Executive Summary

PyjamaHR’s Talent Pool search allows you to quickly find the right candidates by using keywords and advanced Boolean operators (AND, OR, NOT). This feature is essential for recruiters who need to filter large candidate databases efficiently, target specific skills or experience, and avoid irrelevant profiles. Mastering Boolean search in PyjamaHR can dramatically improve your sourcing accuracy and speed.

Detailed Overview

What Is Boolean Search in PyjamaHR?

Boolean search in PyjamaHR enables you to combine keywords with logical operators (AND, OR, NOT) to refine candidate searches in the Talent Pool. This is especially useful when you need to:

Find candidates with multiple required skills (e.g., Java AND React)
Broaden your search to include alternatives (e.g., "business development" OR "sales")
Exclude unwanted profiles (e.g., NOT recruiter)
Combine complex criteria for highly targeted results

When to Use Boolean Search:
- When simple keyword searches return too many or too few results
- When you need to include/exclude specific skills, companies, or locations
- When searching across all jobs or within specific job postings

Integration with Other Features:
- Boolean search works alongside filters for location, experience, and job-specific criteria.
- Results are impacted by the quality of resume parsing—if a keyword isn’t extracted from a resume, the candidate may not appear.

Business Impact:
- Reduces manual screening time
- Increases the relevance of candidate shortlists
- Helps avoid missing out on qualified candidates due to poor search queries

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Search the Talent Pool with Keywords and Boolean Operators

Prerequisites

Access to the Talent Pool in your PyjamaHR account
Boolean search feature enabled (contact support if you don’t see it)
Resumes must be properly parsed for keywords to be searchable

Steps

Navigate to the Talent Pool
- From your PyjamaHR dashboard, click on Talent Pool in the main menu.
Locate the Keyword/Boolean Search Bar
- Find the search bar labeled Keyword Search or Boolean Search (look for an info icon for operator help).
Enter Your Boolean Query
- Use the following syntax:
- AND: Both terms must be present (e.g., Java AND React)
- OR: Either term can be present (e.g., Java OR Python)
- NOT: Exclude terms (e.g., Java AND NOT recruiter)
- Parentheses for grouping: (Java OR Python) AND (developer OR engineer) AND NOT recruiter
- Example: To find candidates with "business development" experience in "Delhi" but not from "recruitment" backgrounds:
  "business development" AND Delhi AND NOT recruiter
Apply Additional Filters (Optional)
- Use the sidebar to filter by location, experience, education, etc.
Review Search Results
- Candidates matching your Boolean query will appear below.
- If no results appear, try simplifying your query or check for resume parsing issues.
Save or Export Results
- Use the Save Search or Export options if available.

Screenshot Callouts:
- Highlight the Talent Pool tab
- Show the Boolean search bar with example queries
- Indicate where to find the info icon for operator help
- Display filter sidebar for additional refinement

Advanced Usage & Best Practices

Power User Tips

Use Quotation Marks for exact phrases: "customer service"
Combine Operators for complex searches: ("Java" OR "Python") AND ("developer" OR "engineer") AND NOT recruiter
Start Broad, Then Narrow Down: Begin with OR, then add AND/NOT to refine.
Test Queries: If results seem off, try individual keywords to check parsing.

Optimization Strategies

Check Resume Formatting: If candidates don’t appear, their resumes may not be parsed correctly. Re-upload or reformat if needed.
Use Parentheses: For clarity in complex queries.
Leverage Saved Searches: For recurring hiring needs.

Do’s and Don’ts

Do:
- Use Boolean operators in ALL CAPS (AND, OR, NOT)
- Use parentheses for grouping
- Use exact phrases in quotes

Don’t:
- Don’t use lowercase operators—they may not be recognized
- Don’t overload queries with too many NOTs (may exclude good candidates)
- Don’t assume all resume content is parsed—double-check missing profiles

Troubleshooting & Common Issues

Common Problems & Solutions

1. No Results Returned
- Possible Causes: Overly restrictive query, resume parsing issues, typos.
- Solution: Simplify your query, check for correct operator usage, verify resume parsing.

