Overview

The Common Reports article identifies the most commonly requested searches and include this report type. To learn how to run searches and reports within iCIMS Applicant Tracking (ATS), see Creating a Person Search. To learn how to save a report for future use, see Saving Search & Output Templates. 

Candidate Keyword Search

Helpful Hint: When creating a search, it is helpful to first come up with a clear idea for your report. Think about which candidates you want to report on (the "Who"), what details you want to know about them (the "What"), and how you want to organize the information (the "How"). The more specific you are with your idea, the easier it will be to break it down into these three sections, which will help you choose the right Keywords and Filters (for "Who"), Columns (for "What") and/or Group-Bys and Sort-Bys (for "How") for your report. This three section concept is used below to create a Candidate keyword search.

Scenario: You want to hire a graphic designer. This role requires a proficiency in Photoshop and HTML or CSS, and you want to find qualified candidates using these specific keywords. You will:

1. Break your report idea down into the three sections to help determine the best way to create your search:

1. Who are you reporting about: Using keywords, you can narrow down your search to candidates who have experience with Photoshop and HTML or CSS. 
2. What do you want to know about them: Using columns, you can see your qualified candidates' locations and a preview of their resumes right from the search results. 
3. How would you like this information organized: By default when using keywords as part of your search, your results will be sorted by Rank with your top matches at the top of the list. 

2. To create your search inside the iCIMS system, from the top menu bar, select Search > Person > Candidate. The "Who," "What," and "How" directly correlate with the three sections (A, B, and C, respectively) outlined in the below image.

A. Keywords and Filters: Who are you reporting about?

To search for active candidates with Photoshop and HTML or CSS experience, use a Boolean keyword search and Person Folder filter. 

• Keywords: 
  1. Under Keywords Options, select Boolean as the type. If you don't see Keywords Options, select Show More under the Keywords text box. 
  2. In the Keywords text box, type in Photoshop AND (HTML OR CSS). 
     • Tip: Boolean searches allow users to combine keywords and phrases to further refine results. As this search is looking for candidates with experience in Photoshop and either CSS or HTML, the operator AND is used to combine Photoshop with the grouping of additional skills. The operator OR is used to combine HTML and CSS as only one of these skills is needed for a candidate to be qualified. For more information on Boolean searches, see Introduction to Boolean Search.
• Filters:

1. Select Add Filter and add Person Folder. The selection path is Contact Tab > Person Folder.
2. Select Cand:Active from the list to the right of the added filter.

B. Columns: What do you want to know about these candidates?

To see the location of your qualified candidates, add a column for their Default Address Location. For a preview of their resume, add the column for the Candidate Resume icon. 

• Columns:

1. Select Add Column and add Default: Addresses: Location.  The selection path is Contact Tab > Default: Addresses > General > Location.
2. Select Add Column and add Candidate Resume. The selection path is Candidate Icons > Candidate Resume.

C. Group Results By and Sort Results By: How would you like this information organized?

When using keywords as part of your search, your results will automatically be sorted by Rank with candidates most closely matching your search criteria at the top. Rank will be automatically added to your Columns and Sort-Bys when you click the Search button; you do not have to manually add Rank to your search.

Additional Resources

Want a faster way to search by keyword? Try a Simplified Candidate Search, iCIMS' smarter search option. Just click Find Qualified Candidates from the Search menu and enter a job title, keyword, or skill (and location, if desired). You'll see all qualified candidates in your system who match that search criteria.

For more information, see Using Simplified Candidate Search.