How to Use Boolean Search to Optimise Your Job Search

Boolean search is a format of search used by search engines to combine words and operators to achieve a more specific result. By narrowing searches down by using operators such as AND, OR and NOT with select keywords, users can define a more relevant output. You get to your desired result faster and more accurately.

The Operators

AND- Returns results with all keywords in the string.

OR- Returns results with either keyword in the string

NOT- Returns results without the keyword directly after the operator

The above operators will need to be written in capital letters to work.

Quotes “”- Allows you to use a phrase instead of a keyword.

Parenthesis ()- Create a more complex search by using multiple conditions together.

These are the basic operators, but there are many more that can be used.

Creating a Search

By combining the above operators with keywords and phrases we can create a search that provides a more relevant result. Here are some examples of how to combine them:

Dog AND Cat- will return results with the keywords ‘dog’ and ‘cat’ in them.

Dog OR Cat- will return results with the keywords ‘dog’ or ‘cat’ in them.

Dog NOT Cat- will return results with the keyword ‘dog’ but no ‘cat’ in them.

“Brown Cat”- will return results with the exact phrase ‘brown cat’ in them.

Dog AND (Cat OR tortoise)- will return results with the keyword ‘Dog’ and either ‘Cat’ or ‘tortoise’ in them.

Dog NOT (“Brown” AND “Yellow”)- will return results with the word ‘Dog but not ‘brown’ and ‘yellow’

How to use this when searching for a job

Google, other search engines and many bigger job boards operate their search with Boolean. So, next time you are looking for a specific job, try searching with the operators in this article.

Here’s an example: John is looking for a Website Developer Role that doesn’t include knowing HTML or PHP, as he they are not in his skillset. John would head to a job board and create a search with the following string:

“Website Developer” NOT (HTML AND PHP)

This will return the exact phrase ‘Website Developer’ and exclude the programming languages HTML and PHP.

By using Boolean tactics within your job search, you’ll waste less time browsing irrelevant roles and get closer to your desired one. Give them ago and let us know your constructed strings in the comments below.