What is a Boolean Search?

What’s Boolean Searching in Recruiting?

A Boolean search uses the “Boolean Operators” (And, Or, and Not) to customize a search for information. Boolean operators clarify the relationship between your search terms, making it possible to refine your results. By narrowing your results or linking two terms together, you can sift through a high volume of information in a database to identify data that aligns with your search.

In the case of recruitment, Boolean search can sift through a high volume of applications in ATS software and in any spreadsheet in which you need data organization. In this article, we’ll explain what Boolean search is, how it works, and how you can use it to enhance your recruitment efforts. Whether you’re using job boards, LinkedIn, or Google, mastering Boolean search will help you find the best talent more quickly and effectively.

Key Boolean Operators and How to Use Them

To get the most out of Boolean search, it’s essential to understand the basic operators and how they work. Here are the main Boolean operators:

1. AND

The AND operator is used to ensure that all the words or phrases in your search are present in the results. It narrows your search by requiring all terms linked by “AND” to appear.

• Example:
  Java AND Python AND "software engineer"
  This search will return profiles that contain all these terms: Java, Python, and software engineer.

2. OR

The OR operator broadens your search by including either of the terms it separates. Sometimes it’s good to be flexible and see other candidate profiles that contain some but not all of your requirements. You can be surprised at some hidden gems found via this search. “OR” is also helpful when you’re searching for synonyms or alternate terms.

• Example:
  "Python Developer" OR "Software Engineer"
  This search will return profiles that contain either “Python Developer” or “Software Engineer”.

3. NOT

The NOT operator excludes specific terms from your search, helping you eliminate undesirable results. It’s particularly useful for excluding candidates with skills or qualifications that don’t fit the role.

• Example:
  "Python Developer" NOT "Junior"
  This search will return results for Python Developers but exclude any candidates who are labeled as “Junior”.

4. Quotation Marks (“”)

Quotation marks are used to search for exact phrases. This is particularly useful when searching for job titles or specific phrases.

• Example:
  "Leasing Director"
  This search will return results where the exact phrase “Leasing Director” appears.

5. Parentheses ()

Parentheses are used to group terms and operators together, allowing you to create more complex searches. Think about PEMDAS, or the order of operations, and that’s basically how it works. It’s especially helpful when you want to combine AND, OR, and NOT operators within a specific subset of your search.

• Example:
  (Java OR Python) AND ("Software Engineer" OR "Developer")
  This search will return profiles that contain either Java or Python and either Software Engineer or Developer.

6. Wildcard (*)

A wildcard, represented by an asterisk (*), is used to search for variations of a word. It helps you broaden your search to include multiple forms of a word. This helps you not miss out on any potential good fits due to different variations of terms used in resumes or online profiles.

• Example:
  "develop*"
  This will return results for “developer,” “development,” “developing,” etc.

How to Use Boolean Search in Recruitment

Now that you understand the basic operators, let’s look at how you can apply them in recruitment. Boolean search can be used on multiple platforms, including LinkedIn, job boards (like Indeed and Glassdoor), ATS software, and even search engines like Google. Once you master it, you can have a much easier time sifting through profiles!

1. Searching on LinkedIn

LinkedIn is one of the most popular platform for recruiters, and mastering Boolean search on this platform can make a huge difference in your candidate sourcing efforts. To use Boolean search on LinkedIn, simply enter these kinds of queries into the search bar in the upper left hand corner of the social media platform. It will populate people and posts that contain your desired keywords.

• Job Title Search:
  • ("Software Engineer" OR "Full Stack Developer") AND Java AND Python
  • This search will return candidates with job titles like Software Engineer or Full Stack Developer who have experience in Java and Python.
• Location Search:
  • "Leasing Director" AND "Chicago" NOT "Junior"
  • This will return profiles of Leasing Directors based in Chicago, while leaving out any junior-level candidates.
• Skill-based Search:
  • ("Data Scientist" OR "Machine Learning Engineer") AND Python AND CSS
  • This search will find candidates with the job title Data Scientist or Machine Learning Engineer who have expertise in Python and CSS.

