Search Your Candidate Pipeline with AI
Surface the strongest candidates from high application volume by searching resumes, question responses, and interview notes in Ashby -- ranked by alignment to your criteria.
Overview
When application volume is high, the strongest candidates do not always surface through standard ATS filtering -- and previously archived pipelines often hide profiles worth revisiting. This MCP template searches your Ashby candidate database using AI, going beyond resume keywords to evaluate question responses, interview notes, and other criteria you define, then returns a ranked list of the most aligned candidates.
How it works
Connect your Ashby account and give the AI the role criteria you are hiring for -- must-haves first, then secondary attributes. The template evaluates candidate resumes against your primary criteria first, then applies secondary filters only to candidates who pass that initial screen. This layered approach keeps the search fast even at high volume. The output is a list of candidates ranked by alignment, with notes on why each one surfaces -- drawing on resumes, application question responses, and interview notes rather than keyword matching alone.
Who this is for
Built for recruiters dealing with high application volume who want to surface the strongest matches quickly, or who need to revisit archived pipelines for a hard-to-fill profile that may already exist in their candidate database.
Suggested prompt
Search my Ashby pipeline for candidates for [role]. Must-have criteria: [criteria]. Secondary criteria: [criteria].
Frequently asked questions
How is this different from filtering in my ATS directly?
Standard ATS search filters on resume keywords and profile fields. This template goes deeper -- evaluating candidate question responses, interview notes, and other unstructured data that native filtering misses. It also lets you define weighted criteria, so the most important requirements are evaluated first before secondary filters are applied.
Can it search archived candidates?
Yes. The template can search across your full Ashby candidate database, including archived pipelines. This is especially useful when sourcing for a niche or hard-to-fill profile that may already exist somewhere in your candidate history.
How should I structure my search criteria?
Start with your must-have criteria -- the non-negotiables for the role. Then list secondary criteria in order of importance. The template evaluates candidates against the primary criteria first, then applies secondary filters only to those who clear that bar. This keeps the search focused and fast even at high application volume.
What if I have a large number of candidates to search through?
For best results at high volume, give the AI clear and specific criteria at the top of your search -- the more discriminating the first filter, the faster and more accurate the results. The template is designed to narrow the field progressively rather than evaluating all criteria against every candidate at once.