The Candidate Keyword Search feature helps hiring managers quickly find applicants by searching for specific keywords across resumes, cover letters, and internal notes. This makes it easier to locate candidates with targeted skills, experiences, or qualifications.
Follow the steps below to perform a keyword search:
Step 1: Access the Keyword Search
-
In the top navigation bar, click Candidates.
-
From the dropdown menu, select Keyword Search.
This will bring you to the Keyword Search page.
Using the Keyword Search Generator
The Keyword Search Generator allows you to customize your candidate search based on keywords found in resumes, cover letters, and internal notes.
You can also refine your search by:
-
Applying additional filters through dropdown menus
-
Setting a date range to search candidates based on when their file was submitted
Steps to Perform a Search
-
Enter your desired keywords into the search field.
(Boolean searches are supported; see tips below.)
-
Select where you want to search by checking:
-
Resume Text
-
Notes
-
Both
-
-
(Optional) Apply additional filters using the dropdown menus.
-
(Optional) Set a Date Range to narrow down candidates by submission date.
-
Click Search to retrieve matching candidates from your Hirebridge database.
- Must Contain:
Use + for must contain: +spanish +fluent
- Must Not Contain:
Use - for must not contain: -printer, -password
- Add "OR" to search for at least one of your keywords.
To find listings that include any of the keywords you enter, type "or" between the terms.
For example, here's how to search for a candidate with Harvard or Yale in their resume or notes.
Example: Harvard or Yale
- Exact Phrase:
Use " " for an exact match phrase.
Here's how to search the database for all candidates within the selected time frame that have that exact phrase in their resume (or notes if selected):
Example: "Harvard University"
Exact Phrase searches are necessary when searching for short or technical terms, such as a basic computer language which must be entered as "C#".
- Wildcard Phrase:
Use * as a wildcard (for inflections)
Here's how to search the database for all candidates within the selected time from that have inflections of the word print, such as prints, printer, printing, etc.
Example: print* (brings inflections of the word print)
- Combination Of Words:
Building a query using a combination of words:
Here's how to search the database for all candidates within the selected time from that have Printer Paper and not Lexmark.
Example: "printer paper" -Lexmark
- You don't need to type "and."
System automatically searches for candidates with all the keywords you enter.
Here's how to search for all candidates that have Harvard, accounting and MBA in the resume or notes.
Example: Harvard Accounting MBA
- Don't bother with capitalization.
Our searches are not case sensitive. You'll get the same results whether you enter "Lawyer" or "lawyer"
- Double-check your spelling
We do not include a spell check component in the keyword search.
- Using Date Ranges
Use Date Range to find candidates who have applied during a specific time.
Using a date range will bring quicker results and fresher candidates. Open ended searches often bring candidates that are not relevant, as they are not considered "fresh".
- Search results are limited to 1000 candidates. If your search parameters return more than that number of candidates, the system will show the first 1000, and will disable all sorting and filtering using the ActiveGrid feature. Hit the Back button on your browser and add more search parameters to refine your search, particularly for Date Range.
- The Keyword Search feature is Boolean compliant. There is a link provided on the Generator page if you need help on building Boolean queries.
- Although the candidate database is constantly indexed, keyword search times can vary in time depending on the number of candidates in your system and the number of keywords utilized.