Help for Searching the Database

Common Questions or Problems

• How can I improve my search results?
1. Use the Advanced Search or Consultant Finder Search forms to submit your search.
2. Put a small number of essential terms in the required fields to eliminate listings without them. All required terms must be present for a listing to be found.
3. Put key phrases in "" to elevate the ranking of listings containing them.


• How is the ranking calculated?
1. The search terms are split into phrases using "" and , to indicate the boundary of a phrase.
2. The search terms are divided into groups of one, two, and three words in the order they are entered. Common words such as "and", "a", etc., are ignored.
3. Each occurrence of a case-sensitive exact match receives four points.
4. Each occurrence of a case-insensitive partial-word match receives one point.
5. Each occurrence of a phrase or word in that was in "" in the search terms receives three times the points.

For example, the following search terms:

A "System Engineering" expert in control and communication

Search for matches with the following words and phrases:
• A "System Engineering" expert in control and communication
• communication
• control
• control communication
• expert
• expert control
• expert control communication
• "System Engineering"
• "System Engineering" expert
• "System Engineering" expert control


• What does the colored bar to the right of the table of contents line mean?

This bar shows graphically the rank of the listing compared to the most relevant listing found.


• What do the different search fields mean?

Field	What It Searches
General Search Field	Matches any of the fields in the listings.
Technical Category (Required, Desired, or Optional)	Exact match in one of the eight technical categories selected by the consultant.
City, State, Non-U.S. Country, Metropolitan Area	Exact match in each of these fields
Area Code	First three digits in the telephone number.
Zip Code	Up to 5 digits in the zip code. If you enter less than 5 digits, it matches the number entered. (Ex: 90 matches 90000 to 90999)
Contract Type	"1099 Tax Basis or as an Independent Contract" matches all listings since all consultants will work independently. "W-2 Tax Basis or through a Contract Firm" matches only those consultants indicating that they are willing to work through a contract engineering firm. "Either" matches all listings.
Task for the consultant Project Description What technology will be used? Software or tools to be used	Finds matches in the Slogan, Key Phrases, Technical Categories, Description, and Software Tools Expertice fields
Areas of Expertise (Required or Optional)	Finds matches in the Slogan, Key Phrases, Technical Categories, Description, and Software Tools Expertice fields
Software or Tool Experience Software and Tool Expertise	Finds matches in the Software Tools Expertice field
Degrees, Licenses or Certifications Licenses	Finds matches in the Titles and Certifications fields
Foreign Language Proficiency Languages	Finds matches in the Foreign Language field
Technical Terms	Finds matches in the Slogan, Key Phrases, Technical Categories, Description, and Software Tools Expertice fields
Actively Seeking International Assignments?	Finds matches if the consultant indicated that he or she was actively seeking international assignments.
Available for Contract Engineering?	Matches only those consultants indicating that they are willing to work through a contract engineering firm.
Last Name	Matches the number of characters entered here with the that number of characters in the last name field. (Ex: "Ste" matches Stevens, Stern, Stensen, etc.)
First Name	Matches the number of characters entered here with the that number of characters in the last name field. (Ex: "Bo" matches Bob, Bobbie, etc.) The software also matches common nicknames. (Ex: "Robert" matches Robert, Rob, Bob, and Bobbie)