Each search engine is unique so review the help section on each of the search engines to determine what Boolean operators are supported.

Boolean Key

AND - The AND operator delivers results with the terms you requested. For example, searching resume and j2ee will return pages with both terms - resume and j2ee.

OR - The OR operator delivers results with either of the terms you requested. For example, MCSE OR M.C.S.E.

NOT - The NOT operator will not deliver certain words in your search results. For example, Java NOT coffee will deliver closer results for JAVA Programmers and not Java Coffee. 

NEAR - The NEAR operator locates words that are located in close proximity to other words. For example, Java NEAR Programmer. Not every search engine supports this operator.

( ) Parentheses - The ( ) operator allows you to group terms and build longer search strings. For example, NOT (submit AND employer) will avoid pages with both names.

* - The * operator is a wildcard. Adding a wildcard will find words containing the wildcard. For example program* will help so you do not have to run separate searches for words similar like: programmer, programming, program

Example of Complex Search String

resume AND (java or j2ee) AND program* AND (Virginia or VA or 703) AND NOT (apply or submit or jobs)

* In some case we recommend to go to the advanced search option within the search engine.

[1] Search Engine Quick Guide 

Definitions:

X-Raying - searches for pages that are all on the same host.

Flipping - searches for pages that link to a specific page.

Page Title - searches for pages that has specific words in page title.

URL Search - searches for pages that has specific words in the URL or web address.