Boolean search strings allow you to construct precise and targeted searches on LinkedIn using operators like AND, OR, NOT and parentheses. By combining keywords with operators, you can tap into LinkedIn’s over 810 million members and 30 million companies more effectively. This enables you to find the right people, companies, jobs, content and other information relevant to your search.
For example, recruiters may want to find software engineers with skills in Python. Marketers may want to identify decision makers at IT companies in Chicago. Job seekers could search for openings with a specific job title and salary range. Boolean searches help you zero in on exactly the results you want by eliminating irrelevant content.
What is a Boolean Search?
A Boolean search is a type of search that allows you to combine keywords with operators such as AND, OR, NOT and parentheses () to further refine and focus your search results. The keywords are the core search terms you want to search for. The Boolean operators allow you to construct more complex queries to filter your results based on multiple criteria.
Boolean searches aim to eliminate results that are irrelevant to your specific criteria. This helps you find information that matches your precise needs rather than browsing through a vast, unfocused set of general results.
Some key advantages of Boolean searches include:
- Allows combining multiple keywords and filters
- Narrows search results down to the most relevant matches
- Enables searching for specific phrases using quotation marks
- Filters out irrelevant content using NOT and parentheses
- Connect keywords and phrases with AND or OR
- Quickly drill down to find exact information needed
Boolean Operators
Here are the main Boolean operators you can use:
AND
The AND operator matches both terms on either side of it. This is used to narrow down the search results.
For example:
project manager AND PMP
This will return profiles of project managers who also have the PMP certification. Both criteria must be met.
OR
The OR operator matches results with either term. This is used to broaden the search results.
For example:
project manager OR program manager
This will return profiles of people who have either job title. Results with either term will be included.
NOT
The NOT operator excludes any results containing the term after it. This filters out irrelevant matches.
For example:
project manager NOT construction
This will find project managers in fields other than construction. Any results with “construction” are excluded.
Parentheses ()
Parentheses are used to group parts of the search string together, controlling the logic and order of operations. Terms inside parentheses are evaluated first as a group.
For example:
(project manager OR program manager) AND PMP
This ensures that results match either job title AND also have the PMP certification. The parentheses change the logic compared to no parentheses.
Boolean Search Examples
Here are some sample Boolean search strings you can use on LinkedIn:
Software Engineers with Python Skills
software engineer AND python
Results must match both terms, finding software engineers with python skills listed on their profile.
IT Decision Makers in Chicago
(“IT director” OR “Chief Information Officer” OR “Chief Technology Officer”) AND Chicago
Finds profiles of IT leaders and decision makers with job titles containing IT director, CIO, or CTO who are located in Chicago.
UX Designers Interested in Freelance Work
“UX designer” AND freelance
Matches profiles of UX designers who mention freelance work.
Social Media Managers with Certification
“social media manager” AND (certified OR certification)
Finds social media managers who list a certification on their profile.
Sales Account Executives in New York City
“sales account executive” AND “New York City”
Matches sales account executives located in New York City.
Remote Jobs with Salary Over $100k
(remote OR “work from home”) AND salary > $100,000
Finds remote jobs with a listed salary over $100,000.
Tips for Effective Boolean Searches
Here are some tips to create better Boolean searches:
- Use quotation marks around multi-word terms or phrases – this searches for exact matches
- Try different combinations of AND, OR and NOT to refine your query
- Use parentheses to group parts of the search string
- Start broad, then narrow down your search terms
- Filter by job title, company, location, skills, interests, and other profile fields
- Adjust keywords based on the search results
- Identify key skills or requirements to search for
- Avoid common or vague terms that give irrelevant results
Advanced Boolean Search Tips
Some additional tips for advanced Boolean searches:
- Use site:linkedin.com to limit results to just LinkedIn
- Try using Boolean search directly in the LinkedIn search bar for quick searches
- Use Google’s site: command to search member profiles: site:linkedin.com/in/ “python developer”
- To search job listings, use site:linkedin.com/jobs
- Use LinkedIn’s advanced search page for more options and filters
- Filter by date range, content type, and other parameters
- Combine with LinkedIn’s operators like title:, company:, school:, etc
- Analyze and refine your search queries over time
Benefits of Boolean Search
Boolean searches provide many benefits:
- More targeted, relevant results
- Ability to combine multiple search filters
- Eliminate noise and irrelevant content
- Saves time compared to manual browsing and filtering
- Helps refine broad topics to specific focus areas
- Repeatable methodology to improve search over time
- Find information and insights that would be hard to discover otherwise
- Free to use with LinkedIn and Google search
- Easy to learn syntax and start applying
Whether you are recruiting, job searching, researching a company, looking for business partners, or seeking any type of information – crafting an effective Boolean search query helps cut through the clutter. It enables you to take full advantage of LinkedIn’s depth of over 810 million members and 30 million companies.
Conclusion
In summary, a Boolean search allows combining keywords and operators like AND, OR and NOT to create precise search queries. This eliminates irrelevant results and zeroes in on the exact information you need.
Boolean search techniques apply well to LinkedIn given the breadth of profile data. By constructing focused Boolean search strings, you can tap into LinkedIn’s network and quickly find the right people, companies, jobs and information to achieve your goals. Anyone can benefit from learning this simple but powerful technique for better searching.