Boolean Search: The Recruiter’s Secret Weapon
If you’re doing any recruiting, you’ve probably heard about “Boolean search.” It sounds complicated, but it’s actually just a way to search really specifically. And once you learn it, it’ll change how you find candidates forever.
What it is: Boolean search uses words like AND, OR, and NOT to combine search terms. Instead of searching for “software engineer” and getting millions of results, you can search for “software engineer” AND “Python” AND “startup” NOT “intern” and get exactly what you need.
“Boolean search is the difference between finding a needle in a haystack and finding a needle in a pile of needles. It’s the most powerful tool in a recruiter’s arsenal.” - Shally Steckerl, sourcing expert
Why Boolean Search Matters
The problem: Most recruiters search for “marketing manager” and get 50,000 results. Most of them aren’t relevant. You waste hours scrolling through profiles.
The solution: Boolean search lets you find exactly what you need. Instead of 50,000 results, you get 50. And those 50 are actually relevant.
Real example: You need a marketing manager who:
- Has experience with Facebook ads
- Has worked at a startup
- Lives in San Francisco
- Has at least 3 years of experience
A regular search: “marketing manager” = 50,000 results
A Boolean search: “marketing manager” AND “Facebook ads” AND “startup” AND “San Francisco” = 25 results, and they’re all actually relevant.
The Basics: AND, OR, NOT
Boolean search uses three main operators:
AND (Narrow Your Search)
What it does: Results must include ALL the terms.
Example: marketing AND manager AND Facebook
- Finds profiles that have ALL three words: marketing, manager, and Facebook
- This narrows your search
Real use case: You need someone who’s both a developer AND knows React. Search: developer AND React
OR (Broaden Your Search)
What it does: Results can include ANY of the terms.
Example: marketing OR manager OR Facebook
- Finds profiles that have ANY of these words
- This broadens your search
Real use case: You’re open to someone with experience in either Python OR JavaScript. Search: Python OR JavaScript
NOT (Exclude Terms)
What it does: Results must NOT include the term.
Example: developer NOT intern
- Finds developers but excludes anyone with “intern” in their profile
- This filters out what you don’t want
Real use case: You want senior engineers, not junior. Search: engineer NOT junior NOT intern
Building Your First Boolean Search
Let’s build a real search step by step.
What you need: A software engineer with Python experience who’s worked at a startup.
Step 1: Start with the job title
software engineerStep 2: Add the skill (AND)
software engineer AND PythonStep 3: Add the company type (AND)
software engineer AND Python AND startupStep 4: Exclude what you don’t want (NOT)
software engineer AND Python AND startup NOT internResult: You get profiles that are software engineers, know Python, have worked at startups, and aren’t interns. That’s exactly what you need.
Advanced Boolean Techniques
Once you master the basics, you can get really specific.
Quotation Marks (Exact Phrases)
What it does: Searches for the exact phrase.
Example: "software engineer" finds the exact phrase “software engineer” together, not just “software” and “engineer” separately.
Real use case: You want someone with “machine learning” experience. Search: "machine learning" (with quotes)
Parentheses (Grouping)
What it does: Groups terms together for complex searches.
Example: (Python OR JavaScript) AND (startup OR "early stage")
- Finds people who know Python OR JavaScript
- AND have worked at a startup OR early stage company
Real use case: You’re open to multiple skills and company types. This lets you search for combinations efficiently.
Wildcards (Partial Matches)
What it does: The * symbol matches any characters.
Example: develop* finds: developer, development, developing, etc.
Real use case: You want to find variations of a word. Search: market* finds: marketing, marketer, market research, etc.
Real-World Boolean Search Examples
Here are actual searches you can use:
Finding a Marketing Manager
"marketing manager" AND ("Facebook ads" OR "Google Ads") AND (startup OR "early stage") NOT internWhat this finds: Marketing managers who know Facebook or Google ads, have worked at startups, and aren’t interns.
Finding a Senior Developer
(engineer OR developer) AND (Python OR JavaScript) AND (senior OR "5 years" OR "5+ years") NOT intern NOT juniorWhat this finds: Senior engineers or developers who know Python or JavaScript, have 5+ years of experience, and aren’t interns or juniors.
Finding Remote Candidates
"software engineer" AND (remote OR "work from home" OR distributed) AND PythonWhat this finds: Software engineers who work remotely and know Python.
Where to Use Boolean Search
Boolean search works on:
- LinkedIn: The main place recruiters use Boolean search
- Google: You can use Boolean operators in Google searches
- GitHub: For finding developers
- Job boards: Many support Boolean search
- ATS systems: Most have Boolean search capabilities
LinkedIn is the most important - that’s where most recruiters spend their time.
Common Boolean Search Mistakes
Mistake 1: Too Many ANDs
What happens: You add too many AND conditions and get zero results.
Example: engineer AND Python AND JavaScript AND React AND startup AND San Francisco AND remote
Fix: Start broad, then narrow. Start with: engineer AND Python. If you get too many results, add one more condition.
Mistake 2: Forgetting Quotation Marks
What happens: You search for software engineer and get results with “software” and “engineer” anywhere, not together.
Fix: Use quotes for exact phrases: "software engineer"
Mistake 3: Using OR When You Mean AND
What happens: You search for Python OR JavaScript when you need someone who knows both.
Fix: Use AND when you need both: Python AND JavaScript
Mistake 4: Not Testing Your Search
What happens: You build a complex search, get zero results, and don’t know why.
Fix: Test as you build. Start simple, add conditions one at a time, and check results after each addition.
Pro Tips for Boolean Search
- Start broad, then narrow: Begin with a simple search, then add conditions until you get the right number of results (50-200 is usually good).
- Save your searches: If a search works well, save it. You’ll use it again.
- Test different variations: Try different combinations. Sometimes
"software engineer"works better thansoftware engineer. - Use LinkedIn’s filters: Combine Boolean search with LinkedIn’s filters (location, company, etc.) for even better results.
- Learn from others: Ask experienced recruiters for their Boolean strings. Learn what works.
The Bottom Line
Boolean search is the difference between finding the right candidates and wasting hours scrolling through irrelevant profiles.
Start simple: Learn AND, OR, and NOT first.
Practice: Build searches for real roles you’re hiring for.
Iterate: Start broad, then narrow until you get the right results.
Save what works: Keep a list of Boolean strings that work well for common roles.
“Master Boolean search, and you’ll find candidates that other recruiters miss. It’s not complicated - it’s just knowing how to ask the right questions.” - Anonymous Senior Recruiter
Next Steps
- Practice: Try building a Boolean search for a role you’re currently hiring for.
- Learn LinkedIn’s advanced search: LinkedIn has specific Boolean syntax - learn it.
- Build a library: Save Boolean strings that work well for common roles.
- Share with your team: If you find a great search, share it with other recruiters.
Resources
- LinkedIn Boolean Search Guide: Official LinkedIn guide to Boolean search
- Boolean Search Cheat Sheet: Quick reference for common operators
- Sourcing Tools: Chrome extensions that help with Boolean search
- Recruiting Communities: Places to learn and share Boolean strings
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Jeff Hammitt
Recruiting Expert
Jeff Hammitt is a recruiting expert with years of experience in talent acquisition and building high-performing teams.