Boolean search is a structured query method that uses logical operators to combine, include, or exclude keywords from search results. Named after mathematician George Boole, it's the foundation of how databases, search engines, and recruiting platforms filter information.
For recruiters and sourcers, boolean search is the most direct way to find candidates. Instead of scrolling through hundreds of irrelevant profiles, a well-constructed boolean string surfaces exactly the people who match your criteria. A single string can filter by job title, required skills, location, company, and experience level simultaneously.
The core operators are simple: AND requires both terms, OR accepts either term, and NOT excludes a term. Combine these with quotation marks for exact phrases and parentheses for grouping, and you can build queries that return highly targeted candidate lists. For a deeper dive with platform-specific examples, see our boolean search strings guide for recruiters.