What is a Boolean search?
A Boolean search is an advanced keyword search method used to target specific results. When searching resumes on the internet, it can be invaluable in maximizing your time spent searching!
When running Boolean searches, it is important to remember that no search is ever final. Once run, you might find that your Boolean string needs to be modified still.
Running Simple Boolean Searches
The logic behind running a Boolean search is very simple. Basically, by using words such as AND, OR, and AND NOT (to name the most common!), you can quickly cut through the web to find the results that you are looking for.
Other Simple Boolean Search Methods
Though less commonly used, sometimes they're just what you're looking for.
ROOT WORD Searches
Root word searches allow you to pull words that contain the same prefix. The operator for root word searches is an asterisk (*).
For example, if you constructed the following search…
Search For: nurs*Using: Boolean SearchThe results would include "nurse," "nurses," and "nursing."
STEM WORD Searches
Stem word searches allow you to pull words that contain the same base stem. The operator for stem word searches is two asterisks (**).
For example, if you constructed the following search...
Search For: fly**Using: Boolean SearchThe results would include "fly," "flew," "flown," "flying," etc.
Running More Advanced Boolean Searches
Once you can create a simple Boolean string, moving on to a more advanced search is really not much harder. It's all in how you group things!
Parentheses
The most important tool when constructing more advanced Boolean strings are the parentheses (i.e. the characters that are enclosing this clause).
While they seem intimidating at first, using parentheses is actually very easy.
If you think back to high school math, things that are in parentheses are always "grouped together"...
2 * 3 + 1 = 7but2 * (3 + 1) = 8
The parentheses add clarification on which operation should be performed first.
The parentheses function much the same in a Boolean search. For example, if you were looking for an engineer who has CAD experience and either mechanical or electrical experience, you could use the following:
Search For: CAD and engineer* and (mechanical or electrical)Using: Boolean SearchThe results would be everyone who has "CAD," "engineer" / "engineers" / "engineering," and "mechanical" listed, or everyone who has "CAD," "engineer" / "engineers" / "engineering," and "electrical" listed.
Double-Quotes
Another very important set of operators is double-quotes. Double-quotes allow you to search for a specific phrase, not just individual words. For example:
Search For: "web design" and htmlUsing: Boolean SearchThe results would be everyone who has the phrase "web design" in their resume and the word "html."
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