Sourcing: Productive Web Search Methods

Target group: 

• Researchers and analysts who need to find diverse information and professionals quickly.
• Employees responsible for sourcing personnel, suppliers, contractors, and partners.
• Marketing and sales professionals focused on lead generation.
• Office specialists who regularly work with information and want to increase their search speed and productivity.
• Professionals seeking to improve their productivity with sourcing skills.

Conditions for starting the course:

This course requires a B1 level of English and will help you develop your conversational business English skills.

A personal computer is required for online participation.

The group will open with a minimum of five participants.

Volume and structure of studies:

The course comprises 40 academic hours, including 26 hours of online classroom work with the teacher and 14 hours of self-study.

Description of the learning process:

The course lasts 3 weeks.

Group practical sessions are held online twice a week on Mondays and Wednesdays from 10:00 to 13:15 and are mandatory.

Recordings of sessions are available for additional practice and homework review.

Teaching methods: 

The course structure is practical, with students actively participating and contributing to the learning process by creating, experimenting, and shaping new knowledge and skills. Various adult learning methods are employed based on the objectives. 

Online Classroom Work Includes:

• Practice in advanced search techniques using Boolean Search, Google X-Ray, scraping, and automation, with real-time feedback from the teacher.
• Case study analysis and group discussions.
• Group practical assignments.
• Simulation of professional scenarios and experience sharing.

Self-Study Includes:

• Completing homework for subsequent review in the next practical session.
• Studying additional educational materials and articles.

Learning environment and materials:

All course events are conducted in an electronic learning environment, accessible only to instructors and students. 

Online sessions represent practical sessions with instructor feedback. 

The course organizer prepares all educational materials through publication on the electronic educational platform. 

A personal computer is required for participation. 

Having a LinkedIn account is recommended.

Enrollment closes when the group reaches 20 participants.

Module 1: Introduction to Sourcing and Search Engine Principles

• Definition of sourcing and scraping, and their relevance in various professional fields.
• How search engines organize information: indexing principles and algorithms.
• Basics of organic search and the impact of keywords, context, and personalization on results.
• Overview and differences between search engines: Google, Bing, Yahoo, etc.
• Versatility of sourcing skills: examples of successful applications.
• Practical task on how search engine differences affect results on a specific topic.

Module 2: Using Boolean Search for Effective Information Retrieval

• Introduction to Boolean Search and logical operators (AND, OR, NOT).
• Crafting effective search queries using logical operators.
• Using advanced commands and operators to refine searches.
• Practical task on how to create a LinkedIn search query to find professionals in a specific field using Boolean Search techniques.

Module 3: Advanced Search with Google X-Ray

• Introduction to Google X-Ray and its unique features.
• Using Google X-Ray to find professional data and hidden information.
• Practicing information retrieval techniques through Google X-Ray.
• Practical task on how to search for hidden information using Google X-Ray.

Module 4: Optimizing Searches on Specialized Platforms and Using Browser Extensions

• Finding information on social media platforms.
• Review and use of browser extensions like LinkedIn and GitHub extensions.
• Utilizing query generators and setting up search automation.
• Practical task on how to search for information on social media platforms using browser extensions.

Module 5: Using Scraping Tools for Information Collection

• Basics of web scraping and its applications for information collection from social media platforms.
• Choosing and setting up scraping tools.
• Ethical and legal aspects of scraping.
• Practical task on how to collect data from social media platforms using a scraping tool.

Module 6: Analyzing and Optimizing Search Strategies

• Evaluating the relevance and reliability of collected information.
• Analyzing the effectiveness of different search strategies and tools.
• Developing and implementing optimized search strategies based on data analysis.
• Practical task on comprehensive analysis of search strategy effectiveness and process optimization.

Learning Materials:

• Learning materials provided by the teacher.
• Additional articles and videos on module topics.

1. Evaluation Method: Online testing at the end of each module, with multiple-choice questions.

Evaluation Criteria:

A test is considered passed with a score of 70% or higher. The student demonstrates an understanding of the topics covered in each module, including:

• Principles, methods, and strategies of advanced targeted search.
• Sourcing in professional social networks.
• Search automation and efficiency analysis.

2. Evaluation Method: Practical Group Work: Real-time group work with teacher feedback.

Evaluation Criteria:

• During discussions, the student demonstrates a deep understanding of search engine principles, algorithms, and the application of logical search operators (Boolean Search).  
• The student uses Boolean Search and Google X-Ray methods for finding professional information.  
• The student actively participates in group work, proposes solutions, and justifies their choice of various search techniques for solving complex tasks.

3. Evaluation Method: Comprehensive Case Analysis: Conducted after each module.

Evaluation Criteria:

• A clear targeted search strategy is provided.  
• The student finds optimal search channels, explains the choice of keywords and search operators, and formulates precise queries for sourcing related to their professional task.  
• The advanced search for targeted information is conducted online and in social networks using Boolean Search and Google X-Ray methods.  
• The student collects data from social media platforms using scraping tools.  
• The student combines different search, scraping, and automation tools to enhance search efficiency.  
• The student automates online searches using various digital tools, including Chrome browser extensions and sourcing query generators.  
• The student analyzes results and provides insights on improving their productivity.

 4. Evaluation Method: Written Self-Analysis: Conducted upon course completion.

Evaluation Criteria:

In a structured self-analysis, the student:

• Analyzes the relevance of the information found.
• Evaluates the effectiveness of their search strategies and optimizes them for achieving faster and more accurate results.

Graduation conditions:

Evaluation of learning outcomes is carried out module by module based on practical assignments and tests, as well as on the final self-analysis. 

Successful course completion requires participation in at least 70% of classes, completion of 70% of practical assignments and tests, and submission of the final self-analysis.

Issued Documents:

• A certificate is awarded to students who have attended at least 70% of lessons, completed 70% of practical assignments and tests, and submitted the final self-analysis.
• A statement of attendance is issued to students who participated in the learning process but did not meet the learning outcomes. The statement depends on the number of classes attended and will not be issued if the student has attended fewer than half of the sessions.

Our teachers are recognized practicing professionals with relevant education, extensive experience in their fields, and a background in adult education. Thanks to these qualifications, they provide high-quality education that aligns with students' expectations and ensures the successful attainment of learning outcomes.

Julia Jolkin:

Master’s Degree in Communication (Tallinn University, 2004).  

One of the first certified sourcing professionals in Estonia (Sourcing Black Belt by SocialTalent, 2016).  

IT recruitment expert and founder of the IT Talent Academy.  

Lecturer with experience in adult education since 2020.