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Understanding the Hiring Search Tool
Understanding the Hiring Search Tool

This article goes over what the Hiring Search tool is and the basics of how to use it

Updated this week

Recruiters have long used tools like X-Ray or Boolean Search to pinpoint ideal candidates. However, similar tools for job seekers have been scarce until now. Careerflow's Hiring Search tool empowers job seekers with the same advanced search capabilities used by hiring professionals. So now YOU as a job seeker can find recruiters, hiring managers, and people to network with who are hiring for your skillset and target role.


Here's a video that goes over the entire process:


What Is X-Ray Search and How Does It Benefit You?

X-Ray Search employs Boolean logic to refine search results on search engines. By combining keywords with operators like AND, OR, and NOT, you can pinpoint specific information that might be hidden in a regular search.

For example, instead of a broad search for "recruiters hiring," which yields generic results, a Boolean search can narrow down to "recruiters hiring AND Google OR Facebook NOT Amazon," delivering a targeted list of profiles.

How does Careerflow's X-Ray Search Work?

Careerflow's X-ray search tool leverages Boolean logic to sift through the vast amount of data available on the internet, specifically focusing on retrieving LinkedIn profiles of professionals that match your search criteria and have in some way, shape, or form indicating that they are either recruiting, hiring managers, or have shared content related to Hiring.

How To Access Careerflow's Hiring Search Tool

  • Via Direct URL: To utilize Careerflow's Hiring Search tool directly, you can navigate to hiring-search.careerflow.ai

  • Via Careerflow Dashboard: On the Careerflow app dashboard, you should see a button that says "Find Recruiters" which takes you to the Hiring Search tool

  • Via Chrome Extension: On the Chrome Extension, you should see an option "Find Recruiters"

Once you visit the page, you should see the X-ray Search Tool page much like below,

How To Find Recruiters and Hiring Managers using Careerflow's Hiring Search Tool

Careerflow's Hiring Search (aka X-ray search) tool offers a variety of options to search for Hiring Managers, Recruiters, and those who have in some way, shape, or form indicated they may be hiring. You can use a variety of search filters and combinations to craft your unique queries to find these people!

Step 1: Input Search Criteria

💡 All search criteria are optional and you can pick and choose the minimum criteria that works for you!

Include Target Companies

  • Type in the names of the companies where you aspire to work. You can specify more than one and adjust the Boolean operator to refine your search.

  • You can click on the "OR" to convert it to an "AND" or vice versa.

List your Skills

  • Include skills that make you a standout candidate. These act as keywords that align with what recruiters are seeking. In practice, listing out 1-3 skills is sufficient, as there may not be that many profiles available if you enter too many skills.

Specify Your Preferred Location

  • Choose your desired work location from our drop-down list to ensure the results are relevant to your geographic preference. Currently, you can choose based on Country, but if you want to drill-down further, you can add specific location-based keywords in the "Include Keywords" section.

Define your target role(s)

  • Input the titles of roles you're targeting to get a list of hiring professionals looking for candidates in those positions, or who currently hold those positions.

  • The "Exact Search" checkbox will make sure that the roles appear exactly as you wrote them in the search criteria. We recommend keeping this off, unless you want exact matches only. For example, if you search for "SQL Engineer" with "exact match" disabled, you may find people who are hiring or shown interest in "Database Engineer" and "SQL Analyst" roles as well.

Include or Exclude Keywords

  • Add or exclude keywords to further tailor your search. This ensures the results are as relevant as possible.

Step 2: Click "Find out who is Hiring"

Once you are ready with your search criterias, all you need to do is click "Find out who is hiring!" and you'll be taken to the Google Search results page with a list of profiles that are relevant to your query!

Step 3: View Profiles​

On the Google Search results page, you should see a list of Profiles that are relevant to your search query. If you see any "Sponsored" results, you should skip those and look for the real LinkedIn Profiles that show up.

From here, you can visit the profiles, and if you find them relevant, you can reach out to them to build a connection. You can use our Elevator Pitch tool to craft a compelling LinkedIn Intro Message, and also use our Networking Tracker to keep track of these people and add them to your networking tracking!


Save and Share Your Searches

Save your Searches

  • After you have searched successfully, you can Save the search for later, using the "Save Query" button. This will save this query for later.

  • You must enter in a title to give your saved query so that it can easily be looked up and shared with your friends.

Share your Searches

  • Once you've saved your searches, you'll also get a popup with options to share the search. You can share directly via URL or a variety of different platforms.


Comparing Careerflow vs LinkedIn Boolean Searches

Now, you might be wondering if you could just do the same searches on LinkedIn, why would you need Careerflow's search to pull up LinkedIn profiles? That's a great question! We'll compare in this section Careerflow's search vs LinkedIn's own Boolean Search functionalities.

