Looking for advice on practicing searches

[Holly Miller]

I am making a career change to Technical Recruiting and am
looking for some advice on the best way to prepare myself for the
technical recruiting role - specifically my search skills.
I took the initiative to become an AIRS CIR and I would like some advice on the best way to "practice" searches while I am actively looking for a technical recruiting position.
What do you recommend? I have taken job listings for technical professionals from job boards such as Career Builder, and have searched for candidates. Is this a good method? Are there other things you would recommend I do to gain knowledge while engaged in my job search.
Any advice is greatly appreciated!
Thank you.

[gary cozin]

You already took the AIRS CIR - and sounds like you are following this group - you should also join/follow the Boolean Strings group on LinkedIN-

Best way I can suggest is to create srings & refine, refine, refine - then practice, practice, practice

You can create strings for all commands and practice - ex: using the site: command, inurl:resume and intitle:resume commands for Google- practice them

You should sign up for newsletters on Boolean techniques - can attend webinars from the moderator of this group (Irina)

Good luck!

[Holly Miller]

Thanks for the advice Gary. I have also been reading all posts where you and others help people with search strings
and I plan on practicing with those suggestions as well.
Holly


gary cozin said:

You already took the AIRS CIR - and sounds like you are following this group - you should also join/follow the Boolean Strings group on LinkedIN-

Best way I can suggest is to create srings & refine, refine, refine - then practice, practice, practice

You can create strings for all commands and practice - ex: using the site: command, inurl:resume and intitle:resume commands for Google- practice them

You should sign up for newsletters on Boolean techniques - can attend webinars from the moderator of this group (Irina)

Good luck!

[Manick Paul]

Hi,

As a beginner you can start up with the portal search first after that you can start search practice on Web Engines like Google, Yahoo and so on. practice on few communities like Linkedin, Twitter, Face Book etc. And this is the very good place Boolean String here you can discuss your all doubts what ever you face everyday. And above all you have to be well aware of Technologies what all going in the market currently.

Regards
Manick

[Shannon Myers]

I agree with everyone, practice tweaking your strings. A few thoughts....

Names, Titles, Skills
I'm not sure what niche you are changing from into Technical but to also familiarize yourself with different title and skill names. You may just start by using thesaurus.com and plugging in skill or title names. Broadlook.com offers a free product called Title Research. If you plug in a title into Title Research it will give you back every possible other title that might be called. Another one people overlook is onetcodeconnector.org. It is meant to give you occupational code names and numbers but it breaks down professions into verying titles, job descriptions and skill sets. You might find some wording in those that help you with your search.

Search Engines
There are so many different search engines and though they do often bring back similiar results they all have different algorithms they use in deciding your search results. Practice your strings on different engines. Google, Yahoo, Exalead, Bing/Live, Altavista, Dogpile, Clusty is fun for suggestions, etc..... There are also so many sites to search specifically people like the obvious LinkedIn, Twitter, Job Sites like CB and Monster, but explore what you might use if you only have partial contact information like Jigsaw.com, Wink, Pipl or Zabasearch.

Network
You are already on here and have some great users that are always here to help. Gary and Irina are amazing with search strings. There is a site as Gary mentioned on LinkedIn for Boolean Strings. Irina has built a list of recruiters who are on Twitter and there is almost someone on that list on Twitter at any point in the day who would offer some assistance. If you are not already a member Recruitingblogs.com and ere.net are also great networks that have forums for people to discuss topics in sourcing as well as new tips, sites and techniques.

Good luck and please feel free to post as often as you need assistance. There is always someone on her to help!

[gary cozin]

Thx for the kind words, Shannon! Much appreciated!

Shannon Myers said:

I agree with everyone, practice tweaking your strings. A few thoughts....

Names, Titles, Skills
I'm not sure what niche you are changing from into Technical but to also familiarize yourself with different title and skill names. You may just start by using thesaurus.com and plugging in skill or title names. Broadlook.com offers a free product called Title Research. If you plug in a title into Title Research it will give you back every possible other title that might be called. Another one people overlook is onetcodeconnector.org. It is meant to give you occupational code names and numbers but it breaks down professions into verying titles, job descriptions and skill sets. You might find some wording in those that help you with your search.

Search Engines
There are so many different search engines and though they do often bring back similiar results they all have different algorithms they use in deciding your search results. Practice your strings on different engines. Google, Yahoo, Exalead, Bing/Live, Altavista, Dogpile, Clusty is fun for suggestions, etc..... There are also so many sites to search specifically people like the obvious LinkedIn, Twitter, Job Sites like CB and Monster, but explore what you might use if you only have partial contact information like Jigsaw.com, Wink, Pipl or Zabasearch.

Network
You are already on here and have some great users that are always here to help. Gary and Irina are amazing with search strings. There is a site as Gary mentioned on LinkedIn for Boolean Strings. Irina has built a list of recruiters who are on Twitter and there is almost someone on that list on Twitter at any point in the day who would offer some assistance. If you are not already a member Recruitingblogs.com and ere.net are also great networks that have forums for people to discuss topics in sourcing as well as new tips, sites and techniques.

Good luck and please feel free to post as often as you need assistance. There is always someone on her to help!

[Holly Miller]

Hi Manick -

Thanks for the advice - and you are right - I do need to also work on my knowledge of what technical skill sets, etc. are hot. I worked as a DBA for quite a few years, and have many friends and former colleages that work in technology, so hope to use them as resources to gain more knowledge.

Holly

Manick Paul said:

Hi,

As a beginner you can start up with the portal search first after that you can start search practice on Web Engines like Google, Yahoo and so on. practice on few communities like Linkedin, Twitter, Face Book etc. And this is the very good place Boolean String here you can discuss your all doubts what ever you face everyday. And above all you have to be well aware of Technologies what all going in the market currently.

Regards
Manick

[Holly Miller]

Shannon - Thanks for so much great advice and all the resources. Truly appreciated!
Holly

Shannon Myers said:

I agree with everyone, practice tweaking your strings. A few thoughts....

Names, Titles, Skills
I'm not sure what niche you are changing from into Technical but to also familiarize yourself with different title and skill names. You may just start by using thesaurus.com and plugging in skill or title names. Broadlook.com offers a free product called Title Research. If you plug in a title into Title Research it will give you back every possible other title that might be called. Another one people overlook is onetcodeconnector.org. It is meant to give you occupational code names and numbers but it breaks down professions into verying titles, job descriptions and skill sets. You might find some wording in those that help you with your search.

Search Engines
There are so many different search engines and though they do often bring back similiar results they all have different algorithms they use in deciding your search results. Practice your strings on different engines. Google, Yahoo, Exalead, Bing/Live, Altavista, Dogpile, Clusty is fun for suggestions, etc..... There are also so many sites to search specifically people like the obvious LinkedIn, Twitter, Job Sites like CB and Monster, but explore what you might use if you only have partial contact information like Jigsaw.com, Wink, Pipl or Zabasearch.

Network
You are already on here and have some great users that are always here to help. Gary and Irina are amazing with search strings. There is a site as Gary mentioned on LinkedIn for Boolean Strings. Irina has built a list of recruiters who are on Twitter and there is almost someone on that list on Twitter at any point in the day who would offer some assistance. If you are not already a member Recruitingblogs.com and ere.net are also great networks that have forums for people to discuss topics in sourcing as well as new tips, sites and techniques.

Good luck and please feel free to post as often as you need assistance. There is always someone on her to help!