Key Takeaways:
- Master Boolean Search: Use AND, OR, and NOT operators to refine candidate searches and find the best talent faster.
- Optimize Keywords: Broaden your search by using relevant keywords, synonyms, and variations to capture more candidates.
- Leverage Xing TalentManager: Utilize smart filters, AI recommendations, and talent pools to streamline talent acquisition.
Xing is a professional social network similar to LinkedIn, targeting the markets of Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. It provides a platform for networking, job searching, and job postings, focusing on the DACH region.
According to Labor Market Report 2024, recruiters find it increasingly difficult to work. A survey of 300 recruiters in Germany found that 63% of respondents are experiencing emotional stress and burnout due to high expectations from companies and a shortage of qualified staff.
This article will provide actionable insights into advanced search techniques on Xing to help recruiters find the best candidates.
Understanding Xing
Key Features of Xing
Xing has a user base of more than 22 million professionals. Xing users are predominantly from the German-speaking countries of Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, which comprise the platform’s core audience. They are qualified professionals with higher education, mostly between 30 and 50 years old, working in IT, finance, engineering, marketing, and medicine.
Many users are middle and senior managers interested in professional development and networking, focusing strongly on the German language and the local market.
Unlike LinkedIn, which has a more global reach, Xing specializes in deep localization in German-speaking countries, offering more niche opportunities for recruiting and building professional connections in the region.
Mastering Advanced Search Techniques on Xing
Xing provides practical search tools for recruiters that can be used at both basic and advanced levels with access to advanced features for more accurate candidate sourcing. This section discusses basic and advanced search methods to help maximize your platform use.
Basic Search Functionality
Xing allows you to filter candidate searches by specific criteria such as job titles, industry, and location. This is the foundation of more advanced search techniques that let you fine-tune your results.
Advanced Search Techniques
Using Filters
Start with a basic search by applying filters for criteria like job title, industry, and location. For example, if you’re looking for a “Software Developer” in Munich with C++ skills, apply these filters to narrow down your results.
For example, a search for “Software Developer AND C++” will give you profiles of software developers who are experienced in C++. If you’re seeking a broader pool, you could use “Software Developer OR C++” to find profiles that include either term.
Boolean Search
Boolean search combines keywords using the AND, OR, and NOT operators for a more precise search.
- AND: Shows results that contain all the specified terms. For example, “Software Engineer AND Java.”
- OR: Finds results that contain at least one of the specified keywords. For example, “Java OR Python.”
- NOT: Excludes specified terms from the search. For example, “Software Engineer NOT Intern.”
This method is ideal when dealing with a large candidate pool. For instance:
- Search for Java or Python specialists with experience in Berlin: “Software Engineer AND (Java OR Python) AND Berlin.”
- Search for marketing managers, excluding entry-level candidates: Request: “Marketing Manager AND NOT Junior.”
Keyword Optimization
Structure your search by listing all relevant keywords related to the ideal candidate’s qualifications and experience. Don’t forget to consider synonyms and variations (e.g., “Marketing Manager OR Digital Strategist”) to broaden your search.
Tip: Use Google or Wikipedia to find related terms and enhance your search strategy.
For more recruiting tips, read our article 10 Tips for Recruiters With No Experience.
Leveraging Xing TalentManager
Xing TalentManager is a powerful tool designed for recruiters looking to streamline their active sourcing efforts. It grants recruiters access to a vast talent pool of over 22 million members, of which 6 million have well-maintained profiles, offering a rich database of potential candidates.
The advanced search capabilities of Xing TalentManager are a key aspect of its utility for recruiters. Here’s how they work:
- Smart Filters: The tool provides a wide range of smart filters, such as job preferences, location, and willingness to travel. These filters allow recruiters to refine their searches and target candidates who better fit the role and the company culture. You can also save specific searches and receive notifications when new candidates matching those criteria appear.
- Talent Pooling: Recruiters can create talent pools to manage and categorize candidates for future roles. Smart pools, a feature unique to the platform, are automatically populated with candidates who meet the search criteria and are continuously updated with new talent.
- AI-Powered Search: Xing TalentManager’s AI helps generate personalized candidate recommendations, saving recruiters time by highlighting the most suitable profiles without manual searching.
These features make Xing TalentManager a highly efficient and effective tool for targeted recruitment, particularly in industries and regions where sourcing the right talent is critical.
For a detailed guide on full-cycle recruiting, including valuable tips on improving your recruitment process, check out this article on LinkMatch. It covers all stages of recruiting, from sourcing to onboarding, and offers practical advice for each step.
Utilizing Xing Tools for Recruitment
Job Ads and Employer Branding
Creating compelling job ads and building a strong employer brand go hand in hand with Xing. Your job ads should describe the role and reflect your company’s values, culture, and what sets you apart from other employers. Here’s how you can combine both effectively:
- Job Ads as a Branding Tool: Every job ad is an opportunity to promote your employer brand. Instead of focusing solely on job requirements, use the ad to highlight your company’s mission, values, and work culture. Let candidates see what makes your organization unique and why it’s a great workplace.
