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Use tags to find and organize candidates in Recruiting

Describes how to add tags to a candidate's record.

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This article is for administrators.

 

 A tag is a keyword that Recruiting users can add to a candidate's profile. Tags help you organize candidates based on a particular skill, degree, attribute, etc. They help to find candidates in the system more quickly for future job openings that require that particular tag.   

Users can add one or multiple tags to a candidate. Tags display next to the candidate's name on their profile. 

Adding tags helps you build a searchable database of candidate information within Recruiting over time. 

Sample tag categories include: 

  • Skills: C++, HTML5  
  • Location: Toronto, Cincinnati, Los Angeles   
  • Certificates or Degrees: CISSP, PMP, MBA, PHD     
  • Clearance Levels: SCI, SSBI   
  • Abilities:  Bilingual, problem-solving, communication  

Add a tag to a candidate 

  1. Go to People > Hiring > Applicant Tracking to open the Recruiting platform.  
  2. Open the candidate's record.  
  3. At the top of the candidate’s profile, next to the candidate’s name, select Add a Tag.  The Add a Tag window opens. 
     
     
  4. Enter a Tag name, and then press Enter.  As you type, suggested tags appear based on tags previously added to your ATS.  
    Notes: If you see the tag you need, select it. This helps prevent duplicate tags in your database.
    You can select a suggested tag or create a new one if it has not been used previously in your ATS. 
     
     
  5. Repeat to add more tags as needed. 
  6. When you finish adding tags, select the X to close the Add a Tag window. Tags display at the top of the candidate’s profile. 
      

After you add tags, the system saves them on the candidate's profile and displays them for quick reference.  The tag and candidate it was applied to also become searchable in your ATS database.   

Search for candidates using tags 

  1. Select the Search field , and then select Candidate Search. 
     
  2. Select Advanced Search to open the Search Options toolbar.  
  3. In the Tags field, enter or select the tags you want to use to search and filter candidates. 
  4. Enter any additional search criteria, and then select the Search icon. 
    Note: Candidates with the selected tags and search filters display in the search results. 

After the search is complete, the system shows candidates who match the tags and filters you selected. If you have the right access, you can select a candidate’s name to open and review their profile. 

Notes 

  • Use consistent tags, such as skills, locations, or certifications, to improve search results.  
  • Tag suggestions are based on tags that were added by users in your ATS.  
  • Add tags early to build a useful candidate database over time.  
  • If a candidate has more than three tags, select More Tags to view or add additional tags. 
      

Troubleshooting 

  • Tags do not appear on the candidate profile: Make sure you pressed Enter on your keyboard after typing each tag. Candidate profiles show up to 3 tags. If the candidate is assigned more than 3 tags, select More Tags to see the additional tags.  
  • Advanced Search shows multiple variations of the same Tag: Use consistent naming for Tags across your team.  
    • If a tag has already been created in your ATS, when you add a tag to a candidate's record, select the available tag. Do not create a new one.  
    • If a new tag is created that is slightly different, it creates a new tag in your ATS database.   

 

Updated: August 21st, 2026 6566 views


*This content is for educational purposes only, is not intended to provide specific legal advice, and should not be used as a substitute for the legal advice of a qualified attorney or other professional. The information may not reflect the most current legal developments, may be changed without notice and is not guaranteed to be complete, correct, or up-to-date.

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