Reed.co.uk’s CV Search tool allows you to proactively find relevant and suitable candidates. You can search for keywords that appear in candidates’ CVs and further refine your search using the various filters.
We understand that recruiters often have specific criteria they’re searching for, and that’s where Boolean search can help. Never used Boolean search before? Here’s a quick guide to help you get started and take more control of your hiring.
What is Boolean search?
Boolean searching is a structured process that helps you to tailor your search. It allows you to limit, broaden or define a search to your specific criteria – giving you greater control over your results. This works by using particular operators (such as AND, OR, and NOT) to create a more advanced search query.
Why use Boolean search?
With over 15.5 million searchable CVs live on Reed.co.uk*, Boolean search can help you narrow down your results to ensure you find the very best candidate for your vacancy.
Using a combination of Boolean search and our filters, you’ll find candidates with the skills, qualifications, and experience that you need quickly and easily.
So how does Boolean search work?
You can tailor your search by using operator terms which are words and punctuation such as: AND, OR, “” or *. There is a 3,000-character limit for the keyword field so you can incorporate multiple operators and keywords in your search.
1. AND
When to use – You want to see candidates with multiple keywords in their CVs. If a candidate’s CV only includes one of these words, their profile will not appear in the results.
Your search criteria– ‘I want a developer who knows Javascript.’
Example Boolean search – Developer AND Javascript
2. OR
When to use – You want to review CVs that include one of several keywords but don’t need all to appear.
Your search criteria – ‘I want someone who is ACCA or CIMA qualified.’
Example Boolean search – ACCA OR CIMA
3. “ “ marks
When to use – You only want CVs to appear in your search that include an exact phrase.
Your search criteria – ‘I want a Sales Manager.’
Example Boolean search – “Sales Manager”
N.B: Searching Sales Manager without quotations, for example, would return both Sales and Management candidates.
4. *
When to use – When you’re searching for a candidate and want keywords to start with a certain term.
Your search criteria – ‘I want an Administrator.’
Example Boolean search – Admin* (This will return all words which begin with ‘Admin’, for example, Administrators and Administrative Assistants).
5. ( )
When to use – When you’re searching for a candidate using multiple keywords, but want to group two or more sets of conditions in one query.
Your search criteria – ‘I want a Financial Accountant who is either ACCA or CIMA qualified.’
Example Boolean search – “Financial Accountant” AND (ACCA OR CIMA)
What if I want to perform a more advanced search?
Sometimes you may have strict criteria for your search, but you’re not sure how to perform it in Boolean terms. Here’s an example of a more advanced search string:
Your search criteria – ‘I want to find a Developer who has experience using .NET technologies, and has also performed coding in Objective C.’
Example Boolean search – Developer AND (.NET OR. NET) AND (ObjectiveC OR Objective C)
What if I run out of space and can’t complete my whole search?
Reed.co.uk’s CV Search has a limit of 3,000 characters. For the majority of searches, you’ll be able to fit your criteria into the search box. However, here are some tips you can use to cut down the number of characters if you have a particularly lengthy search string:
- You can eliminate the spaces between operators and search phrases.
- The AND function is assumed by Boolean when no operator is placed between phrases, so removing it can help to save space too.
Your search criteria – ‘I want to find a Developer who has experience using .NET technologies, and has also performed coding in Objective C.’
Example Boolean search – Developer(.NET OR. NET)(ObjectiveC OR Objective C)
To find out how Reed.co.uk can help your business find the talent you’re looking for, call us now on 020 3510 9331, or contact your Account Manager today.
*Number of candidates registered on Reed.co.uk with CV Visibility turned on as of September 2024.
