What is X-Ray Search?
X-Ray search, also known as Boolean Search, is a technique used to perform targeted searches using logical operators like AND, OR, and NOT. This method helps refine and narrow down search results from a vast database of information. It is commonly used in recruitment to filter and source candidates with specific qualifications, skills, or job experience, reducing time and effort in the hiring process.
How X-Ray Search Helps Recruiters:
Time Efficiency: X-Ray search streamlines the recruitment process by filtering irrelevant results, saving time for recruiters.
Better Filtering: Allows recruiters to filter candidates based on skills, experience, location, and other essential criteria.
Customizable Search: Recruiters can tailor searches according to the exact needs of the job opening.
Competitive Edge: By refining searches, recruiters can quickly identify the best candidates for a position.
Boolean Search Operators for Recruiters:
AND: Combines two terms to find results containing both (e.g., "data science AND machine learning").
OR: Expands the search to include results with either of the terms (e.g., "Java OR Python developer").
NOT: Excludes results containing specific terms (e.g., "software engineer NOT web development").
X-Ray Search Tools for Recruitment:
TGC LinkedIn Search: Filters candidates based on location and skills.
Recruit’em X-Ray Search: Targets LinkedIn profiles based on job title, location, and current employer, with the ability to include/exclude keywords.
Recruitment Geek LinkedIn X-Ray Search: A simple tool to search LinkedIn profiles by location and skills.
Lisearcher X-Ray Search: A free tool that helps locate candidate profiles on LinkedIn by job title, keywords, and location.
Google X-Ray Search: Google X-Ray search uses Boolean operators to search through information databases, including candidate profiles on job portals. Google’s vast access to information across the web makes it a powerful tool for sourcing candidates beyond LinkedIn.
Key Boolean Search Modifiers:
Parentheses (): Groups terms together for complex searches.
Asterisk (*) : Acts as a wildcard to search for variations of a term.
Quotes “” : Searches for an exact phrase or sequence.
site: Restricts results to a specific website or domain.
filetype: Limits results to a specific file format (e.g., PDF resumes).
inurl: Searches for terms within URLs (e.g., job listings).
Examples of X-Ray Search Queries for Google:
site:linkedin.com “marketing manager” inurl:candidate
site:twitter.com “business analyst”
site:linkedin.com “sales head” NOT “sales executive"
LinkedIn X-Ray Search for Recruiters: LinkedIn X-Ray Search is essential for recruiters, as LinkedIn profiles contain a wealth of professional data. By using Boolean operators, recruiters can narrow down their candidate search effectively. Key Boolean search operators include:
Type:Profile: Filters to show only profiles.
Quotes: Searches for exact phrases.
AND: Narrows results by including both terms.
OR: Broadens the search to include either term.
NOT: Excludes specific terms from the results.
Examples of LinkedIn X-Ray Search Queries:
type:Profiles “content writer” AND “content marketer”
type:Profiles “software engineer” AND Java
Boolean Search Strings for Recruitment: Boolean search strings combine keywords and operators to refine job candidate searches. Commonly used strings include:
AND
: Narrows the search to results that contain all specified keywords.OR
: Broadens the search by allowing any of the specified keywords.NOT
: Excludes certain keywords.Quotes: Searches for an exact phrase.
Parentheses: Groups terms to control search logic.