Is filling out multiple search fields (e.g. Is typing in OR, -, ” ” and ( ) really tiresome?

Well, for basic Boolean search, we’re talking 2 operators and 2 of modifiers – in many search engines you don’t even need to type AND, as any old space will do. If you think Boolean search is tiresome, I say you’re lazy. What do you think? Boolean Search is Tiresome I’d be willing to bet that those same recruiters who don’t enjoy searching to find people to engage also don’t enjoy reviewing responses to job postings as many are unqualified – they would much rather be given a list of well matched people, which semantic search solutions claim to be able to do. To say that Boolean search is boring is to say that carefully looking for and trying to find people (paraphrasing Merriam-Webster’s definition of search) is boring. Semantic search solutions alleviate the boredom of searching for those who find it tedious, because similar to posting a job and getting responses, semantic search solutions often allow you to enter minimal information and get results. Others would be happy to post jobs and wait for people to come to them and would rather not ever have to search for potential candidates to engage. Some people really like searching databases, social networks, the Internet, etc., for people to engage and recruit. The same people who bash Boolean search don’t find typing terms into separate search fields, picking from lists and checking boxes exciting or particularly enjoyable. I think the real issue is that some recruiters just don’t enjoy searching for people, and if you don’t enjoy something it’s common to find it boring. I don’t think there is anything intrinsically “boring” about Boolean operators. Whether you type in keywords, select from a list, check a box, apply a filter, etc., all you’re doing is configuring a query to get results to review. Do you find it more “exciting” to select from a list or check a box on a LinkedIn facet? Searching is about finding things you need and want, and there are many ways that you can search for and find those things. This may confuse some people, but “Boolean Search” isn’t about Boolean – it’s about search. The same is true with LinkedIn and many other sites you can search to find people. Any time you use more than 1 term in your search on Google, Bing, Amazon, eBay, etc., you’re using Boolean search.

If Boolean search is boring, then searching the Internet, Amazon, etc., for anything is boring. Let’s hit the reset button first and get a couple of things straight:

I’ll address the statements from #SOSUEU in order. Regardless, I am happy to weigh in here, and I believe that the majority of people simply aren’t looking at search properly in the first place. I would have loved to sit on that panel discussion and contribute my experience and thoughts on the subject – I was actually supposed to attend and speak but I left the sponsoring company just prior to the event. I was struck by the image Marc Drees used in his #SOSUEU: the day after post, which you can see above. Do you think Boolean search is boring, tiresome and ineffective, and that semantic search delivers faster results that count?

Amazon boolean search