let go of these reactive technologies that simply encourage the bad behavior of job seekers. Resume scanning, keyword search and other similar tools are going the way of the dodo. Get more proactive in the process, get candidates to put in some effort by making them evaluate their skills, and get a better quality pool of candidates that can do the job.