Searching Skills: The Internal Auditor's Secret Weapon

For individuals seeking to enhance their capabilities, super search skills represent one of the few nearly zero-cost advantages available. In the field of internal auditing, it is essential to be an informed outsider by applying interdisciplinary knowledge, as I discussed in my previous post. For instance, while you may not be a Human Resources specialist, it is important to understand key concepts such as payroll calculation, recruitment, and succession planning. Additionally, being aware of the challenges associated with each topic is crucial. For example, in payroll management, issues such as fluctuations in commission rates, unreliable clock-in and clock-out systems, and separate employment contracts for employees in different jurisdictions can lead to significant payroll complications.


Similarly, while you may not be a supply chain specialist, possessing a foundational understanding of the procurement process, demand planning and forecasting, and supplier relationship management will enable you to communicate effectively with the auditee and recognize potential issues. I plan to explore each topic related to business operations in more detail in future posts.

Why Do We Search? 

The purposes are not the fundamental reasons; the fundamental reason is what you want to achieve. 99.99% of others have already done it, and they have done it better than you. What you need to do is find it, learn it, utilize it, avoid it, and surpass it. This is the capability that the internet and the information age grant us, significantly breaking down information disparities. 


Categories and Platforms for Search Needs 

There is a wealth of information available to help you master effective search techniques across various platforms. From online tutorials and webinars to guides and articles, these resources provide valuable insights into optimizing your search strategies. For instance, platforms like Google, academic databases, and even social media have unique search functionalities that, when understood, can significantly enhance your ability to find relevant information quickly. By exploring these resources, you can develop the skills necessary to navigate the vast sea of data and improve your efficiency in research and auditing tasks.

Search Level

Platform

Example

Information

Google

Baidu

WeChat Search

Searching for the formula of a specific product

Searching for the latest news about a brand

Searching for current trending events

Knowledge Skills

Coursera

YouTube

Zhihu

Learning online courses on video editing

Finding tutorials on how to use ChatGPT

Searching for articles on structured thinking

Resource Files

Pexels

Pixabay

Canva

Downloading PowerPoint templates for year-end summaries

Finding high-quality images and videos

Designing posters or presentations

Tools and Software

Canva

Google Docs

GitHub

Online design tool for creating various designs

Online document editing

Finding tools or resources related to software development

Finding Research Reports

Google Scholar


ResearchGate

JSTOR

SSRN

199IT.com

Academia.edu

Searching for "Research Report on Mother and Baby Industry"

Looking for specific academic articles or reports

Finding research reports in the humanities and social sciences

Working papers and research reports in social sciences

Professional market research reports

Research reports and papers shared by scholars



A summary table of Google Search Operators

Google Search Operators are special commands and symbols that enhance your search capabilities on Google. By using these operators, you can refine your search results to find more specific information. Mastering these operators can significantly improve your search efficiency and accuracy, making it easier to locate the information you need.

Search Operator

Description

Example

"search term"

Exact match search

"best coffee shops"

OR

Search for either term

coffee OR tea

AND

Search for both terms

coffee AND espresso

-

Exclude a term

coffee -decaf

*

Wildcard that matches any word or phrase

best * for studying

( )

Group terms or operators

(coffee OR tea) AND healthy

$

Search for prices

laptop $500

define:

Displays the meaning of a word

define:serendipity

cache:

Returns the most recent cached version of a webpage

cache:example.com

filetype:

Shows results of a specific file type

filetype:pdf coffee recipes

site:

Limit results to a specific website

site:kinsta.com

related:

Find sites related to another site

related:kinsta.com

intitle:

Find pages with a specific word in the title

intitle:coffee

allintitle:

Find pages containing all specified words in the title

allintitle:coffee health benefits

inurl:

Find pages with a specific word in the URL

inurl:blog coffee

allinurl:

Find pages containing all specified words in the URL

allinurl:kinsta blog

intext:

Find pages containing a specific word in the content

intext:coffee recipes

allintext:

Find pages containing all specified words in the content

allintext:best coffee shops in New York

AROUND(X)

Finds pages with two words within X words of each othe

coffee AROUND(3) tea

weather:

Find weather for a specific location

weather:New York

stocks:

See stock information

stocks:GOOGL

map:

View map results for a location search

map:coffee shops in Seattle

movie:

Find information about a specific movie

movie:Inception

daterange:

Search results within a range of dates

daterange:2458881-2459002

postauthor:

Find content created by specific authors

postauthor:John Doe

The Impact of AI on Search Methods 

With the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence technology, tools like ChatGPT are transforming traditional search methods. These AI applications can provide direct answers and assist users in learning and creativity. For instance, ChatGPT or Deepseek can immediately respond to inquiries such as, "Who is Taylor Swift's latest boyfriend?" Users can also engage in follow-up questions based on initial responses. Additionally, the tool allows for comparative analysis, such as comparing the personality traits of Persian cats and Russian Blues. Furthermore, it possesses reasoning capabilities that enable users to explore potential consequences of their questions.

Conclusion

In today's information-rich era, mastering search techniques and leveraging AI tools are essential for personal development. Effective search strategies can lead to greater success in learning and the workplace. To remain competitive and effective, internal auditors must continuously refine their search skills and utilize available technological resources to navigate complex information landscapes.

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