2. Searching on Job Boards (Indeed, Glassdoor, etc.)

Job boards allow you to search for candidates based on resumes, job titles, or skills. Boolean search can help you narrow down to only the most relevant resumes.

• Example Search:
  • ("Digital Marketing" AND SEO AND "Content Strategy") NOT "Intern"
  • This search will return resumes with Digital Marketing experience, expertise in SEO and Content Strategy, while leaving out anyone labeled as Interns.

3. Using Google for Candidate Sourcing

You can also use Boolean search to source candidates on Google. This method can be particularly helpful if you’re looking for resumes or professional profiles on personal websites, blogs, or forums. Just plug any of these types of searches into the search bar and see what you get!

• Example Google Search:
  • intitle:"resume" AND "Java Developer" AND "Spring Framework" AND "New York"
  • This search will show resumes that contain the phrase “Java Developer” with skills in the “Spring Framework” located in New York.
• Another Example:
  • site:linkedin.com "Data Scientist" AND Python AND "Artificial Intelligence"
  • This search will return LinkedIn profiles that mention Data Scientist, Python, and Artificial Intelligence.

4. Advanced Boolean Searches

You can combine multiple operators to create highly refined search strings for very specific results. The sky is the limit in how precise you want your results to be. Just remember that the narrower your search, the fewer candidate profiles there is likely to be.

• Example:
  • (developer OR "software engineer") AND (Java OR Python) AND (AWS OR Azure) AND ("New York" OR "California") NOT (junior OR "intern")
  • This search will look for software engineers or developers with expertise in Java or Python, working with AWS or Azure, located in New York or California, and exclude junior-level or intern candidates.

Tips for Optimizing Boolean Search

• Test and Tweak: Experiment with different combinations of operators to refine your search. Sometimes small changes (like swapping “AND” for “OR”) can produce dramatically different results.
• Be Specific, But Not Too Narrow: If your search is too specific, you may miss out on great candidates. Be a little flexible so you don’t miss out on any rising star due to being too strict. Strike a balance between narrowing your search and keeping it broad enough to find a variety of relevant candidates.
• Use Multiple Platforms: Don’t rely on just one tool or database. Sometimes people don’t update their linkedin but their activity is more visible in news articles and other job boards. Boolean search works on LinkedIn, Google, job boards, and resume databases, so use all of them to maximize your sourcing reach.
• Stay Updated on Boolean Syntax: Different platforms may have their own specific rules or limitations on Boolean search syntax, so keep up with updates to ensure you’re using the correct format for each tool.

Why Boolean Search is a Game-Changer for Recruiters

1. Time-Saving: Boolean search helps you cut through the noise and find the most relevant candidates quickly, reducing the time spent scrolling through irrelevant profiles or resumes. It’s a must-have skill for anyone interested in identifying qualified candidates.
2. Improved Candidate Quality: By focusing on candidates with specific qualifications and skills, Boolean search increases the likelihood of finding high-quality candidates who meet your exact needs.
3. Cost-Effective: Instead of relying on expensive recruitment agencies or job postings on every platform, Boolean search helps you leverage freely available tools and resources to find the talent you need.

Unlock the Power of Boolean Search

Boolean search is one of the most valuable skills an employer or recruiter can have in today’s competitive hiring landscape. It allows you to source candidates with precision, saving time, improving results, and making your recruiting process more efficient. Whether you’re sourcing on LinkedIn, job boards, or Google, mastering Boolean search gives you the tools to dig deeper, uncover hidden talent, and make smarter hiring decisions.

With just a little practice, you’ll be able to create powerful search strings that deliver the best candidates for your roles. So, start experimenting with Boolean search today, and watch how it transforms your recruiting strategy.