Boolean Search: Job & LinkedIn leads

By Jeff Altman, Big Game Hunter

Boolian search techniques can significantly improve your job search and network efforts, so you can target specific opportunities and connect with the right people. This article will explore how to use Boolian search effectively on platforms such as LinkedIn and Jobs Boards focusing on strategies tailored to university educated 25-30 years.

Understanding Boolian operators

In its core, a Boolian search uses specific operators to refine search queries. These operators include:

• AND: This operator narrows search results by requiring all specified keywords or expressions to be present in the results. For example, search for “marketing and manager” shows only profiles that contain both expressions.
• OR: This operator extends the search results by including results containing at least one of the specified keywords. A search for “developer or programmer” returns profiles that contain both periods.
• NOT: This operator excludes specific expressions from search results. E.g. Will “Engineer Not Software” exclude software engineers from the results.
• Quotation marks (“”): These are used to search for an accurate sentence. Searching for “Sales Development Representative” only returns profiles with the exact phrase.
• Parentheses (): These group conditions together and specify the order of search operations. For example, “(marketing or sales) and manager” will first look for marketing or sales and then for manager.

Boolean search for job hunting

Job titles can be inconsistent across different companies; A role called “Developer” in a company can be named “programmer”, “engineer” or “consultant” in another. To capture all relevant options you need OR Operator to include variations of the job title. For example, if you are looking for a .NET developer job, you can search for “(developer or engineer or programmer or analyst or consultant) and .NET”. This will ensure that you do not miss relevant positions that may use slightly different titles.

Similarly, if you are looking for a sales role, use the OR operator to search for “(associated or representative or executive) and sales” to expand your search and include all relevant variations of the sales job title.

Using Boolean on LinkedIn

LinkedIn’s search filters can be restrictive, so Boolian search is especially valuable there. To use Boolean Search effectively on LinkedIn:

1. Start with Google: You can use Google’s search engine to find profiles on LinkedIn using the format: Website: LinkedIn.com/in followed by your Boolian search expressions. For example: site:linkedin.com/in AND "puppet mastery" will find people with puppet mastery skills. This approach bypasses LinkedIn’s search restrictions.
2. Combine keywords and phrases: When using the general keyword field, use quotes for sentences (eg “Sales Manager”). This ensures that the search looks for these words in the specific order. Without quotes, LinkedIn will search for each word separately, which can lead to irrelevant results.
3. Job title filters: Use the job title filter on LinkedIn for current positions. Combine this with the general keyword search to identify people with a particular job title and a special expertise. Enter e.g. In the field title field (head OR VP OR "vice president" OR chief) AND (sales OR marketing)and in the general keyword field, specific technologies or tools are added, for example MailChimp OR Sendinblue.
4. Boolean search on LinkedIn is limited: LinkedIn limits Boolian searches and the number of results returned. Free accounts are limited to 1,000 results and blocks very long Boolian search strings. LinkedIn Sales Navigator, the Premium version of LinkedIn, has fewer boundaries and can produce more results.
5. Iterers and refine: Build a basic search and then examine the results. Look for keywords in the profile you may be adding to make your search more refined and specific.

Boolian search by network

Boolian search is not just to find job openings; It is also a powerful tool for identifying and connecting with people in your field. Here are some network strategies using Boolian search:

• Identify people in target companies: Use Boolian search to find people working at companies of interest. For example, search site:linkedin.com/in AND "company name" AND ("job title" OR "related skills").
• Experience industry experts: Find experts by searching for keywords related to your industry. For example, search for "artificial intelligence" AND (speaker OR author OR researcher).
• Connect with people at conferences: To identify people who attended specific conferences, search for filetype:pdf AND list AND conference name.
• Use LinkedIn’s feature “People also asks”: Google’s feature “People also asks” can reveal questions that others in your field ask. Use these questions to generate content for your LinkedIn posts or to connect to people who ask these questions.
• Use tools like Crystal Knows: Tools like Crystal Knows can analyze a person’s online activity to provide insight into their communication style. This can help you tailor your approach when you reach new contacts. For example, if the tool reveals someone prefers direct communication, avoid small prat in your initial messages and get directly to that point.

Advanced techniques

• Prefixes: Use prefixes as site: To search on specific sites, filetype: to search for specific file types and allintitle: To search for words in page titles.
• Positive properties: It is better to use positive keywords than negative keywords (using AND is better than using NOT).
• Creative Keywords: Brainstorm creative and specific words and phrases that people in your target roles may use in their profiles.

Conclusion

Masting of Boolian search can significantly improve your job hunt and network. By understanding how to use ANDAt ORAt NOTAt quotation marksand parenthesesYou can design more accurate and effective search queries. This allows you to find relevant job opportunities and get in touch with the right people in the desired industry and improve your career opportunities. Remember to continuously refine your search techniques and adapt to the changing algorithms on job platforms and social media sites.

Ⓒ The Big Game Hunter, Inc., Asheville, NC 2025

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