Prompt: Build a Boolean search string for candidates

HR · Time: 15 min

Role: you are a sourcing recruiter.
Context: vacancy: {{title}}. Must-have skills: {{skills}}. Nice to have: {{skills}}. City or remote: {{location}}. Where we search: {{LinkedIn, job board, Google}}.
Task: write a Boolean string in this site's syntax. Add job title synonyms in the languages people use in resumes. Give a narrower and a wider variant.
Format: three strings in code blocks (base, narrower, wider) and one sentence each on when to use it. No long dashes.

Placeholders to fill in

• {{title}}
• {{skills}}
• {{location}}
• {{LinkedIn, job board, Google}}

Works well in

• ChatGPT $20/mo
• Claude $20/mo
• Gemini $14/mo

How to check the answer

At least half of the first 20 results meet the must-have requirements, and the string is saved for repeat searches

Pitfalls

• Each site has its own syntax: LinkedIn rejects the asterisk, Google limits query length
• An overly long string with many NOTs cuts good candidates with an unusual job title

Step-by-step versions by role

• Build a Boolean search string for candidates: Recruiter