How to Find and Add Comparators
Holly automatically identifies similar classifications, which you can then easily customize with your own selections to create targeted comparison sets.
Step-by-step process:
Search for comparators using the "Explore additional comparisons" search box
Search by job title, keywords, duties, skills, jurisdiction, or classification codes
For more information on how to use search effectively in Holly, see our article on "Mastering Enhanced Search"
Review the results that appear below the search and select comparators
Holly pre-suggests similar results when you click into the search box
Preview which comparators are already included (pre-checked in the results)
Select multiple comparators at once to add them in bulk
Click "Add to compare" to include them in your analysis
After a short loading period, your selected comparators will now appear in your main comparison table
Added comparators will have an indication that they were manually added after the class title
Removing Comparators
Remove comparators from your current comparison set when they're not relevant to your analysis. Note: This only removes them from this specific comparison - the classification remains available in Holly's database and can be added to other analyses anytime.
How to remove a comparator:
Click the dropdown arrow (caret) to the left of the title of the comparator class spec you want to remove
Click the "Remove comparison" button on the top right of the panel that drops down
Click "Yes, remove" to confirm, and the comparator will be removed from your current comparison list
When to remove a comparator:
The classification was added for the purposes of testing or experimenting with the tool
The Match % was much lower than expected and the classification is not an appropriate match for this analysis
It doesn't contribute to the discussion or decision you're making
It creates confusion or distraction from your main analysis points
Remember: You can always add it back later using the "Add to compare" feature if your analysis needs change.
Toggling Comparators (Market Tab Only)
For external comparisons, you can toggle comparators on or off to control their involvement in your analysis.
What toggling does:
Toggle ON - Comparator is included in salary calculations and as benchmark context when generating your specification
Toggle OFF - Comparator stays visible for reference but is excluded from salary calculations and is not used as benchmark context when generating your specification
When to toggle OFF a comparator:
The jurisdiction has unusual salary structures that skew market data
The classification has unique requirements that make it less comparable
You want to see the comparison for context but not include it in formal analysis
Stakeholders have questioned the relevance of a particular match
Example: You're analyzing Police Sergeant positions. One comparison jurisdiction pays significantly higher due to a unique local cost-of-living adjustment. Toggle it OFF to exclude it from your market statistics, but keep it visible to show stakeholders you considered it.
Remove vs. Toggle: What's the Difference?
Now that you understand both options, here's when to use each:
Action | What happens | When to use it |
Remove | Completely removes from your list | This classification isn't relevant to your analysis at all |
Toggle OFF (Market tab only) | Keeps it visible but excludes from statistics | You want to see it for reference, but it shouldn't influence your market analysis |
Key insight: Toggle gives you transparency (stakeholders can see you considered it) while protecting your data quality (it doesn't skew your numbers).
Jurisdiction Group Filtering
The Market tab includes jurisdiction group filtering (available through custom set-up).
How group filtering works:
Custom group names - Designate jurisdictions by groupings depending on what works best for your organization
Hierarchical group sorting - Groups sort by a pre-set hierarchy, with matches able to be sorted using the filters within that hierarchy. For example, if “Main counties” is your primary group, matches within “Main counties” will always appear at the top of your list, followed by matches from other categories
Strategic use:
Focus first: Start with your primary peer group (most similar jurisdictions)
Expand strategically: Access more jurisdictions for specialized roles or broader context
Build comprehensive analysis: Get trusted comparisons with the flexibility to cast a wider net
Export Your Work
The export functionality helps you share comparison data beyond the platform.
Available export features:
Multiple formats - Export comparison tables and analysis data in CSV / Excel
Row status tracking - Downloads indicate whether rows are toggled on/off, which items were manually added, and include your notes
The export captures your complete comparison state, making it easy to share findings with stakeholders or integrate with other reporting tools.