In general, Careerflow's Boolean Searches are better due to,

  • More Comprehensive: It retrieves an extensive list of profiles matching your criteria, not limited to the visible few on LinkedIn.

  • Unbiased Results: It doesn't rank profiles based on activity but rather on relevance to your search terms.

  • Skill-Based Searching: Beyond roles and companies, you can search for hiring professionals who are looking for your specific skill set.

  • Exclusions: You can strategically exclude keywords that you are not interested in seeing in your target profiles.

  • No limitations: Unlike LinkedIn's search, you are not limited to a set number of queries per day/week/month.

Example of LinkedIn vs Careerflow Boolean Search

Let's take for example the same search we had in the examples before, where we looked for people who are hiring Software Engineers in companies Microsoft and Apple, for ReactJs and Javascript skillsets, in California.

For Careerflow's result, we can see multiple results including managers, recruiters, and engineers. For LinkedIn, despite using the "Premium" (paid) functionalities of finding out who is actively hiring, we were not able to pull up a single profile.

You can try this yourself and will find better results on Careerflow, 100% of the time.


FAQs

Q: What if I’m not familiar with Boolean Search?

  • Our tool is user-friendly, and you don't need to be an expert in Boolean Search. Just input your details, and the tool generates the search string for you.

Q: Can I use this tool for companies outside of FAANG?

  • Absolutely! While it's optimized for top tech companies, it's equally effective for uncovering opportunities in startups and other industries.

Q: What happens after I find recruiters’ profiles?

  • You can leverage these profiles to reach out directly, network, and even gain referrals, significantly increasing your chances of landing an interview.

Q: What if I don’t find any results matching my criteria?

  • If you don’t get the expected results, try adjusting your search criteria. Use broader terms or different combinations of Boolean operators to expand your search. Sometimes, a slight modification in keywords or location can yield significantly different results.

Q: Is there a limit to how many searches I can perform?

  • Careerflow’s Hiring Search Tool is designed to provide unlimited searches to help you fully explore your job opportunities. However, responsible use is encouraged to ensure the tool remains effective and accessible for all users.

Q: How can I ensure my outreach to recruiters is effective?

  • When reaching out to recruiters, personalize your message. Reference specific details from their profile or job postings to show genuine interest. Keep your message concise, professional, and include a brief overview of your skills and how you can add value to their team.

Q: Can this tool help me if I’m looking for remote or international opportunities?

  • Yes, Careerflow’s Hiring Search Tool is versatile enough to support searches for remote and international positions. Simply include “remote” or the desired country in your location field to tailor your search accordingly.

Q: What should I do if I get a verification screen from Google while using the tool?

  • If you encounter a verification screen from Google, it's typically a security measure to ensure that the search requests are being made by a real person and not an automated system. Simply complete the verification as instructed on the screen. If the issue persists, try limiting the number of searches you perform in a short period or consider using the tool at a different time.

Q: Can I access my saved searches later?

  • Yes, you can access your saved searches at any time. Careerflow's Hiring Search Tool allows you to save your search criteria under a specific name for future use. To access your saved searches, simply navigate to the saved searches section within the tool. This feature helps you quickly revisit your searches without the need to re-enter the search criteria.

Q: Is the Careerflow Hiring Search Tool free to use?

  • Yes, the Careerflow Hiring Search Tool is completely free to use. Our goal is to empower job seekers with the tools they need to find their dream job without financial barriers. Enjoy unlimited searches and access to advanced search capabilities at no cost.

Q: How often is the database updated for the Hiring Search Tool?

  • The Hiring Search Tool leverages real-time data from search engines like Google, ensuring that you have access to the most current and relevant information. Since the tool generates searches based on live internet data, it automatically includes the latest updates from LinkedIn profiles and other sources.

Q: Can I share my search results with others?

  • Yes, you can share your search results with others. After generating your search, you can copy the URL of the search results page and share it with your network, mentors, or friends who could benefit from the same information. This feature makes it easier to collaborate on job searches or get input from your peers.

Q: What if I encounter errors or bugs while using the tool?

  • If you encounter any errors or bugs while using the Careerflow Hiring Search Tool, please reach out to our support team with a detailed description of the issue. We're committed to providing a seamless user experience and will work diligently to resolve any problems you might face.


Conclusion

Careerflow's Hiring Search Tool empowers you with advanced search capabilities to strategically navigate the job market. It offers a level of precision in identifying potential job opportunities and networking contacts that traditional job search methods cannot match. Whether you're seeking roles in FAANG companies, startups, or any industry in between, this tool places a wealth of opportunities at your fingertips. By proactively engaging with recruiters and leveraging your network, you enhance your visibility and increase your chances of landing your ideal role. Start utilizing this tool today to transform your job search strategy and step confidently into the landscape of tech job hunting.

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