Reviewed recruiter search
Copy role-specific Boolean strings for LinkedIn, Google X-Ray, and CV databases, or customise them using your actual vacancy.
Expands the title set with seniority variants and two high-signal Backend Developer skills. Use it when the available talent pool is small.
("Backend Developer" OR "Back End Engineer" OR "Server-side Developer" OR "Junior Backend Developer" OR "Senior Backend Developer" OR "Lead Backend Developer") AND ("REST APIs" OR "databases")Combines the main and alternative titles with three relevant skills, then removes common false positives. This is the best starting point for most searches.
("Backend Developer" OR "Back End Engineer" OR "Server-side Developer") AND ("REST APIs" OR "databases" OR "server-side development") NOT "recruiter" NOT "sales" NOT "student" NOT "internship only"Requires four role-specific skill signals and applies exclusions. Use it for a large database where relevance matters more than reach.
("Backend Developer" OR "Back End Engineer" OR "Server-side Developer") AND ("REST APIs" AND "databases" AND "server-side development" AND "software development") NOT "recruiter" NOT "sales" NOT "student" NOT "internship only"title:("Backend Developer" OR "Back End Engineer" OR "Server-side Developer") AND ("REST APIs" OR "databases" OR "server-side development")site:linkedin.com/in ("Backend Developer" OR "Back End Engineer" OR "Server-side Developer") ("REST APIs" OR "databases" OR "server-side development") NOT "recruiter" NOT "sales" NOT "student" NOT "internship only"("Backend Developer" OR "Back End Engineer" OR "Server-side Developer") AND ("REST APIs" OR "databases" OR "server-side development" OR "software development" OR "system design" OR "agile" OR "Git") NOT "recruiter" NOT "sales" NOT "student" NOT "internship only"Build a search for your job
Paste the job description to generate a more specific Boolean search. Use it free, or create an account to keep the search with the role and add candidates later.
Questions recruiters ask
A Boolean search combines titles, skills and exclusions with operators such as AND, OR and NOT. Recruiters use it to find more relevant profiles across LinkedIn, Google and CV databases.
You can paste a complete job description or a short search brief. The best inputs include the role title, alternative titles, must-have skills, seniority, location and any terms that should be excluded.
Balanced is the best starting point for most roles. Use Broad when the talent pool is small or titles vary widely. Use Precise when your database is large and the requirements are genuinely essential.
Yes, but search syntax varies by platform. LinkedIn, Google X-Ray and individual CV databases may support different operators, so test the string and simplify it if a platform rejects part of the query.
Review the profiles returned, add alternative titles used by strong candidates and remove requirements that are unnecessarily narrow. If the search is noisy, add high-signal skills or exclusions one at a time.
Keep exploring