Search inside the resumes, CVs, and other files attached to candidate and contact profiles using Boolean operators to pinpoint exactly who you're looking for.
What it is
Boolean file search lets you combine keywords with logical operators (AND, OR, NOT) to filter candidate files in Advanced Search. Instead of sifting through results manually, you can build precise queries like "Director" NOT (associate OR senior) and get only the records that match.
It works on files uploaded to candidate and contact profiles and is accessed from the Advanced Search page using the Search Inside Files filter.
How to use it
Go to Advanced Search on the Candidates or Contacts page.
Add the Search Inside Files filter.
Enter your Boolean query in the search field.
Run the search — results show only candidates whose files match.
The five operators
Quoted search ("")
Searches for an exact phrase. Use this when word order matters.
Example: "Sales Manager" returns files containing that exact phrase. Without quotes, it returns files with either word anywhere.
AND
Narrows results to files containing every term.
Example: HTML AND CSS AND JavaScript returns files that mention all three.
OR
Broadens results to files containing at least one of the terms.
Example: engineer OR developer returns files that mention either word.
NOT
Excludes files containing a term.
Example: manager NOT marketing returns files with manager but excludes any that also mention marketing.
Parentheses ( )
Groups terms together for complex queries.
Example: "Director" NOT (associate OR senior) returns files with Director but excludes those that also mention associate or senior.
Operator precedence
When you combine multiple operators, Recruiterflow evaluates them in this order: Quotes first, then Parentheses, then NOT, then OR, then AND. This matters when building longer queries — if you want OR to apply before AND, wrap the OR group in parentheses: (engineer OR developer) AND Python.
Practical example
Sourcing for a mid-level Java backend role and want to exclude junior profiles? Try: "Java" AND (backend OR "back-end") NOT (junior OR entry). This surfaces files that mention Java and backend experience while filtering out CVs that use junior or entry-level language.
Things to know
Boolean search only works on files attached to profiles — it does not search notes, activity logs, or custom fields.
Operators (AND, OR, NOT) must be written in uppercase for Recruiterflow to recognise them as operators rather than search terms.
Search is case-insensitive for keywords — Java and java return the same results.
For a simpler keyword-only file search, see How to Search Inside Candidate Files Using Exact Match.