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Writer's pictureLê Huy Trần

Boolean 101 Part 2: A GPT Quick Fix for Recruiters

Welcome to the second part of our journey into the world of Boolean searches for recruitment. Drawing on my extensive experience in utilizing Boolean strings to search for potential candidates, I have created a custom ChatGPT that revolutionizes the way recruiters find talent.


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An 8-bit video game style abstract representation of modern recruitment. The image features pixelated graphics, reminiscent of classic video games, with a digital recruiter character composed of simple, colorful pixels. The background includes pixel art of Boolean search strings and candidate profiles, all in vibrant 8-bit style. The scene is filled with retro gaming elements, combining a nostalgic video game aesthetic with the theme of advanced recruitment technology, creating a unique and playful visual interpretation of talent acquisition in the digital age.
The dynamic interplay between AI technology and human creativity in recruitment. Image: DALL-E3

Under the Hood

(Skip this section if you don't need the technical details)


The heart of this custom GPT is a distilled formula, combining years of knowledge and experience. This formula follows a specific structure:


[site:domain] + [Roles] + [Must have skills] + [Optional skills] + [Industry] + [Location] + [Keywords to exclude]


An example of this in action would be:


site:vn.linkedin.com/in/ ("Marketing Specialist" OR "Communications Officer" OR "PR Coordinator") AND ("Digital Marketing" AND "Content") AND ("social media" OR "SEO" OR "Email Marketing") AND ("education" OR "education industry") AND "Hanoi" -"Senior" -"Director" -"C-level" -"Finance" -"IT Manager"

The sample Boolean string above is intricately designed to target candidates for a PR Marketing Leader position, focusing on specific skills, industries, and locations while excluding certain senior roles. This strategic selection ensures that the search aligns perfectly with the job description, increasing the likelihood of finding the ideal candidate.


Let's break it down to understand how it targets the ideal candidates:


  1. Roles (Marketing Specialist, Communications Officer, PR Coordinator): This part of the string searches for profiles with these specific job titles. These roles are closely related to the PR Marketing Leader position, indicating that the candidate has relevant experience.

  2. Must-Have Skills (Digital Marketing, Content): The AND operator ensures that only profiles containing both 'Digital Marketing' and 'Content' are included. This aligns with the JD's requirements for content creation and digital marketing proficiency.

  3. Optional Skills (social media, SEO, Email Marketing): The OR operator widens the search to include candidates with any of these skills, matching the JD's need for social media management, SEO knowledge, and email marketing skills.

  4. Industry (education or education industry): This part targets candidates with experience in the education sector, as preferred in the JD.

  5. Location ("Hanoi"): Specifies the geographical location of the candidates.

  6. Exclusions (-"Senior" -"Director" -"C-level" -"Finance" -"IT Manager"): The NOT operator (represented by '-') excludes candidates with these titles or in these fields, refining the search to avoid overqualified candidates or those from unrelated industries.

Crucially, we are mindful of the 32-word limit imposed by search engines to ensure high accuracy. And while you're here, check out our guide on advanced Boolean operators and search string crafting techniques in the previous part here: Boolean 101: A Recruiter’s Guide to Candidate Sourcing


The "Tree of Thoughts"

This GPT also incorporates a unique "Tree of Thoughts" method, enhancing its ability to break down complex processes into understandable segments, thereby improving result synthesis. Here's how it's employed:

  1. Dissect and Analyze Information: The method starts by breaking down the job description into its fundamental components – roles, skills, experience, industry, and location. Each element is carefully analyzed to understand its relevance and importance to the position.

  2. Generate and Assess Intermediate Ideas: For each component, various Boolean strings are formulated (intermediate ideas). These strings are then assessed for their potential effectiveness in isolating suitable candidate profiles. The process involves considering the inclusiveness or exclusiveness of each string and its alignment with the job requirements.

  3. Construct a Well-Reasoned, Explanatory Response: The final step involves synthesizing the most effective Boolean strings into a comprehensive search query. This query is not just a random combination of keywords but a well-reasoned, strategic assembly that maximizes the chances of finding the most suitable candidates. The rationale behind each part of the string is clearly explained, ensuring transparency and understanding of how the final search query targets the ideal candidates as per the job description.


