Boolean operators are specific keywords used by search engines to make a very precise search. Each engine, like LinkedIn, has its own particularities, which allow you to obtain more relevant results when you do a search. By the end of this article, you'll know how best to use Booleans to find only relevant profiles, and that's beautiful.
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A Boolean operator is an expression you can use to compare different values (keywords in this case) and return an answer.
A Boolean can only return two types of response: true or false.
Par exemple, l'expression 5 > 3 sera considérée comme vraie car 5 est supérieur à 3. L'expression 5 < 3 est fausse car 5 n'est pas inférieur à 3.
The simplest way to understand how these operators work is as follows:
In concrete terms, these are conditions that are applied to refine queries on any type of search engine such as Google, Bing or LinkedIn.
If this isn't clear, don't worry: full-scale examples are provided at the end to lighten the load.
There are 5 main Boolean operators: "AND", "OR", "NOT" , quotation marks and parentheses.
I'll give you a few examples below to simplify your understanding.
It's important to know that a search engine basically interprets a space as an "AND" operator, even if this is not mentioned.
For example, if you search for freelance stylist, the engine interprets stylist AND freelance.
"AND" is used to combine two or more conditions. The result will only be true if all conditions are met.
That's why there's a difference between these 2 queries, and why the results will be just as different:
OR " is used to combine two or more conditions. The result will be true if at least one of the conditions is met, but not necessarily all the opposite of "AND".
Like the query: stylist OR fashion designer. You'll get results with profiles that are stylists, pattern makers or both.
"NOT" reverses the result of an expression; it returns false if its argument was true and vice versa.
If you're looking for a stylist, not a pattern maker: stylist NOT pattern maker.
An exact expression, as the name suggests, is a combination of keywords.
For example, if you are looking for a freelance stylist specializing in knitwear, if you write :
Like a simple mathematical operation, parentheses follow the same logic.
They can be used to prioritize part of the request.
For example:
To do this, you need to use the Boolean operators AND, OR and NOT.
First, select the operator you wish to use: AND or OR.
Then enter your search terms in the search bar and click on "Search".
The results will be displayed in order of relevance (the most relevant at the top and the least relevant on pages where nobody goes).
You can use these operators on the search bar of LinkedIn, Sales Navigator or Recruiter depending on your package, in addition to filters to make your search as precise as possible.
In some search engines, you can use "+" instead of "AND" or "-" instead of "NOT".
On LinkedIn, the "+" and "-" symbols are not taken into account, so LinkedIn recommends using "AND" and/or "OR " for simplified reading and results.
As with all Boolean searches, the keywords "AND", "OR" and "NOT" must be capitalized.
Searching with quotation marks for an exact phrase query works on LinkedIn and takes precedence over all operators.
During a search, LinkedIn interprets the query according to an order of priority: quotation marks, then parentheses, the basic operators NOT, AND and OR last.
Let's take a concrete application example. You're looking for a freelance model-maker who has mastered Clo 3D conceptualization software, and another profile who doesn't need this expertise.
For the sake of simplicity, I'm going to use Sales Navigator, but whatever search engine I use, the principle remains the same.
You'll see for yourself the difference between these two queries and the quality of the results.
I'm going to use 2 different queries:
Unsurprisingly, the first image with the "AND" operator shows very few profiles that mentioned Clo 3D technology.
As for the use of the Clo 3D-free operator, the query returned all the results that didn't mention Clo 3D technology, i.e. several pages of results.
Using Boolean operators is a great way to make your search fast, efficient and relevant.
It allows you to find candidates who perfectly match your selection criteria. You can use these operators to combine 2 criteria (e.g. "from Paris" and "stylists") or several criteria (e.g. "stylist", "womenswear", "knitwear").
Then all you have to do is contact them using your own methodology, in line with your employer branding, and prepare your interview method and onboarding.
Crafting Connections, Empowering Creativity.