2. Relevant Candidates Missing
- Possible Causes: Resume not parsed correctly, keyword not present in parsed data.
- Solution: Re-upload resume, check with support about parsing issues.

3. Irrelevant Profiles in Results
- Possible Causes: Query too broad, NOT operator not used.
- Solution: Add NOT operator to exclude unwanted terms.

4. Boolean Search Not Working/Errors
- Possible Causes: Feature not enabled, syntax error, system issue.
- Solution: Check for correct syntax, ensure Boolean search is enabled, contact support if persistent.

5. Resume Parser Issues
- Possible Causes: Poorly formatted resumes, images instead of text.
- Solution: Request candidates to upload text-based resumes, or reformat and re-upload.

Error Messages & What to Do

“Keyword search not working in DB”: Likely a parsing or system issue—contact support with candidate/job details.
“Boolean search does not work”: Share a screen recording with support for troubleshooting.
“No candidates show up when I search”: Try searching for individual keywords; if still missing, report to support.

When to Contact Support

If you consistently cannot find candidates you know are in the database
If Boolean operators are not recognized or produce errors
If you suspect resume parsing is failing for multiple candidates

Comprehensive FAQ

1. Does PyjamaHR support Boolean search in the Talent Pool?
- Yes, you can use AND, OR, and NOT operators in the keyword search bar.

2. What is the correct syntax for Boolean search?
- Use ALL CAPS for operators: Java AND (developer OR engineer) AND NOT recruiter

3. How do I exclude keywords?
- Use the NOT operator: Java AND NOT recruiter

4. Can I search for exact phrases?
- Yes, use quotation marks: "customer service"

5. Why are some candidates missing from search results?
- Their resumes may not be parsed correctly—contact support or re-upload.

6. Can I filter by location or job in addition to keywords?
- Yes, use the sidebar filters after entering your Boolean query.

7. What if Boolean search returns irrelevant profiles?
- Refine your query with more specific keywords or use NOT to exclude terms.

8. Is there a limit to the number of keywords or operators?
- No hard limit, but overly complex queries may slow down results or exclude good candidates.

9. Can I save my Boolean searches?
- Yes, use the Save Search feature if available.

10. Where can I find help with Boolean syntax?
- Hover over the info icon next to the Boolean search bar for operator tips.

11. What should I do if Boolean search is not enabled for my account?
- Contact PyjamaHR support to request access.

12. Why do some emails say search works, but it doesn’t for me?
- Feature rollouts may be gradual; ensure your account is updated or contact support.

Resume Parser: Ensures keywords are extracted for search—keep resumes in text format.
Saved Searches: Automate recurring candidate searches.
Job-Specific Filters: Combine Boolean search with job and location filters for precision.
AI Recruiter: For automated candidate recommendations (see AI Recruiter Help Article)
Screening Questions: Use in tandem with search to further filter candidates.

Recommended Next Steps:
- Review and re-upload any resumes not appearing in search.
- Train your team on Boolean search best practices.
- Contact support for feature enablement or persistent issues.

Appendix: Real-World Scenarios from Customer Conversations

Searching for “LCX” only returns 1 candidate, but more should match: Likely a resume parsing issue—contact support.
Query: Java AND (development OR developer OR programmer OR programming) AND NOT recruiter returns irrelevant profiles: Check for parsing accuracy and refine NOT operator usage.
Looking for “business dev in Delhi” but no results: Try "business development" AND Delhi and ensure resumes are parsed correctly.
How to use NOT operator: Example: Java AND NOT php excludes candidates with PHP.
Missing candidates with known keywords: Re-upload resume or contact support to check parsing.

If you follow the steps and best practices in this guide, you’ll maximize your ability to find the right candidates in PyjamaHR’s Talent Pool using powerful Boolean search. For persistent issues, don’t hesitate to reach out to our support team with specific examples for fastest resolution.

How to Search the Talent Pool in PyjamaHR Using Keywords and Boolean Operators (AND, OR, NOT)