# Writing searches that work

> Tips for describing the people you want, so that Tandem's search returns stronger matches.

Source: https://tandem.joveo.com/support/search/best-practices

A good search reads like a short note to a recruiter: who the person is, where they work, and what they must be able to do.

## Say what matters

- **Start with the title and location.** "Software engineer in Bangalore" is a good base.
- **Add the few skills that are essential.** Two or three must-haves work better than a long list.
- **Say the level.** "Senior", "5+ years" or "has led a team" narrows the results.
- **Leave out the nice-to-haves.** They spread the matches thin.

## Check before you go further

- Read the `Search criteria` Tandem made. If one is wrong, rewrite the search.
- Use the filters (title, company, skill) to narrow the results you already have.
- Click `Find more` when the first results look right but you want more of them. Each new person found uses 3 credits per candidate.

## For Tandem's outreach

Tandem's outreach runs the same kind of search on a schedule. In its settings, click `Search candidates` to preview the results of `Describe the people you want` before you start. Set `Min. match score` so only strong matches are emailed.

Related: [Set up outreach for a role](https://tandem.joveo.com/support/outreach/set-up-outreach.md)