ANDNarrows
Require both
Use AND when both concepts must be present.
Example
Python AND DjangoReturns results containing Python AND Django.
Module 03 · Sourcing
Boolean Search Cheat Sheet
Boolean search lets you combine keywords to make your candidate searches broader, narrower and more precise.
1. The 5 Building Blocks
ORBroadens
Accept alternatives
Use OR when different terms could describe the same thing. This is particularly useful for alternative job titles.
Example
"Software Engineer" OR "Software Developer"Returns results containing either term.
NOTNarrows
Exclude something
Use NOT to remove unwanted results.
Example
Engineer NOT ManagerUse NOT carefully: you can accidentally remove good candidates.
" "Increases precision
Exact phrase
Use quotation marks when words need to appear together. Great for job titles, company names, multi-word skills and specific phrases.
Example
"Machine Learning Engineer"Without quotation marks, each word may be treated as a separate keyword.
( )Controls logic
Group alternatives
Use brackets to tell the search engine which terms belong together.
Example
("Software Engineer" OR "Software Developer") AND (Python OR Golang)Think of each bracket as a category of acceptable answers.
2. Build Your Search in Blocks
The easiest way to build Boolean searches is to think in concept groups.
Title
("Software Engineer" OR "Software Developer" OR "Backend Engineer")Skills
(Python OR Golang OR Rust)Company
(Stripe OR Revolut OR Monzo)Combined:
("Software Engineer" OR "Software Developer" OR "Backend Engineer") AND (Python OR Golang OR Rust) AND (Stripe OR Revolut OR Monzo)The logic is: one of these titles AND one of these skills AND one of these companies. That's the fundamental pattern behind most Boolean candidate searches.
3. The Basic Formula
For most searches, start with:
(TITLE) AND (SKILL) AND (COMPANY / INDUSTRY / DOMAIN)For example:
("Machine Learning Engineer" OR "ML Engineer") AND (Python OR PyTorch) AND ("computer vision" OR robotics)You don't need to fill every category. A simple search can be:
("Machine Learning Engineer" OR "ML Engineer") AND PythonStart simple and add complexity only when you need it.
4. How to Improve Your Search
Too few candidates?
Broaden it. Add synonyms using OR:
("Software Engineer" OR "Software Developer" OR "Backend Engineer")Remove unnecessary AND requirements. Ask: which of my criteria don't actually need to be mandatory?
Too many candidates?
Narrow it. Add another requirement:
("Software Engineer" OR "Backend Engineer") AND Python AND AWSOr exclude consistently irrelevant results:
("Software Engineer" OR "Backend Engineer") AND Python NOT RecruiterAsk: what characteristic separates the candidates I want from the candidates I don't?
5. The Most Important Rule
OR within categories.
AND between categories.
("Software Engineer" OR "Backend Engineer" OR "Software Developer") AND (Python OR Golang) AND (Stripe OR Monzo OR Revolut)Remember: OR = another acceptable answer. AND = another requirement.
6. Common Mistakes
Being too specific too early
Every additional AND can remove potentially good candidates.
Forgetting alternative titles
A great candidate might call themselves a Software Engineer rather than a Backend Engineer. Search for concepts, not just one exact title.
Using NOT aggressively
Excluding one word can unintentionally remove strong candidates. Use exclusions only when you've identified a consistent source of irrelevant results.
Building enormous strings immediately
Start broad. Look at the results. Identify what's wrong. Then refine. Boolean search should be iterative.
Quick Reference
| Operator | Meaning | Effect |
|---|---|---|
| AND | Both must appear | Narrows |
| OR | Either can appear | Broadens |
| NOT | Exclude term | Narrows |
| " " | Exact phrase | Increases precision |
| ( ) | Group terms | Controls logic |
The rule to remember
Titles OR Titles
AND
Skills OR Skills
AND
Companies OR Companies
Exercise
0 of 5 fields started
Build a Boolean search for your current priority role.