TL;DR

Imagine you have a puzzle (the job description) and you need to find the right pieces (candidates). The "Tree of Thoughts" method is like having a map that helps you look for these puzzle pieces in the right places. First, you understand what pieces you need (analyzing the job description). Then, you think of the best ways to find these pieces (creating Boolean strings). Finally, you put these ideas together to form a map (a well-crafted search query) that guides you to the right puzzle pieces (candidates).


An old school 8-bit video game style representation of the 'Tree of Thoughts' concept. The image features a pixelated tree with branches, each branch representing different reasoning paths in a retro video game aesthetic. The branches have elements symbolizing steps in the thought process, such as breaking down information, generating thoughts, and synthesizing insights. The background and overall design reflect the charm and simplicity of classic 8-bit video games.
The "Tree of Thoughts" method is like having a map that helps you look for these puzzle pieces in the right places. Image: DALL-E3

How to Use It

There are two ways to utilize this tool:

  1. Access the CustomGPT here: https://chat.openai.com/g/g-Ddy80WkvM-booleangpt

  2. Alternatively, if you're not a ChatGPT Plus user, use the following prompt in ChatGPT to craft your Boolean string by:

  • Copy and Paste Method: You can copy and paste the provided prompt into every new chat instance with ChatGPT. This method is straightforward and ensures that you're consistently using the most effective Boolean strings for your searches.

  • Custom Instructions Box: For a more streamlined approach, you can input the prompt into your 'custom instructions' box in ChatGPT. This method allows for a more personalized and tailored experience, ensuring that the GPT is aligned with your specific recruitment needs each time you use it.


Step 1: Click on your username and then on "Custom instructions".

Step 2: Copy my prompt into the "How would you like ChatGPT to respond?" box and then click "Save". You are good to go!

BOOLEAN GPT PROMPT (Click to expand)


Finding The Sweet Spot: Quality vs. Quantity

Recruitment is an art that balances precision and volume. In my years of experience, I've found what I call the 'Goldilocks Zone' in Boolean searches - not too broad, not too narrow, but just right. This zone typically yields a candidate pool ranging from 500 to 50, striking the perfect balance between quality and quantity.


But remember, recruitment is not one-size-fits-all. The 'Goldilocks Zone' varies based on industry, role, and location. Here’s how you can find yours:

  1. Start with a Broad Scope: Begin with a wider search. Monitor the number and relevance of the candidates.

  2. Refine Gradually: Based on initial results, start refining your Boolean strings. Add or remove keywords to adjust the candidate pool size.

  3. Quality Check: Regularly evaluate the suitability of candidates. Are they aligning with the job requirements?

  4. Iterate: Boolean search is iterative. Based on feedback and results, tweak your search strings.

  5. Record and Analyze: Keep track of changes and results. This data will help you understand your unique 'Goldilocks Zone'.

Remember, the goal is to find a sweet spot where each candidate is a potential fit - saving you time and increasing recruitment efficiency.


Sneak Peek

I am also developing another CustomGPT (called Structured Tiered Approach for Recruitment Scoring or S.T.A.R.S for short) capable of assessing a candidate's suitability for a position with remarkable accuracy. This tool can provide a match percentage and suggest next steps in the recruitment process. Stay tuned!


The Future of Recruitment: AI-Enhanced Precision Meets Human Insight

The integration of GPT into recruitment practices marks a new era in talent acquisition. With this part 2 of the Boolean 101 series, we've only scratched the surface of what's possible. As we continue to refine these tools, recruiters will be equipped with unprecedented precision in candidate searches.


But technology is only part of the equation. The recruiter's insight, experience, and intuition are irreplaceable. The future lies in the harmony between AI-driven efficiency and human-driven insights.


Stay tuned as we delve further into this exciting convergence of technology and human expertise in recruitment. Together, let's shape a future where talent acquisition is not just efficient, but also intuitive and human-centric.


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