How to Run a Boolean Search to Find the Jobs That Suit You Best

When you are looking for a new job, the number of results on Google or job boards can be overwhelming. The good news is that there is a smarter way to search. It is called a Boolean search.

Boolean searching helps you narrow down to exactly what you are looking for by using a few simple operators and words. It is the same technique used by professional recruiters every day to find the perfect candidates.

Let us look at how you can use Boolean search on Google to find the right role in your area, using a real example.

What Is Boolean Search

A Boolean search uses special words like AND, OR and quotation marks to make your search results more specific. It is like giving Google or a job board a set of very clear instructions.

Here is a quick overview of the main operators you will use:

• AND means you want results that include both terms.
• OR lets you include results that have one term or another.
• NOT or a minus sign removes certain terms from your results.
• Quotation marks search for exact phrases.
• Brackets group parts of a search together to make it more structured.

Example Searching for a Management Accountant Role in Swindon

Let us say you are a Management Accountant based in Swindon with experience in company mergers and SAP software. Here is how to build your Boolean search step by step.

Step 1 Start with the Job Title

Search for the exact job title first by typing "Management Accountant". Using quotation marks ensures Google looks for that exact phrase rather than just management or accountant separately.

Step 2 Add Your Location

To target your area, simply include your town or city with AND. For example, "Management Accountant" AND Swindon.

You can also add nearby areas if you are open to commuting, such as "Management Accountant" AND (Swindon OR Chippenham OR Oxford).

Step 3 Add Your Skills or Experience

Next, include key skills you want to highlight, for example company mergers and SAP software. Your search might look like "Management Accountant" AND Swindon AND ("company mergers" OR "acquisitions") AND SAP.

This tells Google you want job results that include all of those phrases.

Step 4 Exclude What You Do Not Want

If you keep getting unrelated results, use the minus sign to exclude them. For example, if you do not want temporary or contract jobs, you can add minus contract minus temporary at the end of your search.

Step 5 Use It on Google or Job Boards

You can use Boolean search directly in Google or on many job boards such as:

• Reed
• Indeed
• CV Library
• LinkedIn
• TotalJobs

Just type your Boolean search into the site’s keyword bar and you will instantly get more focused and relevant job results.

Intermediate Boolean Search Tips

Once you get the hang of it, you can make your searches even sharper.

1. Use a wildcard with an asterisk to include variations of a word. For example, typing account* will include accountant, accounting or accounts.
2. Combine industries or role types by using brackets to group terms together, such as ("Finance Manager" OR "Management Accountant") AND ("Swindon" OR "Wiltshire") AND SAP.
3. Search specific sites using Google by adding the word site followed by a colon and the website, for example site:reed.co.uk. This tells Google to only show results from that job board.

Why Boolean Searching Works

Using Boolean search makes your job hunt much more efficient. It helps you avoid irrelevant listings, find jobs that genuinely match your skills, and save time scrolling through hundreds of random results.

You are essentially searching the way recruiters do, so you will be ahead of most other job seekers.

Keep Track with Laburo

Once you have found roles that interest you, do not forget you can save and track them all in Laburo. By linking your jobs, you can keep a record of every job you have applied for, check your suitability based on your skills, and monitor your application progress easily.

A Boolean search might sound technical, but it is simply a smarter way to tell Google or a job board exactly what you want. With a few simple operators and brackets, you can cut through the noise and focus only on the opportunities that truly fit you.

So next time you are looking for a new job, try building a Boolean search. It could be the quickest way to uncover the perfect next role.