Along with the Advanced Filter, the Query Builder is Eploy's most powerful filtering tool, allowing you to create detailed filters by looking at any field within a Candidate, Contact, Organisation or Vacancy record.
Each of the 4 main record types above have their own Query Builder, looking at the fields contained within each record type, but they can also query the fields within associated records as well.
There are three ways to access the query builder:
Within the View menu for each of the four main record types
On the toolbar when viewing the candidate grid, as well as organisations, contacts and vacancies.
Within the filter bar when viewing the Recruitment Workflow Pipeline, Tab or Talent Pool views.
The Query Builder opens in a pop-up window, so you'll need to ensure you have pop-ups enabled within your browser for your Eploy system. Your local IT team can help you set that up.
Creating a Query
Whether you're creating an Organisation, Contact, Candidate or Vacancy query, the tool itself has the same layout and uses the same functions; it's only the information or records that you are searching for that changes.
By familiarising yourself with the functionality and ways of searching available, you will quickly master the Query Builder and be able to search across your entire data base.
Once you open your Query Builder of choice, you will see a series of tabs across the top which will allow you to search in different ways, meaning you can either focus on individual types of search or combine them across tabs to create complex and in depth Queries.
🤓 Tip When building your search, you can use View Count at the bottom of the Builder to see how many records will match your search.
Preferences
This section is all about the preferences or requirements specified on the record and allows you to quickly create complex queries across multiple fields.
Using the Candidate Query Builder as an example, the preferences tab will allow you to find candidates who have specified their preferred location, department or positions to work in, as well as salary requirements and a postcode based radius search. This gives you lots of flexibility to build up your search as required.
Availability
Availability applies to candidates only and allows you quickly exclude any candidates who have been hired already or have been flagged with an inactive status. The tab will be active as default, so you don't even need to do anything to include this in your search, but can be turned off by unticking the Availability tick box.
Skills
The Skills tab gives you access to all of your skills and skill groups, allowing you to create complex boolean queries using different AND / OR operators.
Free Text
Free Text allows you to make use of your boolean searching skills, as you can search for keywords and phrases within the candidate CV directly. Practise using AND / OR / NOTs / Brackets to help create detailed queries and find your most suitable candidates.
This will automatically search all of the candidates CVs you have for them, not just the latest. This can help to ensure that nothing is missed!
All Fields
This tab allows you to search within any specific field stored against your selected record type. This means you can be very specific with your search, rather than just blanket searching in skills or free text.
When you click into the All Fields tab, a second row of tabs will appear which will break down the different fields by how the data is stored:
Text - All of the free text fields stored on the record, such as names, email addresses or contact information.
Numeric - Any salary fields, as well as anything else stored as a numerical value, will be available within this tab.
Yes / No - These are all of the standard boolean options, as well as some additional special filters.
Dates - This tab allows you to search based on any date fields which relate to the record type.
Options - Any drop down lists can be found within Options, where you can pick singular or multiple options.
Languages - If you work with multi-lingual candidates or roles, you can search on language proficiency here.
Running and Saving a Query
Once you have explored the tabs and found your preferred method of searching, you can use the AND / OR buttons to add the search into your query, which is shown at the bottom of the query builder. You can then use View Count and Apply to access the records.
Building Queries can be complex, especially if it is something you will be doing a lot of. So why not save the query so you can access it instantly next time? You can also share saved queries, which makes working collaboratively even easier.
Saving Queries
To save a Query, access the My Queries tab. Give your query a Name, select who to share the query with and click Save Query
If you are editing an existing query and wish to save a new version, click Save As New Query.
Saved queries can be accessed via View > My Filters. Click Apply to run the query and see the results. Click Load to open the query and make changes.
Adding Queries to your Dashboard
Having saved a query, it can easily be added to your Dashboard.
When viewing a dashboard, click Add Widget, then:
Select the My Filters widget type
Select which Record Type your queries relate to (you can only view the queries for one record type in a single widget)
Give your widget a Title
Select which queries to display within the widget, clicking Add each time.
Click Save when done.
Your saved queries will be added to your Dashboard.
🤓 Tip If you have created and saved any Filters within the Advanced Filter tool, they can be added to your dashboards in the same way.