As many of the loyal FOT readers know, I frequent the ERE forums and pass out advice on building strings, creating sourcing strategy and just about anything I’m feeling reasonably brilliant about on an any given day.
I may have even mentioned that the AIRS forums now exist for alumni so that we can further chat about
search strings, XRays, FlipSearches and the like. But, I wonder as I write string and as I talk to our Trainers, who are some of the most amazing string writers I’ve ever had the honor to work with, is your string dating you?
Do you look like a dinosaur because of your string writing? Are you trying to look like an über sleuther using symbols that don’t matter?
I’ve noticed I’ve had some pseudo über sleuths tailing behind me on my posts, trying to look all tripped out with the pipe symbol (|) and various other symbols in their string. If I were hiring a sourcer and they gave me a sample string (because I would ask for one in the interview process…) and it included the pipe symbol – well, I’d want to know if they could explain boolean string structure and justify using the pipe symbol in the present day. And let’s just confirm that I’m not a dinosaur – but the Internet is a quickly changing medium and I want somebody who really knows how to build killer effective and efficient string.
Seriously, are you using the “|” to feel like a super tricked out über sleuther? Let’s review the history on that particular symbol – first – it originated on Google. Second – it truly was useful “back in the day” and for those of us over 30, well let’s just say we know what “back in the day” of Internet sourcing means – that’s like early 2000-2001. Word is, from the historians of search, that the pipe symbol was functional on Google back then, when “OR” wasn’t recognized by the engine in a boolean string. Now, in present day search, are you a hacker if you use the | symbol instead of “OR”?
Uh, no, you’re not. You’re someone using outdated string operators to build a string that will work pretty much on Google alone.
So, here’s my point – if you are going to spend your precious recruiting and sourcing time building string, wouldn’t you really like it to span multiple search engines instead of having to tweak it every time you run it? Well, then build string with “OR” and skip the | symbol.
Want to work on a sample together? Drop me a line, Tweet me, or better yet, if you’re already an Alum, visit me in the Forums…
So, I think you’re mixing up your terminology. While a verticle bar can be used to designate a pipe in several computer operating systems, (mostly UNIX and UNIX variants)in the context you’re using it in, it is simply an OR, and would not be called a pipe. More info on pipes here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pipe_%28Unix%29
More info on the character itself here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vertical_bar
A pipe refers to a data pipe. An OR is just an OR, and yes, the verticle bar can designate both, but in boolean strings, a pipe is not the same as an OR.
I can see where there might be some confusion, as us old UNIX guys tend to always call that symbol a pipe, even in situations when it is not representing a pipe. But, your use of the word pipe seems to me like you’re trying to seem “uber” yourself.
And, being a manager myself, I’m not sure why you would care what symbol they use. If they understand what they’re doing, who cares? If it’s causing them to have to rewrite a string, then most text editors have a very simple search and replace feature.
A lot of us get stuck in dogmatic ways of doing things, for whatever reason. If someone doesn’t get hired because of a “dated” string, then the person doing the hiring is being ridiculous, unless that “dated” string is ineffective. I tend to be more likely to hire someone that knows the old way of doing things, and understands the old way of doing things, because they’ll be more useful in the long run because of their knowledge of the way things work on the inside. It sounds like in situations where it may not work on a particular search engine, a little coaching from the person’s boss would fix the situation.
I really don’t take issue with your point, as yes, having to tweak your string could prove to be a time waster. But, I do take issue with your tone. I mean, seriously, is anyone really trying to look like a hacker using that symbol? I use that symbol every day because I have to in my line of work. It could be that the people you see using it have just done it for years, and I bet they don’t deserve you accusing them of trying to look like “uber sleuths”.
Thanks Unix Guy-
But I’m not mixing up my terminology……in sourcing circles the | has been referred to as the “pipe symbol” for years……..folks that have been around as long as I have get it, know what it is and what it was.
And my point is…..don’t waste time. If |=OR then use OR. Recruiters and Sourcers need to get through their work in a timely fashion so they can make hires, not diddle around with search string. And they shouldn’t be trying to overimpress whomever – their clients, potential clients or bosses with a symbol that’s unnecessary.
Professionals that understand that “|” years ago get that they can build a string like:
(inurl:resume OR intitle:resume OR inurl:cv OR intitle:cv OR inurl:vitae OR intitle:vitae)
and use it on any of the Big 3 engines – and take it a few other places as well – to say the least. The point is to be efficient – and do it right…..
Wow, interesting post.
No offense here, but get off your high-horse. I went through AIRS and was eventually Certified. This attitude by the organization is EXACTLY why I stopped looking to AIRS for their thought-leadership. The tone of your post is very condesending and does not win favors with your audience.
So you’re a “Sourcing Researcher for AIRS”…so what. It looks like you’re the one dating yourself and skills here.
Three points:
1. Has it occurred to you that some sourcerers may be using the pipe symbol to save character space within their Google search string?
2. Using the pipe symbol is simply a faster way to write the search string in Google. So what if a recruiter uses this method and you don’t – who cares? A savvy recruiter will know when (and when not) to use this technique across the BIG 3 search engines.
3. Your comment:
“You’re someone using outdated string operators to build a string that will work pretty much on Google alone.”
WTF?? Are you kidding me? The pipe symbol can also be used on sites such as Monster and other boards.
I suggest you take time and do more research before you create a post that completely turns off your target audience.
How many people responded to your post?
Wow – nothing like comments lobbed from the anonymous poster. The anger I don’t get…..but whatever…….if the pipe symbol is that personal to you – you’re welcome to your anonymous thoughts – and please keep using it……But I have to respond to your comments.
It’s too bad that you’ve skipped out on AIRS -I’m kind of surprised that you decided to read any of my posts here considering I’m pretty upfront about who I work for.
I do believe the company I work is doing some great things in the arena of recruitment and sourcing training and we have some amazing research talent. I will give you that the pipe symbol “|” is certainly an option when creating a search and we do mention it as an option for “OR” in one of our classes- but if you search on a global basis, if you want your search to work everywhere most of the time – why wouldn’t you do it with “OR” the first time around? And if you’re training sourcers don’t you want them trained the right way, with the terminology that works across engines instead of saying this will work on search engine A, C and D but B and E require something different? What a time sucker.
In my experience, sourcers and recruiters have to multi-task – knowing the right way to build a search and knowing that one Search Engine or one job board will not produce all of their best and brightest candidates pushes them to write the best string. And, I’d rather see someone have a multi-functional string that they can use on mutliple resources than a string that has to be edited and tweaked to work.
That’s fine you disagree, some people will, some people won’t. It’s a blog post, I mean c’mon, really now…..
Hate, dislike and simple disagreement are fun especially when they are about non-fundamentals
But it’s usually takes a little pep or spunk to get the reader drones to show themselves and share a bit of their thinking.
So, in the famous words of George W Bush, let me say: “Mission Accomplished”.