Advanced Search in Crelate allows the ability to expose unique fields to ultimately improve your search performance.
While beginning with a Boolean search is certainly a great start, there are certainly other valuable data points that Crelate allows you to hone in on to focus your attention in the correct place.
Within Search, the Advanced option is located in the top right-hand corner as depicted below.
With Advanced enabled, you may then add a filter to query through those unique fields (custom fields included!). Any custom field created will live towards the bottom under the Other category, outside of a custom date field, which will display in Dates.
We see several primary use cases among our customer base and will share those below! We'll move down the list from top to bottom. These use cases also highlight the reporting and data analysis capabilities in Crelate, which can help you gain deeper insights into your candidate activities and streamline your recruitment process.
Past Activity - The Past Activity filter is a powerful tool in Crelate that allows users to refine their candidate searches based on historical engagement. Below is an overview of how this filter works, how it differs from regular activity filtering, and a step-by-step guide to using it effectively.
Overview of the Past Activity Filter
The Past Activity filter enables users to query for contacts who have specific activities that occurred within a defined time frame. This filter can be customized by:
Activity Type: Specify the type of activity, such as communication or task.
Owner: Filter by the individual responsible for the activity.
Date Range: Define the time period during which the activity occurred. This feature is particularly useful for identifying records based on historical engagement during a specific period.
Comparison with Regular Activity Filtering
While the Past Activity filter focuses on activities within a specific time frame, regular activity filtering retrieves records that have certain activities associated with them at any point in time. Key differences include:
Time Frame: The Past Activity filter is time-bound, whereas regular activity filtering is not unless additional date criteria are applied.
Use Case: The Past Activity filter is ideal for analyzing historical engagement, while regular activity filtering is better suited for identifying records with specific activities regardless of when they occurred.
How to Use the Past Activity Filter
To locate and use the Past Activity filter in Crelate, follow these steps:
Click on Add Filter in the candidate search interface.
Select Past Activity from the list of available filters.
Customize the filter by setting the following parameters:
Activity Type: Choose the type of activity you want to filter by.
Owner: Specify the owner of the activity, if applicable.
Date Range: Define the time frame for the activity. Once configured, the filter will display records that match your criteria.
Practical Use Cases and Tips
Use the Past Activity filter to identify candidates who engaged with your team during a specific hiring campaign.
Combine the Past Activity filter with other search criteria to narrow down your results further.
Regularly update your filters to align with your current recruitment goals. By understanding and leveraging the Past Activity filter, you can enhance your candidate search process and make more informed decisions based on historical engagement data.
2. Email + Phone Number - Do my contacts have an email address or phone number already on file? It's often common to look to clean up data or find those contacts that may be missing information that you'd like to source and update. Selecting the Email or Phone number fields and then selecting the cogwheel will allow you to search for contacts who either have 'any' data or 'no' data in that field. Meaning, do my contacts have an email/phone number, or do they not?
3. Crelate's 'Date' Fields - We offer a large variety of date fields that will allow you to query through your system based on Last Activity, Engagement, Reach Out, etc. For more on our date fields, check out the link here: Last Updated, Last Activity, Last Engagement and Other Date Fields
4. Activity Form Responses - Do you use Crelate's Activity Forms? If not, you definitely should (check out the link)! Let's say your team conducts an interview, and in the process, you ask targeted questions of the contact about contract dates, why they are leaving their current employer, if they're willing to relocate, etc. Wouldn't it be great if on top of a Boolean search for all my - Sales Managers and Sales Executives - who live in Washington D.C., I could also query using the information these candidates have provided? With Activity Form Responses, you do have the option to search based on ANY question you have in your forms.
5. On Opportunity - Last but certainly not least, is the ability to search for qualified candidates who either are currently, or were previously, being considered for a job. Let's say a new job comes in your queue to fill, and suddenly you need a qualified Sales candidate fast. Why not start with someone in your database who has already progressed through your candidate workflow in the past? With this option, you can not only opt to just search through, in this case, previous Sales opportunities, but you may also use the 'Stage' filter to look only for those candidates that may have progressed to a particular stage. Additionally, you can generate monthly reports by grouping or pivoting data by the interview stage date. This allows you to track the number of candidates at each stage over time, providing valuable insights into your hiring pipeline.
Tips for Effective Data Grouping and Filtering
Consistency in Data Logging: Ensure that interview events and other activities are logged consistently in stages or activity data to improve reporting accuracy.
Use Grouping for Complex Filters: When applying multiple filters, group related conditions (e.g., location filters) to simplify the search logic.
Leverage Reporting Tools: Use Crelate's reporting features to analyze data trends, such as monthly interview counts or activity ownership.
What's Next?
Looking for more search training and more advanced steps? Take a look at our content below!