What Does a Google URL mean? Part I

Search engines such as Google, Bing and Yahoo are used throughout the sourcing community on a daily basis to source talent.  We are so use to plugging our Boolean operators into Google, narrowing down searches and sifting through the results.

But, have you ever looked at the Google URL when conducting a search?  If not you should!

Every query we ask Google to run is represented with a URL that points to a results page, these URL’s are not static, but dynamic links which are continually updated and therefore provide real time results.  So if I run a search for a Java developer with Struts and Hibernate experience based in Bristol today, Google will provide a URL which is two things:

1. Active connection to a list of results
2. A compact shorthand version of a Google query

Once we understand the Syntax behind a Google URL it is easy for us to realise the subject matter of the search query as well as enabling us to easily modify the search query.

Google URL’s are a great way to keep lengthy Boolean search strings concise and also allow quick modification of the URL and resulting Google queries.

My next post will give a thorough break down of a Google URL and explain the Syntax used.

Why the blog?

I have worked as an IT Recruiter for several years recruiting niche and hard to find skill sets such as C#, .NET, Java and SQL.  Since my first day working as a senior recruiters “bitch” sourcing candidates and “pulling” leads the role has changed hell of a lot!

Let’s face it, back in those good old days, you posted a job online, your inbox was inundated with candidates, you spoke to the best 10 on paper and short listed the best three for the client and Bob’s your uncle, a placement and a big fat fee!  How things have changed!

Now highly skilled technologists aren’t uploading their CV to Monster, Jobsite or any of the other sites or applying for jobs online, so where are they and how are they found? 

This continual search for the top talent has made me think out side the box to develop a host of telephoning sourcing techniques and more recently the use of Boolean Logic and Boolean Searches.

The aim of this blog is to share internet and telephone sourcing techniques I adopt each day as well as expanding my knowledge in the field of sourcing top IT talent.