Boolean Search Cheat Sheet and Examples for Recruiters

Use this Boolean search cheat sheet as a starting point, then adapt every string to the vacancy and platform.

Core Boolean syntax

Need	Syntax	Example
Any alternative	OR	developer OR engineer
Both concepts	AND	Python AND AWS
Remove a concept	NOT	engineer NOT sales
Exact phrase	" "	"project manager"
Group alternatives	( )	(Java OR Kotlin) AND Spring

LinkedIn requires uppercase operators and does not officially support wildcards such as *. Google uses quotation marks for exact phrases, site: for a domain and a minus sign for exclusions. Always test the platform you are using.

Recruiter string template

("primary title" OR "alternative title" OR abbreviation)
AND (essential skill OR equivalent skill)
AND (second evidence term OR alternative)
NOT (repeatable false positive OR irrelevant level)

Software engineer Boolean example

("software engineer" OR "software developer" OR "backend engineer")
AND (Java OR Kotlin)
AND (Spring OR "Spring Boot")
NOT (intern OR internship OR frontend)

Sales manager Boolean example

("sales manager" OR "regional sales manager" OR "sales team lead")
AND (B2B OR enterprise)
AND (pipeline OR forecasting OR quota)
NOT (retail OR assistant)

Accountant Boolean example

(accountant OR "management accountant" OR "financial accountant")
AND (reporting OR "month end" OR "financial statements")
AND (ACCA OR ACA OR CIMA OR CPA)
NOT (assistant OR intern)

Registered nurse Boolean example

("registered nurse" OR RN OR "staff nurse")
AND (acute OR hospital OR ward)
NOT (student OR assistant OR veterinary)

Recruiter Boolean example

(recruiter OR "talent acquisition specialist" OR "recruitment consultant" OR sourcer)
AND (sourcing OR screening OR hiring)
AND (LinkedIn OR ATS OR Boolean)
NOT (student OR intern)

LinkedIn version

Put profile evidence into the keyword string and use LinkedIn filters for location, company, title history and other structured criteria.

("data engineer" OR "data platform engineer")
AND (Python OR Scala)
AND (Airflow OR dbt OR Spark)

Read the LinkedIn Boolean search guide for current operator rules and filter strategy.

Google X-Ray version

site:linkedin.com/in ("data engineer" OR "data platform engineer") (Python OR Scala) Amsterdam -jobs

See the Google X-Ray search guide before applying LinkedIn syntax directly to Google.

Naukri Resdex version

Use Boolean or keyword logic for skills and designations, then apply Resdex fields for experience, location, salary, notice period and employment details.

("Java Developer" OR "Backend Developer") AND Java AND Spring NOT Android

See the Naukri Boolean search guide for a full workflow.

Broad versus precise

Broad

("product manager" OR "product owner") AND (SaaS OR software)

Precise

("product manager" OR "technical product manager")
AND (SaaS OR software)
AND (roadmap AND discovery)
AND (API OR platform)
NOT (project OR marketing)

Run the broad version first. Add one concept at a time and watch which profiles disappear.

Fast troubleshooting

Problem	Change
Too many irrelevant titles	Tighten the title group or use a title filter
Too few profiles	Remove the least important AND group
Missing relevant candidates	Add a reviewed alternative title with OR
Wrong seniority	Use platform filters and a focused title exclusion
Same false positive repeats	Add one specific NOT term
String behaves differently	Check the platform's supported syntax

Copy the right starting point

Browse Boolean searches for 100 roles, build a custom string with the free Boolean generator, or read the complete Boolean search guide to understand the method.