Everyone wants to know how to speed up their search through queries. Is this even possible? First, let’s start with the definition of search query: “the sum of the keywords, Boolean operators, operator modifiers and field command describing to the search engines what we intend to find and by which results are made available.”

By that definition, you can’t exactly speed up a “sum,” but, you can speed up processing time to reach the desired results. The search time is the amount of time spent on a given search until you accomplish your desired results. Therefore, your query is constantly changing, potentially every new keyword variation or even every new command variant holds the key to a your perfect candidate.

Unfortunately, if you aren’t very adept at query composition then your search time can be rather long. The good news is that are ways to speed up your search time! In the next few posts we’ll explore different tools and techniques to improve your search results.

How to Speed Up Your search results
BrainStorm Keyword Strategies - Yes, even though everyone knows the importance of keywords, this is the area that is most often overlooked. Recruiters normally are taught to highlight the keywords in a job description and to line them into a query to reach the desired results. Even though this method may give some results giving the impression of success, regrettably every other recruiter with the same keywords will find the same candidates.

Spend some time developing other searchable terms as it can help tremendously to shorten search time. By visiting websites like, acronymfinder.com, wikipedia, foldoc and others and taking minutes to understand terms and to analyze the requirements separating principal searchable concepts you can then find other synonymous concepts with which you can have a great impact on your search time. Don’t worry if it seems complicated, it will only take a little practice and with an open mind you will develop your own keyword strategies, find your own sweet spot, and shave hours if not days off of your search.

First, identify the important concepts, focusing on the skill more so than keywords, research them to elaborate them into synonymous terms, then combine just a few keywords; as the search progresses add additional keywords. Limit the key concepts to three or fewer; under rare occasions this guideline can increase to four. You can increase the number of keywords but not the concepts you can increase results by connecting them using appropriate Boolean operators &/or attributes to create search blocks. (we’ll discuss Boolean later)

To get winning or successful results from your query, avoid using redundant terms as they may diminish your prospects for success. Redundant keywords are normally the result of combining terms dealing with the different concepts. You can generally spot redundant terms by asking the question, “Is this term already covered by another keyword?”

An important part of keyword selection is considering how the terms are used by others. Some keywords could be popularly used by webmasters to increase their website ranking. Targeting the best possible terms is of critical importance, but achieving the desired results, encompasses more than merely entering highlighted terms and choosing the least trafficked terms. There is no perfect formula that will work for every single search, especially due to the fact that search engines guard the “secret sauce” that they use to index, retrieve and score results.

Continually revisit keywords, recognize that the search engines’ “secret sauce” is a moving target and that each of their adaptations affects your keyword strategies. Invest in developing an intelligent approach to identifying the perfect keyword and you’ll find your search time greatly improved.