At Mornington Recruitment, we often hear from small business owners and hiring managers who say, “We can screen applicants ourselves” or “We have time to go through CVs.” On the surface, that makes sense. Most business owners can read a CV and make a call on whether someone is worth interviewing.
But here’s the thing — screening isn’t just reading CVs. And it’s not using a templated checklist from Seek. True screening is about digging deeper, asking the right questions, and attracting candidates who are a match not just on paper but in person.
Let’s unpack this a little.
What You Think Screening Is vs. What It Takes
Many employers believe screening is:
• Posting an ad
• Reading resumes
• Picking people to interview
That’s not screening. That’s sorting.
What Mornington Recruitment does is far more robust, strategic, and effective. And it’s designed specifically to deliver quality candidates quickly.
What We Do That Most Employers Don’t
Here’s what goes into our screening process:
1. Strategic Job Ads
We don’t just copy and paste a job description. We craft ads that are concise, benefits-focused and attract a broader range of qualified applicants. We often don’t even use your business name — which adds intrigue and ensures interest is in the role, not just the brand.
2. Deep Client Briefing
We ask questions you might not even think to ask yourself, helping us pinpoint the real selection criteria that matter for your business and team culture.
3. Immediate Communication with Applicants
Every applicant gets an email within an hour of applying. They also receive a follow-up text to make sure they check their inbox. This ensures we engage with interested candidates right away.
4. Filtering Based on Real Criteria
We assess applicants based on the custom criteria developed with you — not generic questions. We only send through applicants who are a genuine match.
5. Rapid Turnaround
You’ll typically have a shortlist of high-quality applicants within 3 days.
6. Ongoing Candidate Engagement
We keep your candidates warm by notifying them quickly if they’re being considered. That builds a better candidate experience — and keeps your brand looking professional.
7. Easy Interview Process for You
By the time you receive our shortlist, you may only need 15 minutes to choose who to interview. You get the CVs, responses, and our assessment — no guesswork.
8. Optional ZOOM Pre-Screening
Want to save more time? We can pre-interview candidates via Zoom, asking them your top questions. You get the recordings, so you can assess communication skills, personality, and professionalism on your schedule.
So, Can You Really Screen Yourself?
Sure — you can. But are you:
• Writing strategic ads that attract better applicants?
• Probing beyond a CV?
• Following up instantly?
• Keeping applicants warm and engaged?
• Screening for the criteria that matter?
Most employers don’t have the time, tools, or expertise to do this well. And that’s where Mornington Recruitment delivers real value.
It’s not just about saving time. It’s about hiring better people — faster — with less stress.
So next time you think “we’ll just do it ourselves,” ask yourself: are you screening, or just sorting?