Definition
Screening (or resume screening) is the first selection stage. The recruiter compares each application with the must-have criteria set during the intake meeting, then keeps a shortlist for a call or interview. It may include a short phone call, a questionnaire or a test.
Best practices
Screen on criteria written in advance and tied to the work, not on indirect signals like a school name, a career gap or an address. These shortcuts screen out capable candidates and can introduce bias. Answer screened-out applicants too: a short rejection avoids ghosting.
When a tool helps screen, it should show why a profile ranks high or low. To go further, read our article on smarter application screening.
Concrete example
For an accounts payable clerk role, the recruiter sets three must-have criteria: two years of experience, Excel skills, written English and French. He keeps the applications that meet them, then sends a short rejection to everyone else within the week. The criteria are written down first, so every application is judged against the same bar.