> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.letsconnekt.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Keyword Search vs. AI Matching: Finding Records in Connekt

> Understand when to use Connekt's top search bar for keyword lookups and when to use AI-powered matching to surface the best-fit candidates or jobs.

Connekt gives you two distinct ways to find what you're looking for, and they're designed for different situations. The top search bar is your go-to for quick lookups when you already know what you want. AI matching is the right tool when you want Connekt to do the heavy lifting and surface the best candidates for a role — or the best roles for a candidate — based on meaning rather than exact keywords.

## The top search bar (keyword search)

The search bar at the top of any page runs a fast, keyword-based search across your entire workspace — covering Candidates, Jobs, Placements, and Companies in one go.

**What it supports:**

* **Typo-tolerance** — minor spelling mistakes won't cause you to miss results.
* **Field filtering** — narrow results to a specific entity type or field.
* **Search History** — every query you run is automatically tracked. Open the **Search History** dropdown from the search bar to re-run a recent or frequently used search without typing it again.

<Tip>
  Search History is especially useful for recurring lookups you come back to throughout the day — open the dropdown from the search bar to re-run a recent search without typing it again.
</Tip>

## AI-powered matching

For finding the *right* fit rather than a specific record, use the **Matching Candidates** or **Matching Open Jobs** cards available on candidate and job profiles respectively.

**How it works:**

* Uses **semantic matching** — it understands meaning and intent, not just exact text.
* Applies **AI re-ranking** to surface the most relevant results at the top.
* Handles equivalent phrasing automatically — for example, "React.js" and "ReactJS" are treated as the same skill.

**Where to find it:**

* On a **Job profile**: look for the **Matching Candidates** card to see ranked candidate suggestions for that role.
* On a **Candidate profile**: look for the **Matching Open Jobs** card to see which open roles are the best fit for that person.

<Info>
  For a full walkthrough of the AI matching workflow, see the "Matching candidates to jobs" guide.
</Info>

## Choosing the right tool

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Use the search bar when…" icon="magnifying-glass">
    You know roughly what you're looking for — a candidate's name, a company, a job title, or a placement reference. You want a fast, direct result.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Use AI matching when…" icon="wand-magic-sparkles">
    You want Connekt to surface the best-fit candidates for a role, or the best roles for a candidate, based on skills and experience rather than exact keyword matches.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>