How to use Boolean searches

Modified on Tue, 4 Jul, 2023 at 10:40 AM

What is a Boolean search?

The Boolean search technique combines keywords and phrases with specific words and symbols (called Boolean operators) to broaden or refine search results, similar to an advanced search function.

By using Boolean operators, you will receive more relevant search results by providing more specific information about what you're looking for.

Common examples of Boolean operators and how they're used

"Quotation Marks"

Quotation marks can be used to return results that include an exact phrase.

For example, "Customer Service Advisor" or "project management". This ensures your search results are accurate as it groups these keywords together.

AND

This can be used to only return results that mention multiple keywords or phrases.

For example, "Security Guard" AND "SIA Licence". If a CV doesn't include both phrases, then it won't appear in your search result list.

Use OR to conduct a search that includes multiple keywords or phrases. This can be used to capture relevant search results that might be using different phrases. Search results will include CVs that include any of the phrases listed, saving you time on multiple searches.

For example, "Customer Service Advisor" OR "Customer Service Representative" OR "Customer Service Agent".

NOT

Exclude irrelevant search results from the list by using NOT.

For example, Nurse not "Veterinary Nurse".

(Brackets)

Using brackets can be helpful when identifying multiple keywords or phases.

For example, Administrator AND ("Receptionist" OR "Customer Service").

*Wildcards*

Return results that include a variation on your original search terms to capture CVs using alternative phrases.

For example, Admin* will produce results including Admin, Administrator, Administration etc.

~Tilde~

Return results with multiple keywords in any order within a specified number of words from each other.

For example, "marketing, CRM, Digital" ~20 will give you results that include these keywords listed within 20 words of each other.