Are you tired of wasting time reading through irrelevant postings on job boards, missing high-quality roles hidden by filters? In this blog, you’ll learn how to use Boolean logic on LinkedIn and Google to find targeted, aligned roles faster — and with less frustration.
The Reality of Modern Job Searching
Let’s address the elephant in the room: AI auto-apply tools and endless scrolling through job boards. Response rates for job applications on major platforms in 2025 show low success with many applications receiving only 2-5% response rates on company websites, 3-13% on LinkedIn, and 20-25% on Indeed. These numbers reflect the challenge of AI-driven mass applications being filtered out by applicant tracking systems (ATS) and recruiters prioritizing tailored submissions. (Source: Uppl.ai, April 2025)
The real opportunity lies in strategic searching that helps you find roles before they become overwhelmed with hundreds of applications.
When to Use Google Search vs LinkedIn
The key to effective job searching is knowing which platform to use for different types of searches. Here’s how to decide:
Use LinkedIn When:
- You’re conducting simple searches with straightforward job titles
- You want to research specific companies and their recent hiring patterns– *Note: not all companies share their open jobs on the LinkedIn job board
- You’re looking for networking opportunities and want to connect with recruiters
- You need to understand company culture through employee posts and updates
Use Google When:
- You need advanced site search capabilities across multiple job boards
- You’re targeting niche roles that require specific keyword combinations
- You want access to more comprehensive filter options
- You’re researching companies that may not be active on LinkedIn
- You want to find roles posted directly on company career pages
LinkedIn Boolean Search Strategy
LinkedIn’s search functionality works best when you keep it simple due to their character count limitations. Here are the essential operators that work consistently:
Basic LinkedIn Boolean Operators:
- AND: Both terms MUST appear (LinkedIn assumes this between words)
- OR: Either term can appear
- “Quotation marks”: Exact phrase match
- Parentheses: Group terms together
LinkedIn Search Example:
You can use the separate location search field to filter by city or country. Then for additional filters you can also add onsite, hybrid, or remote filters as well as the date posted to see the latest job posts. Be sure that you are using LinkedIn’s original search and not their AI powered option as this will remove some of the filter options.
For the most effective searches, you can use a systematic four-group approach that combines Function/Skills, Level, Industry, and Tools. For example:
(“data analytics” OR “data science”) AND (manager OR “senior manager”) AND (healthcare OR “healthcare tech”)
This systematic approach works across LinkedIn’s Jobs and people searches as well — and you can use versions of keyword searches not just for finding jobs, but for networking and company research too.
For more examples and the complete framework, read our blog post : Improve Your LinkedIn Search Results by Using Boolean, which includes specific examples for every search group and shows you how to leverage all of LinkedIn’s search capabilities for jobs, posts, people and companies.
Site Search: Your Secret Weapon
Site search capabilities give you access to job postings that may not appear in LinkedIn’s algorithm. Here’s how to leverage it directly from your Google search bar or Chrome tab (this works on any preferred browser ie DuckDuckGo, Bing, Perplexity):
Google Boolean Search Template:
site:companyname.com OR site:jobboard.com “job title” AND “location” AND (“keyword1” OR “keyword2”)
Modern and applicant-friendly job board examples include Ashby, Greenhouse, Lever, and Workday.
Google Site Search Example:
Targeting Specific Companies:
(site:netflix.com OR site:spotify.com OR site:airbnb.com) “Product Manager” AND (“San Francisco” OR “remote”)
Creating Your Personal Boolean Template System
Based on our Allora Search System methodology, here’s how to create your own searchable template:
Step 1: Build Your Term Bank
Create lists of:
- Job Titles: Include variations, synonyms, and related roles
- Companies: Target organizations and their subsidiaries
- Locations: Cities, states, and remote work preferences
- Keywords: Skills, technologies, and industry terms
Step 2: Create and Test Your Search Strings
Create searches for:
- LinkedIn Job Posts: Focus on recent postings and company pages
- LinkedIn Companies and People Searches: Find recruiters and hiring managers in your target companies for referrals, find a mentor, and map your network of connections
- Google Site Searches: Cast a wider net across job boards and company sites
Step 3: Organize Your Resources
Keep track of:
- Job Boards: Beyond the obvious ones, industry-specific boards often have less competition
- Company Career Pages: Direct applications often get faster responses
- Networking Opportunities: LinkedIn posts about hiring and team growth
Want to turn your networking efforts into meaningful conversations? Learn how to create a job search system that works, and leverage shared connections to avoid being overlooked in the application inbox while building strategic relationships in our blog The Allora Job Search System For Applications & Networking That Gets Results
Advanced Tips for Better Results
Time Your Searches
- Monday mornings: New postings from weekend planning
- Tuesday-Thursday: Peak recruiting activity
- Late Friday: Less competition for weekend postings
Save and Set Alerts
Both LinkedIn and Google (as well as other search providers) allow you to save searches and receive notifications. Set up weekly alerts for your top 3-5 search combinations and don’t miss any of the latest postings.
Track Your Applications
Keep notes on which search methods are generating interviews. Double down on what’s working.
Making the Shift from Passive to Strategic
The difference between successful job searches and frustrating ones often comes down to strategy. Instead of scrolling through generic job feeds, you’re now ready to:
- Target specific companies and roles
- Find opportunities and stand out as an early applicant
- Spend your time on quality applications rather than quantity
- Expand your job search to uncover new company targets
- Set alerts based on saved searches yielding results to save you time
Your next step is simple: choose one Boolean search template, test it across both LinkedIn and Google, and track your results for one week. You’ll quickly see which platform and search strategy works best for your specific goals.
Remember, job searching is a skill that improves with practice. Start with these foundational Boolean techniques, then refine your approach based on what generates the best opportunities for your career goals.
Ready to take your job search strategy to the next level?
We’ll help you create your own personalized search system so you can find aligned opportunities faster. Schedule a free consultation to learn more about our coaching approach.
