The Google Algo Isn't Your Friend
Learn to Search Employers with Better Outcomes
I assume in the future this post will be obsolete, but as of today, the manipulated search results on most search engine are not showing you what you want.
I rarely use open search.
An open search is when someone goes to google.com and simply types key words and hits the go button.
I always recommend people prepare for interviews by reviewing the employer’s website. However, employers often have badly organized content and the research journey is often void of useful content.
The search features built into most websites are fair, but they are curated and need someone to keep things current. That means they usually are not as current as they should be.
So how can you get everything you want from an employer’s website, without getting owned by the algorithm’s desire to monetize your key strokes and mouse clicks?
I employ, deploy, the inurl and filetype search techniques along with the most common terms used within the industry I am researching.
For example, let’s say I want to know more about the curriculum at the American School of London.
I would paste this into search:
inurl:www.asl.org american school of london course of studies
You may get similar results searching different ways, but this is very organized data without any ads. I like data that is easy to read and quick to scan.
Now, consider that most employers use PDFs to share information. Using a PDF search can yield interesting results.
Running this search against Shanghai American School yields the following:
filetype:pdf Shanghai American School
The goal is to learn about the employer, find interesting things to ask questions about in interviews, and demonstrate that you have done the type of research a committed applicant would do.
I am aware everything is controlled by the algorithm, but you can use these simple tips to make certain you are heading into the information that you want instead of the data IT wants you to have.
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Why is this SubStack called, Pancake on a Stick?
Pancake on a Stick is the single funniest story I have ever heard in my life. In about a year from now, the event will be reenacted and recorded. I named the SubStack after the story, because every time I think of the name, I smile and laugh. This helps with my writing and tone, and makes me always remember the most important things in life.
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Most social media is dead to me, but you can find me on LinkedIn and Youtube.
LinkedIn (A bastion of boredom but mostly on mission)
https://www.linkedin.com/in/tdeprato/
Email
info@tonydeprato.com
My video series on Expat Recruitment is BORING but useful Listen or Watch and you can master this process.