Utilizing Boolean Search Strings - A Recruiters secret weapon

As a seasoned Recruitment Manager, it amazes me to see how many of my new reports, NOT currently utilizing Boolean searches as a means to generate solid leads. Could it be that most recruiters do not truly understand how to harness the power of Boolean searches? Maybe most take a "post and pray" (posting a job and waiting for results) approach to staffing....Or should we assume that employers are not investing enough towards training their recruitment teams? What ever the reason, one thing most "guerrilla recruiters" DO understand, is that Boolean searches are 100% free! Yes....Free!! We don't get much of that anymore....do we?   

A few benefits to Boolean searches:

• Finding passive talent that may not have been found via traditional methods
• Name generation to leads that can point you to a "star" candidate
• Learning what other companies use as titles for a similar discipline/job 
• Penetrating firewalls to social media sites, and looking inside without building a profile

With the baby boomers set to begin retiring in the next 5-10 years, and a global war on talent already heating up, it would be prudent for recruiters to begin building a "tool box" of creative sourcing techniques. In doing so, one can have an advantage over those that choose not to embrace these techniques. There is lots of great literature out there that will assist you in learning the fundamentals of Boolean logic. I highly recommend that you invest a few bucks to purchase a book, and learn how it can bring value to your clients, or employers recruitment function.

Anyone seeking more information on Boolean searches, are welcome to email me (see email link at the top of my blog).

Happy Hunting!!

   

Onstar to support social media

In a push to complete against Ford's new digital system SYNC, Onstar has announced plans to bring social networking to its GM drivers. Onstar is currently testing the possibilities and safety of this voice command option, and are have not yet announced a release date.

Its not rocket science on how this will change the playing field for recruiters that leverage social media as a tool in sourcing top talent. Onstar & SYNC will now allow recruiters to connect with people during their commutes home, or while stuck in traffic. How awesome would it be to interview or discuss a new gig, while waiting in bumper to bumper traffic?