Myths and Misconceptions
Beyond Boolean: Human Capital Information Retrieval
When I recently spoke at SourceCon in New York, I showed an example Boolean search string that could be used as a challenge or an evaluation of a person’s knowledge and ability. The search string looked something like this: (Director or “Project Manage*” or “Program Manage*” or PM*) w/250 xfirstword and (truck* or ship* or [...]
Passive Recruiting Doesn’t Exist!
When most people talk about “passive recruiting,” they’re referring to the practice of targeting and recruiting so-called “passive candidates” – people who are not actively looking to make a move from their current employer. If you accept that notion – what would be the opposite? Active recruiting? Think about it for a moment. Neither phrase even [...]
The Future of Recruiting: The More Things Change…
Now that we are on our way into exploring the new year, I’ve seen some articles on what’s coming next for the recruiting industry this year, and even as far out as 10 years from now. When I read one such article written by Kevin Wheeler, I was struck by his comment that although sourcing remains a [...]
Candidate Pipelines vs. Just-In-Time Recruiting Part 3
In Part 1 and Part 2 in this series, I explored many of the intrinsic limitations and hidden costs of traditional candidate pipelining – sourcing, screening, and “keeping warm” candidates for which you do not have a current need. To recap, traditional candidate pipelining: Is a “push” based strategy that is not based on an [...]
Candidate Pipelines vs. Just-In-Time Recruiting Part 2
In Part 1 of this series, I explored and challenged the practice of traditional candidate pipelining. Some people may have interpreted my last post on the subject to mean that I don’t believe in any form of proactively building candidate pipelines. That would be incorrect. Anyone that really knows me knows that I am not [...]
Candidate Pipelines vs. Just-In-Time Recruiting Part 1
Last week I wrote about how I learned to use Boolean search to leverage information systems to quickly source candidates, and I challenged the concept and practice of building candidate pipelines. Amybeth Hale commented on my post (thank you – you inspired me to finally write this one!) and mentioned that she was puzzled by the [...]
How I Learned What I Know About Candidate Sourcing
When it comes to my theories and best practices for leveraging information systems for quickly finding highly qualified candidates, I am often asked, ”So, how did you figure all of this stuff out?” It’s a fantastic question, and I am happy to be asked it, but my answer doesn’t seem to satisfy anyone. The short answer is literally that [...]
Candidate – Recruiter Relationships: Overrated?
What is the ultimate value you provide to candidates as a recruiter? I want you to really think about that question before proceeding. In this post, there will be more questions raised than answers provided. Please take a moment to ensure that you have your thinking cap on and that your mind is open. Who Defines Value? From the [...]
Recruiting: Art or Science?
I recently wrote an article for Ryan Leary’s CruiterTalk blog titled, “Anyone Can Learn the ‘Art’ of Sourcing.”Although the main point I wanted to make was that sourcing isn’t all that mysterious or difficult, and that it can be taught and learned with a strong interest to do so and access to proper training and guidance, [...]
Real Recruiting: Talent Identification AND Acquisition
As you might be able to tell from the name of my blog, I’m passionate about leveraging information systems for finding candidates. Unless you’re running 1 word or title-only queries, you can’t search the Internet, LinkedIn, Twitter, your ATS/CRM, or a job board resume database without using at least the most basic Boolean logic. When I post links [...]


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