In this article, we will explore the boolean search technique and the application of mathematical operators (AND, OR, and NOT) to narrow down or broaden the recruitment of software developers.īoolean search is a technique invented by George Boole that is used to refine the process of recruitment. The results are relevant, accurate, and it’s easier and faster to eliminate irrelevant candidates. #Google boolean search strings for recruiters manualIt matches the candidates with the required skill set, education, and experience and eliminates the need for manual search. With many emerging technologies in the market, it can be challenging to find the right person for the job.īoolean search makes it possible to find dozens of suitable candidates for any position. )Īs a practical example, when you write senior OR sr OR snr OR principal engineer OR developer OR lead OR coder on Google – that is 16 separate searches with no interpretation, results are somehow mixed up – not what you want.Software developers are an integral part of most IT companies. It is difficult and unnecessary (like eating soup with toothpicks. If someone “builds” a “string”, runs it on Google, gets the results, and stops, they are using the best search engine not in its best way. Every string leads to a new one and uncovers information to take into account. It is best to keep Google search simple 95% of the time – and search (anywhere) an iterative process. Indeed, a one-click solution sounds attractive! (We continue to get requests for “the” string for someone’s job requisition, sometimes as a matter of urgency.) The goal is results, not a string. It puts “the” “Boolean String” as the goal. The old idea behind long ORs was that a clever search will “cover it all”. Since then their search has evolved to include NLP, machine learning, and BERT (super-advanced tech that interprets search in a more conversational way). Google uses Semantic Search and coined the phrase “things not strings” as far back as 2012. I was asked yesterday if Boolean searching works in an X-Ray search on Google.Ī timely post by expert sourcer Irina Shamaeva in her Facebook group flagged up how many recruiters are still using Boolean Strings in their Google Searches when better results will come from more simple searches. The semantic component in Google search is AI-based, meaning that it improves all the time, making results relevant – unless you “turn it off” with ORs and NOTs.Ĭlair (Milligan) Mohamed’s share brilliantly summarizes the situation: Since Google has learned to interpret long quieries, ORs have become even less productive. If you search for software engineer, you will find Coders, Programmers, etc.If you search for “software engineer” OR developer, Google will do exactly what you asked. As a popular (but not popular enough!) example, Instead of trying to take control, it is more practical to trust Google’s interpretations. Why? When Google sees ORs, it stops bringing up relevant terms. If you continue with ORs, especially long OR strings on Google, your results will be mediocre. It is your responsibility to apply an inquisitive mind and stay in the loop. Dan Russell’s document is another source you can trust (he works at Google!) Many other sites – even search engine-oriented publications – list the wrong operators and copy from each other, unfortunately. Its search currently shows the list on my blog as a “featured snippet” I do my best to keep the page up-to-date. Note that Google no longer documents all the operators, most likely because a minority of us uses them. We now use the term “Boolean Strings” meaning “advanced search.”ĭo not take me wrong, Google is the best search engine! Using advanced operators, especially, X-Ray ( site:), is a must for any Sourcer, Researcher, or OSINT practitioner. Should I feel sad? We search about 40% of the time and our clients like the results, but the last time any of us used a single OR on Google was years ago. I started this blog in 2008 and “Boolean” was different back then. #Google boolean search strings for recruiters fullThis similarly-styled string (submitted yesterday to our NING site as a “favorite”) is also full of syntax errors – and finds no results: Practical Google search strings do not use ORs and rarely use the minus –. However, the term “Boolean”, meaning AND, OR, and NOT, no longer applies to Google search best practices, and less so every day. Most people in our industry refer to search strings on Google as “Boolean Strings”. It has eventually become such a mismatch in terminology. (Can I please ask you to read to the end?)
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |