Searching for jobs or internships on LinkedIn can feel overwhelming, especially when results do not quite match what you are looking for. Boolean searches are a simple way to take more control of your results using keywords like AND, OR, and NOT.
You do not need to use Boolean searches all the time, but they can be especially helpful when job titles vary, roles overlap, or you want to avoid certain types of positions. Below are three entry-level examples using creative arts, media, and marketing fields to help you get started.
(Decorative image to the left. Picture of a mobile phone that opened the LinkedIn app and has the option to join now or sign in.)
Example 1: Marketing Roles That Are Not Sales-Focused
Scenario:
You are interested in marketing, but you want to avoid roles that are primarily sales-based.
LinkedIn does not offer a filter to exclude sales roles, but Boolean search allows you to remove them directly.
Example search: Marketing NOT Sales
This helps narrow your results to marketing roles that focus more on:
- Content creation
- Social media
- Branding
- Communications
- Strategy
After running the search, you can add LinkedIn filters such as location, experience level, job type, or industry to further refine your results.
Example 2: Creative Arts Roles When Job Titles Vary
Scenario:
You are interested in creative work, but you notice that similar roles use different job titles across organizations.
Using OR allows you to search for multiple titles at once.
Example search: (“Graphic Design” OR “Visual Design” OR “Creative Assistant”)
This approach helps you:
- Capture a wider range of creative opportunities
- Avoid missing roles due to title differences
- Explore entry-level creative positions more effectively
This strategy is especially useful in creative fields where job titles are not always consistent.
Example 3: Media or Marketing Internships Based on Specific Interests
Scenario:
You want a media or marketing internship focused on social media and content creation, not analytics or paid advertising.
Boolean searches allow you to highlight what you want while filtering out what you do not.
Example search: Marketing AND (“Social Media” OR “Content Creation”) NOT Analytics
This search is more likely to surface internships focused on:
- Social platforms
- Writing and storytelling
- Digital and visual content
- Audience engagement
It is a great option for students who want hands-on creative experience at the entry level.
Boolean Searches Are Useful for Networking Too
These same strategies can be used to find alumni, professionals, or creatives working in industries or roles you are interested in. Boolean searches are not just for job postings and can be a helpful tool for networking on LinkedIn as well.
Want More Help?
If you would like support using Boolean searches, building job or internship strategies, or navigating LinkedIn more confidently, connect with the Career Center.
We offer drop-ins and appointments to help you explore career paths, refine your search strategies, and strengthen your networking approach.
Also, LinkedIn explains the Boolean Search in further detail in this article.
Happy networking and job/internship searching!
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AI Assistance: Portions of this resource were developed with support from ChatGPT, an AI language model by OpenAI, used to help synthesize research, generate summaries, and refine formatting. All final content was reviewed and customized for Binghamton University students.
