What is Google X-Ray search?

Google X-Ray is a search method that uses Boolean logic terms to better define your query and drive more relevant results. For example, a recruiter might be looking for candidates for a senior web development position. If the position requires Java skills, a traditional search might be “web developer candidate resumes with Java skills.”

However, Google X-Ray provides tools to search for web developer resumes that mention Java skills, years of experience and supervisory experience.

How to use Google X-Ray

Recruiters can use Google X-Ray easily by typing all queries directly into the search bar. The search engine scans Google’s knowledge base to find the results.

The benefits of Google X-Ray for recruiting and hiring

With Google X-Ray searches, you can:

• Find resumes that may include more specific qualifications and skills related to your open role

• Return only results related to portfolios or resume documents

• Locate specific information, such as contact details

• Source candidates from a specific state or city

• Limit results to documents that have been updated recently

What are Boolean operators and how can you use them?

Boolean operators are specific words and punctuation used in a search query to communicate what you want. They’re based on the concept of Boolean logic, an algebraic system that determines information based on two values: true or false.

For example, in Boolean logic, when you use the term “and,” you indicate everything in a serial list is true. If an employer says they want a worker who excels in project management, ideation and copyediting, they want a candidate with all three skills. In contrast, the Boolean term “or” is less restrictive. If someone says they want project management, ideation or copyediting skills, they may accept any one or combination of the three skills.

List of basic and advanced Boolean operators

The same concepts that apply to logic and how Boolean terms are used in everyday language also apply to search. Here are some examples of basic and advanced Boolean operators and how they can direct your search:

• And: signals you want results that include two or more phrases.

• Or: signals you want results with any of the phrases.

• Not or “-“: signals you want to exclude results with certain phrases.

• site: signals you want to return results from a specific domain.

• intitle: signals you want to search the titles on pages for specific phrases.

• inurl: signals you want results that include phrases in the URL.

• filetype: signals you want results from specific formats.

• daterange: signals you want to see pages or documents created or last updated during a specific date range.

You can also include punctuation and special characters to increase search efficiency. Use brackets to make complex queries clearer, quotation marks to indicate you want an exact match to your key phrases and an asterisk to act as a wild card.

Examples of Google X-ray recruiting searches

To understand how Boolean search can help with recruiting processes, consider the following Google X-Ray example searches and what they’re designed to return:

• “web developer” and “Java”: This query returns results where both terms are present exactly how you typed them. If a resume has the term web development rather than web developer, it would not appear in the results.

• web dev*: This query returns documents containing any form of the term web dev*, which could include web developer, web development or web dev.

• marketing manager intitle: resume: This query looks for documents with “resume” in the title and the term marketing manager in the document. Using intitle: queries can help you search for specific types of documents, such as CVs or resumes.

• executive secretary certification filetype: PDF intitle: resume: This query searches for documents that include any version of the words “executive,” “secretary” and “certification.” It also only returns results that are formatted as a PDF and include the term resume in the title.

• sales representative intitle: resume daterange: 20150101-20200101: This query returns results where the word resume is in the title, some variation on the term sales representative is in the document and the page or document was created between 1/1/2015 and 1/1/2020.

You can use Boolean search terms to narrow results by including brackets. Consider the advanced search below:

(intitle: resume OR intitle: CV) “licensed practical nurse” pediatric -job -jobs -examples -samples

This search requests the following:

• Return only documents with resume or CV in the title.

• The documents must have the term “licensed practical nurse” exactly.

• You also want to see documents with some version of the term “pediatrics.”

• You don’t want to see results that include words such as “job,” “jobs,” “examples” or “samples.”

The purpose of this query would be to find LPN resumes for candidates with some experience in pediatrics without sorting through pages of LPN pediatric job listings, resume examples or job listing samples.

Start using Google X-Ray today

Create Boolean search terms when you conduct your next recruiting search to find and connect with viable candidates for your position.

Frequently asked questions about Google X-Ray

Can you use Google X-Ray searches outside of Google?

Yes, you can use Boolean search terms outside of Google. They typically work with any database that allows Boolean logic in queries. Most major search engines allow some level of Boolean search. You may also use Boolean search terms in non-search engine databases.

Why is it called Google X-Ray?

This use of Boolean terms to find specific results is referred to as X-Ray because it lets you “X-Ray” a site without looking through all the pages. You can look through the outer layers of a site, such as the homepage and navigation menu, to find specific pages and documents that match your search.

Does Boolean search always work?

No, Boolean search doesn’t work if it’s not supported by the search engine or database you’re using it with. You can also run into problems where your Boolean search works, but you inadvertently exclude relevant results. For example, if you use negative search terms to exclude phrases such as “job,” you won’t see any resumes that include the term “job.”