X-Ray Tools For Candidate Sourcing
What recruiters should use
X-Ray Search helps recruiters find the right candidates if used properly. However, few recruiters know about it, and fewer use it correctly! This method is one of the few sourcing techniques that gives good results!
Its power consists in turning the most used search engine on this planet, GOOGLE, into your source of candidates!
The most important thing in it is the use of appropriate operators that will thoughtfully combine our keywords, returning appropriate results. The use of X-Ray Search is therefore extremely helpful, especially if we are recruiting for positions where there are many parameters/variables.
Boolean Operators
Search strings can get as complex as you want. The standard Google search engine for example allows a maximum total of 32 keywords in your search string.
Search engines like Google use semantic search to understand user intent and the context of search terms. This includes recognizing related words (synonyms). To improve accuracy, you can input your synonyms separated by an OR statement.
Examples
Let's see together, one of the simplest X-ray search queries:
So, it generated around 17,800,000 results. That is not so helpful no? Basically, by using this search, you will find all the LinkedIn professionals in this world, that hav” in their profile.
Ok, now let's narrow it further!
This query is designed to find LinkedIn profiles with the title "Java Developer," excluding those with the title "Software Engineer." It further refines the search by including profiles that mention specific Java-related technologies like "Spring Boot," "Java Spring," or "Java Backend," while excluding profiles with the term "intern."
Ok, so 13,300 is better, but still, not so relevant no? And it doesn't look so simple, no?!
Do you think that Java was too general and that the number of developers who activate in the gaming industry is smaller?
Ok, let's try a search for Unity Developer: site:linkedin.com/in unity developer
4,4860,000 results
1,040 results. Still not relevant, and with a need for improvement.
Results and recommendations
As can be seen, this method also has a downside, and that consists in the fact that search queries tend to become complicated, and mistakes can easily come into the equation!
To avoid that, until learning all x-ray secrets, at Tailed Method, we recommend using tools that do these queries for you!
X-Ray Tools
Here we have added 5 examples of these tools! There are many more, and we encourage you to do your due diligence and search Google! Always adapt and use the one that better fits your needs!
1. Recruitment Geek
Find top talent using Recruitment Geek, a highly effective LinkedIn X-ray search tool.
2. TGC LinkedIn Xray Search
Discover candidates effortlessly with TGC LinkedIn Xray Search, another fantastic LinkedIn search tool.
3. Recruit’em Xray Search
Explore profiles based on specific criteria via Recruit’em Xray Search, simplifying Linkedin, Dribbble, Google+, GitHub, Xing, StackOverflow, and Twitter searches.
4. Madsourcer LinkedIn Xray Search
Tailored for agencies and recruiters, Madsourcer LinkedIn Xray Search helps find the best-fit candidates for any job.
5. HeroHunt.ai
Find and reach the best talent across the web on autopilot.
Workable
Do You want to learn more about this method? Workable has made 3 phenomenal resources for you to learn. Check these below:
Conclusion
While this technique has the end-scope of streamlining the candidate sourcing process, you should know that Google & LinkedIn are constantly changing their algorithms, so the search queries have to adapt from time to time. What works now, won't work in 5 years!