Yes, it is possible to search for LinkedIn members by their previous employer. LinkedIn’s advanced search allows you to search for members who list a specific company as a past employer. This can be a useful way to find former coworkers, reconnect with previous professional contacts, or identify candidates with experience at a certain organization.
When searching LinkedIn by previous employer, you will get profiles of members who have worked for that company at some point in their career, even if they no longer work there currently. Their work history will show when they were employed at that organization. This gives you an overview of the alumni network from a given company.
Why Search by Previous Employer?
There are several reasons why you may want to conduct a LinkedIn search filtered by previous employer:
Reconnect with Former Coworkers
Searching for those who list your previous employer makes it easy to get back in touch with former colleagues. You can reconnect with coworkers you enjoyed working with or who were valuable contacts. Especially if you have changed jobs, searching by employer lets you find team members who have since moved on.
Perform Competitive Research
Looking up people by their past employer enables research on talent at competitor companies. For example, if you work for Company A, you could search for those with previous experience at Company B to get insight into Company B’s organizational structure, talent pool, and workplace culture. This can provide valuable intelligence on the competition.
Source Candidates from Desired Companies
When hiring, searching for candidates by the companies they worked for previously allows you to source talent from organizations known for certain skills or experience. If there is another employer that you consider a feeder for top talent in your industry, you can specifically target candidates from that company.
Identify Shared Connections
If you need to reach out to someone you don’t know at a certain company, you may be able to find a shared connection by looking for mutual connections among those who used to work at that employer. The shared connection can then provide a warm introduction.
How to Search LinkedIn by Previous Company
LinkedIn’s advanced search function provides a few different options for searching by previous employer. Here are step-by-step instructions:
Search by Past Company Field
1. Go to LinkedIn and click on the search bar at the top of your homepage.
2. Type the name of the company you want to search for into the search bar. For example, “XYZ Company.”
3. Click on the People filter directly underneath the search bar.
4. Next to the Past Companies filter on the left side, type the name of the company again.
5. Hit enter and your results will be filtered to show only those who have listed that company as a past employer.
Search Within Company Page
1. Go to the LinkedIn page of the company you want to search within. You can type the company name in the search bar and click on its page from the results.
2. Click on the See alumni button on the company’s LinkedIn page under Career Pages on the right rail.
3. This will take you to a directory of LinkedIn members who list that company as a past employer. You can narrow your search using filters for location, industry, school attended, and more.
Boolean Search Operator
1. Go to the LinkedIn search bar and type the following:
Previous company: “Company Name”
2. Replace “Company Name” with the name of the employer you want to search for, using quotation marks around the full name.
3. This will return profiles of members who list that specific company as a past employer per their work experience section.
Tips for Effective Searching
To get the best results when searching LinkedIn by previous employer, keep these tips in mind:
Use Quotation Marks Around the Company Name
Make sure to use quotation marks around the full company name. This ensures you are searching for an exact phrase match. Without quotes, you may get results mentioning the company name in another context.
Check Name Variations
Consider alternate spellings or abbreviations of the company name. For example, International Business Machines vs. IBM. Search for nicknames or shorthand versions commonly associated with that employer.
Personalize Invites When Reaching Out
If contacting former coworkers for the first time in awhile, customize your LinkedIn invite or InMail message. Remind them where they know you from and why you want to reconnect.
Refine with Additional Filters
Narrow your previous company search using filters for location, industry, job function, seniority level, and time period. This helps drill down to the most relevant profiles.
Export Your Search Results
To save a list of contacts to follow up with later, use the Export LinkedIn Connections feature. You can export up to 1,000 profiles and their contact information as a CSV file.
Limitations
While searching by previous employer on LinkedIn can provide useful professional contacts, there are some limitations to note:
Profiles May Be Outdated
Members do not always update their LinkedIn profiles when they change jobs. Some connections surface through this search may still work for that past company. Do some extra research to confirm their current role and employer.
Results Depend on Accuracy
You will only get results for those who have completely and accurately listed their work experience on their profiles. Some members choose not to list certain past companies or make other errors in employment history.
Some Profiles Are Not Public
Your search will mostly turn up 2nd and 3rd degree connections, unless you are searching within your own company. Some profiles may be private or visible only to direct connections, limiting your results.
Outdated Contacts
When reconnect with dormant contacts from a past job, beware that their information may be outdated. Do some extra vetting to make sure they are still the right contact for your purpose.
Employer Spellings Differ
Differences in abbreviations, spacing, capitalization, and other stylistic differences in how past employers are listed could prevent some profiles from surfacing. Cast a wide net with your initial searches.
Summary
LinkedIn’s advanced search provides a simple way to find profiles based on shared past employers. This opens up various networking, recruiting, and competitive research opportunities. However, results depend on members keeping their work history updated. Approach connections surfaced through previous company searches as introductory leads for further qualifying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you search for someone’s previous employers on LinkedIn?
Yes, LinkedIn’s advanced search allows you to filter results by past company. You can search for members who have worked for a certain organization previously using employer name filters and Boolean search operators.
How do I find old coworkers on LinkedIn?
An easy way to find old coworkers is by searching for their previous shared employer in LinkedIn’s filters. See who else lists the same past company on their profile to surface former colleagues. You can also search by specific colleagues’ names you wish to reconnect with.
Is there a way to see a list of people who left a company on LinkedIn?
LinkedIn does not have a designated report showing employees who have left a company. However, you can search for a company and filter by its alumni to see profiles of members who list that as a past employer. This provides a view into the company’s former employee base.
Can I export my previous company search results from LinkedIn?
Yes, you can export up to 1,000 LinkedIn profiles from a previous company search as a CSV file. Use the Export LinkedIn Connections option to save the results list for further follow up and outreach.
Is searching by previous company free on LinkedIn?
LinkedIn’s advanced search filters for previous employer are available free to all members. You do not need a premium LinkedIn account to search for members by past company. However, some profile data may be limited without a premium account.
Conclusion
Searching LinkedIn by previous employer offers a targeted way to discover new connections based on shared professional experiences. Take advantage of LinkedIn’s alumni search features and Boolean operators to surface relevant contacts. Just be aware of limitations like outdated profiles. With the right search techniques, you can unlock new networking and recruiting opportunities.