- Showcase Company Culture: Include testimonials from current employees and mention the work-life balance, flexibility, or any unique perks your company offers. This helps candidates envision themselves as part of your team, fostering an emotional connection before they even apply.
- Engage with Authenticity: Ensure your job ad reflects your company’s genuine values. Candidates want to know they’re joining a workplace that practices what it preaches, so consistency between your employer branding and the actual employee experience is key.
- Visual Appeal and Consistency: Use Xing’s features to include images, videos, or your company logo in job ads, making them visually appealing and aligned with your branding.
For more tips on creating job ads that engage and reflect your brand, check out our article on [Creating Engaging Xing Job Ads].
By blending effective job advertisements with solid employer branding, you attract the right talent and strengthen your company’s reputation as a desirable workplace. For a more in-depth guide on optimizing job ads, explore this checklist for the optimal design of job advertisements.
For further insights on employer branding, check out the e-book “New Hiring“.
Active and Passive Sourcing
Active sourcing involves proactively seeking out potential candidates and engaging them directly, even if they are not actively looking for a job. Xing’s TalentManager tool is handy for this. Here’s how to effectively use it:
- Refined Searches: Use detailed filters to narrow down candidates based on their skills, experience, location, and other relevant criteria.
- Personalized Outreach: Craft personalized messages that show genuine interest in the candidate’s experience and potential fit for your role.
- Building Relationships: Follow up with candidates regularly and maintain a pipeline for future opportunities by fostering long-term relationships.
Learn more about active sourcing here.
Passive sourcing relies on creating job ads and a strong employer brand that naturally attracts talent. Your job ads should act as a shop window, allowing candidates to assess your corporate culture and values. To optimize passive sourcing, ensure:
- Culture-Infused Job Ads: Job advertisements should go beyond listing requirements. Instead, they should reflect your company’s culture, values, and vision, offering a first impression of working at your company.
- Transparency and Authenticity: Showcase remote work options, flexible hours, and other employee benefits, especially if the location is less appealing.
Better Recruiting on Xing with LinkMatch
LinkMatch is a browser extension that integrates directly with Xing and your ATS, streamlining the recruiting process by automating the transfer of candidate data. When paired with advanced search strategies, LinkMatch ensures that once you’ve found the perfect candidate, their information can be quickly and accurately added to your system—without manual entry.
How LinkMatch helps recruiters:
- LinkMatch detects candidate profiles on Xing and allows you to import them into your ATS with just a few clicks. With this feature, recruiters save hours of manual data entry.
- LinkMatch provides real-time synchronization between Xing and your ATS. It recognizes if a candidate’s profile already exists in your database, preventing duplicate entries and ensuring your records remain up to date.
- By integrating Xing with your ATS through LinkMatch, recruiters can manage candidates more efficiently without switching platforms. This allows them to focus more on building relationships and finding the best talent.
Ready to streamline your Xing recruiting process? Try LinkMatch today and experience how it can save time, enhance data accuracy, and improve candidate management. Install the extension here: LinkMatch CRM Extension.
Conclusion
The right tools and techniques can make all the difference in today’s competitive job market. Xing provides a powerful platform for recruiters to connect with highly qualified candidates. Especially in the DACH region, where recruiters face increasing pressure and talent shortages.
By mastering basic and advanced search techniques on Xing, including Boolean search, keyword optimization, and Xing TalentManager, recruiters can significantly enhance their sourcing efforts.
Combining job postings with strong employer branding and using tools such as LinkMatch will ensure a more streamlined and efficient recruiting process.
FAQs: Advanced Search Techniques on Xing
What are advanced search techniques on Xing, and how can they improve my recruiting strategy?
Advanced search techniques on Xing, such as Boolean search and smart filters, allow recruiters to narrow down search results and find more relevant candidates. By combining keywords with operators like AND, OR, and NOT, recruiters can fine-tune their search criteria and identify candidates with specific skills and experience, which improves sourcing efficiency.
How does Boolean search work on Xing?
Boolean search allows recruiters to combine or exclude specific keywords using operators like AND, OR, and NOT. For example, searching “Software Developer AND Java” ensures that all results contain both terms, while “Software Developer OR Java” gives broader results containing either term. This technique helps refine search results, making it easier to find the right candidates.
What filters can I apply to narrow my candidate search on Xing?
Xing offers a range of filters, including job title, industry, location, experience level, and skills. Additionally, Xing TalentManager provides even more detailed filters like job preferences and willingness to travel, which help recruiters pinpoint candidates who are qualified and aligned with specific job requirements.
How can I optimize keyword usage in Xing’s search to find the best candidates?
To optimize keyword usage on Xing, recruiters should list all relevant skills, job titles, and industry-specific terms related to the ideal candidate. Including synonyms and variations like “Marketing Manager OR Digital Strategist” can broaden the search results. Use tools like Google or Wikipedia to find related terms and boost search accuracy.
Why should recruiters use Xing TalentManager for talent acquisition?
Xing TalentManager enhances recruiting strategies by providing access to advanced search features, smart filters, and AI-powered recommendations. It allows recruiters to create and manage talent pools, save searches, and receive notifications when new candidates matching their criteria appear. This makes Xing TalentManager a valuable tool for improving talent acquisition in the DACH region.
