How To Effectively Find Candidates Using Job Board Search Engines

 Learn how to effectively find the exact candidate you are searching for in a job board. If many candidate searches result in either the wrong resumes or no results when using major job boards, I would like to teach you a fast and effective method to maximizing job board search engines.

1)   Who am I searching for?

It is very important to understand the position you are filling and to imagine your ideal candidate (i.e. skills, experience level, environment experience, education, etc).

2)      Keywords Keywords Keywords!

-Keywords play the largest role in a resume search!  It is very important to choose the most appropriate keywords and chose your keywords wisely as they can make or break your search results.    Keywords usually consist of particular skills, tools of a trade, equipment, technology, security clearances, etc. 

3)   Do I start with a “broad search” or “narrow search”?

A good rule of thumb is to start narrow. It is much more efficient to start narrow. Why search for hours when you can find you candidate in minutes or even seconds!    Start with the narrowest search; be sure to include every keyword possible and every necessary variable (i.e. education, location, etc). 

4)      First Search Attempt

- Include every keywords possible (particular skills, tools of a trade, equipment, technology, security clearances, etc).

-If you would like a candidate with a particular degree or certification, specify degree or certification and add as keyword

-If you would like a candidate to live within a particular distance from your business, specify that radius.  

5)      Second Search Attempt (only if there were no results found in the first search)

- Start reducing keywords (good rule of thumb, eliminate by least important)

- don’t change original degree or certification requirements.

- Don’t change distance or search radius requirements

Note: continue eliminating keywords until you find your ideal candidate. If you do not find your ideal candidate and your keywords are too few, it is time to begin changing the other search parameters.

6)      Third Search Attempt (only if there were no results found in the second search attempt)

- Keywords can be left at the reduced number of words (important to keep at least a couple of your absolutely required keywords

- Don’t specify education (some job seekers don’t specify or use abbreviations which may not appear in search results)

- Don’t change distance or search radius requirements

Note: If this search returns a large number of results, it is worth the effort to add additional keywords to narrow the search results.

7)      Final Search Attempt

- Keywords can be left at the reduced number of words (important to keep at least a couple of your absolutely required keywords

- Don’t specify education (some job seekers don’t specify or use abbreviations which may not appear in search results)

- Change the search radius. In the event that you return no solid search results, it may be time to start looking outside your local area (many search engines now offer the option for candidates willing to relocate to your state).  In today’s market there are many qualified job seekers that are willing to relocate for the right career opportunity!

If all has failed and every attempt still offers no results, it is advisable to find a new resource. Not all resources are equal and it is definitely worth finding multiple resources, although it is not worth investing too much money as the future of free job boards is looking bright!

By Eric Schifone

http://www.inovahire.com