Abstract: The disclosed embodiments provide a system for processing data. During operation, the system determines activity features for candidates that match parameters of a search, wherein the activity features include a first amount of time since a most recent visit by a candidate to an online platform used to conduct interaction between the candidate and moderators of opportunities. Next, the system applies a machine learning model to the activity features and candidate features for the candidates to produce a first set of scores between the candidates and the parameters. The system then generates a ranking of the candidates according to the first set of scores. Finally, the system outputs at least a portion of the ranking as search results of the search.