One of the most important tasks of human resources is finding new talent. For many companies, this is done through the use of job applications. However, only a small fraction of applicants should be contacted for an interview. This of course leaves the question of what an HR employee should focus on when sifting through applications. Below are six things you shouldn’t overlook.

1. Spelling and Grammar Errors
It’s true that not every position requires an employee to write in perfect English to perform their job correctly. However, every position does require that person to put their best effort forward to do a good job. This is why spelling and grammar errors are important. They indicate a person who is okay with sloppiness and does not believe in quality checking their own work.

2. Criminal History
Another thing that certainly shouldn’t be overlooked is the criminal history of the applicant. While being convicted of certain crimes should disqualify a person for specific jobs, this shouldn’t always be the case. Keep this in mind when looking through applications. After a person pays their debt to society, they should have the ability to obtain gainful employment in appropriate positions, and they may be the perfect fit for the job. According to an Atlanta criminal defense attorney, a felony is more serious in nature than a misdemeanor. Be sure to get the specifics on their criminal history before throwing out their resume.

3. Immigration Status
Another thing you will need to examine is a person’s legal status in the United States. If an immigrant doesn’t have the proper legal status or permits, you should probably examine other candidates. The company could be punished by the government for disobeying employment laws.

4. Education
Not every position requires a college degree. Still, educated employees are far more likely to excel in the workplace. Education can also be a good predictor of work ethic. If a person is a high school drop-out, for example, it’s not a stretch to imagine that person quitting a position once they tire of the work.

5. Work History
Similarly, a person’s work history can tell you a lot about the employee in question. A solid work history in your industry may mean having to spend less on training since it suggests that person already has competence with that kind of work. Work history can also predict negative results as well. If none of the jobs listed lasted longer than a few months, you should certainly be asking why.

6. References
Certain job applications ask for references. While references aren’t always necessary, the inability to produce credible references could suggest a problem employee. Glowing references from individuals involved in your industry should be weighed heavily in favor of those applicants.

It's important to take all details of a resume into consideration, both good and bad. Hiring the right employee goes beyond an applicant's resume, so it's important not to overlook things that may seem questionable at first glance.