Trying Semantic Search for the first time, or seeing something you didn’t expect? These answers cover the questions that come up most often, so you can get back to your shortlist quickly.
Getting started
What is Semantic Search?
Semantic Search lets you describe the specialist you need in plain language. It reads the context of your description and surfaces the profiles that appear most relevant, each with a short explanation. It is an addition to the existing search: filters are still there, and you review the profiles and make the final decision.
How do I access it?
Log in to Talus Freelance and click Search Freelancer in the main navigation. Semantic Search is the search bar at the top of the page.
Do I need to set anything up first?
No. It is available as soon as you log in.
Using the feature
What should I type into the search bar?
Describe one role the way you would brief a colleague: the role, therapy area, deliverable type, seniority and any context that matters. For example: “Medical writer with oncology experience and detail aid experience.”
What do Excellent, Strong and Potential mean?
Excellent: the strongest alignment with your description. Strong: good alignment with some gaps. Potential: partial alignment, worth a look if you need to widen your options. The bands are a guide to where to start, not a verdict.
How do I see why a freelancer was matched?
Each profile tile shows a short match summary. Click “Full Analysis” for a fuller explanation of how that freelancer’s experience relates to your description. Review the reasoning, not just the ranking, and open the full profile before you decide.
How do I narrow my results without starting over?
Click Refine Results to open the filter panel alongside your results. Filters narrow what Semantic Search has returned, so your original description stays in place.
Can I search for more than one role at once?
No. Semantic Search works on one brief at a time. If you need a writer and an editor, run a separate search for each role.
Common issues
I typed a job title and the results look like a normal filtered list. Why?
A short input such as “medical writer” runs a standard keyword filter rather than a semantic search. Add the therapy area, deliverable and seniority to your description and search again.
Why don’t my results match what I need?
Your description is probably too broad, or the requirement that matters most is buried. Add detail and lead with the requirement you won’t compromise on. If the results are off target from the start, rework the description and run a new search.
Why do I keep seeing the same profiles?
Very generic descriptions tend to produce generic or repetitive results. Add detail, change the wording or the order of your requirements, or use Refine Results to adjust the list.
Best practices
What makes a good search?
| Weaker | Stronger |
| Medical writer | Medical writer with oncology experience and detail aid experience |
| Someone for publications | Senior publications writer with oncology manuscript and advisory board experience |
| Writer and editor for a congress project | Two searches: one for the writer, one for the editor |
When should I refine my results, and when should I start a new search?
Refine when the results are broadly right but the list is too long. Start a new search when the results are off target from the beginning. That usually means the description needs reworking, not more filters.
When are filters the better option?
For straightforward needs where a job title says it all, such as a proofreader with no therapy area or experience requirements. Use Semantic Search when several requirements need to fit together.
Still have questions?
If something isn’t covered here, or you see results that don’t match what you expected, contact the Talus Freelance team. Your feedback helps shape how the feature develops.