Boolean Search
- 1. A Better Way to Locate Online Jobs Boolean Search Mark W. Biersdorf MSR Solutions July 17, 2012
- 2. Advanced Searches Most job programs have an advanced search option – Check boxes – Fill in fields such as: • “All of these words,” “This exact phrase,” “None of these words,” “Any of these words”
- 3. LinkedIn Adv. Search • Try different words • Delete words that don’t apply • Narrow Search
- 5. Why Boolean Search? • More tools than “advanced search” • Get higher quality, more accurate, search results • Can use the same string in other programs and not just LinkedIn
- 6. Boolean Works Almost Anywhere • Universal terms • Twitter • LinkedIn • TwitJobSearch & Others • Google
- 7. Search Concepts • A search is a process. Start with words or terms that have meaning to you. • Read the results of the search. Some jobs will be inappropriate to your needs. Alter the search. • For example, “IT Manager” search brings up Nurses. Remove them from the search and try again.
- 8. Search Concepts • Searches are meant to be revised, never done once • Think like the hiring company; job titles like “Controller” may be listed as “CPA” • Start with a broad search, narrow it down • The odds of you getting your first search correct are very low. Keep trying!
- 9. Boolean Terms • Operators – Always in capital letters – AND – narrows search results – OR – expands search results – NOT – removes terms
- 10. Boolean Symbols • Parentheses – ( ) – Around terms with Operators • Quotations – “ “ – Two or more words in phrase • Minus – “‐” – Used to delete term from search • Plus – “+” – Used to add term to search • Tilde – “~” – Searches for synonyms
- 11. Trial Advanced Search
- 12. TwitJobSearch • Great site for building and testing search strings • Cut and paste results into LinkedIn
- 13. Define Job Terms Define the terms you want to use in your search. – Looking for an IT senior manager or director position – Interested in tech teams, business relationship manager, projects – Chicago or Milwaukee
- 14. Write String • Start with basics – i.e., IT Manager Director • Type string, search, alter, search • Goal is to get 70‐80% accurate string • Expand string with basic terms: – "IT" (manager OR director) AND (Chicago OR Milwaukee) ‐Sales ‐fitness ‐ merger ‐accountant ‐ chain ‐voice ‐developer
- 15. Unwanted Results • Review results • Identify unwanted results • Minus out term
- 16. Final Results • Final: – "IT" (manager OR director) AND (Chicago OR Milwaukee) ‐Sales ‐fitness ‐ merger ‐accountant ‐ chain ‐voice –developer • Ready for LinkedIn
- 17. LinkedIn Results • Save search string
- 18. Email Alerts with Results • Name search • Select email alert schedule • Search string results mailed to you daily
- 22. Questions?