LinkedIn is a great tool for networking and making professional connections. With over 722 million members worldwide, chances are you are connected to people working in a wide variety of industries on LinkedIn.
Being able to search your LinkedIn connections by their industry can be very useful. You may want to connect with people in a specific industry to ask for advice, get introduced to new contacts, or learn more about that field. Or you may need to find connections working in a certain industry for a project or job opportunity.
Fortunately, LinkedIn makes it easy to search your connections by industry. Here are step-by-step instructions on how to search your LinkedIn connections by industry.
From the LinkedIn Website
If you are using LinkedIn on a desktop or laptop, here is how to search your connections by industry:
- Go to www.linkedin.com and log into your account.
- Click on the “My Network” icon at the top of your LinkedIn homepage.
- Next click on “Manage my network” from the dropdown menu.
- On the “Manage my network” page, click on “Contacts” in the left sidebar.
- In the top menu bar, click on the “Filters” button.
- Select “Industry” from the dropdown menu.
- Start typing the name of the industry you want to search for. Industry options will auto-populate below. Select the industry you want to search.
- You will now see a list of your 1st-degree connections who work in that industry. Their current job titles and companies are also displayed.
- To refine your search further, you can filter by location, company, school attended, and more using the filters on the left sidebar.
Following these steps allows you to easily search your LinkedIn network and identify contacts who work in a specific industry. You can then connect with them or browse their profiles as needed.
From the Mobile App
If you are using the LinkedIn mobile app, here is how to search your connections by industry:
- Open the LinkedIn app on your mobile device.
- Tap on the “My Network” icon at the bottom of the screen.
- Next tap on “Manage my network” from the options displayed.
- On the “Manage my network” screen, tap on “Contacts” at the top of the screen.
- Tap on the filter icon at the top right of the screen.
- Select “Industry” from the list of filters.
- Type the name of the industry you want to search. Industry suggestions will appear below. Tap the industry you want.
- You will now see a list of your connections in that industry. Tap on any connection to view their full profile.
- Use the additional filters on the left to refine your search further if needed.
The LinkedIn mobile app makes it quick and easy to search your network by industry in just a few taps. This allows you to identify and connect with relevant industry contacts right from your phone.
Advanced Search
For even more powerful searching, you can use LinkedIn’s advanced search feature. Here is how to use advanced search to find connections by industry:
- Go to www.linkedin.com and log in.
- Click on the search bar at the top of your homepage.
- Type “connections” in the search bar and select “Connections” from the dropdown.
- On the connections search page, click on “All filters” to expand the filter options.
- Under “Current Company,” check the box for “Industry.” Start typing the desired industry and select it when it appears.
- You can also add additional filters like Location, Past Company, School, Job Function, etc. based on your specific search needs.
- When ready, click “Apply” to view the filtered results.
LinkedIn’s advanced search gives you maximum flexibility to combine filters and zero in on the exact connections you need. While it takes a few more steps, the powerful results make it worth the effort.
Searching Shared Connections
In addition to searching your own connections, you can also search the connections shared between you and another LinkedIn member. Here is how:
- Go to the profile of the person you want to search shared connections with.
- In the “More” section under their profile photo, click on “See all shared connections.”
- On the “Shared Connections” page, click “Filters” at the top.
- Select “Industry” and choose the desired industry from the list.
- View the list of connections you both share who work in that industry.
- Use the filters on the left to refine the results based on location, current company, and more.
Searching your shared connections’ industries enables you to identify contacts you and another person both know in a specific field. This can be extremely valuable for networking and making new industry introductions.
Exporting Your Search Results
To save and reference your connections industry search results later, you can export them:
- After completing your industry search, click the “Save” button near the top right of the page.
- Select “Save as CSV” from the dropdown menu.
- Your browser will automatically download a CSV file containing your connections’ names, positions, companies, locations, and other data.
- You can open this CSV file at any time in spreadsheet software like Excel.
Exporting your search results gives you an easy way to save a snapshot of your connections in an industry to reference later on. The CSV file is portable and shareable.
Useful Things to Do with Industry Search Results
Once you’ve searched your LinkedIn connections by industry, here are some useful things you can do with the results:
- Message or email relevant connections to set up informational interviews about their industry.
- Join industry-specific LinkedIn Groups that your connections are members of.
- Follow companies in that industry that your connections work for to see their latest updates.
- Look for open job listings at companies where you have existing connections.
- Identify potential clients, partners, or vendors for business development.
- Find speakers, panelists, or influencers in the industry for events.
- Research companies you’re interested in by looking at all your connections who work there.
Industry searches enable you to tap into the power of your network and uncover a wealth of helpful information.
Tips for Effective Industry Searches
Follow these tips to get the most out of searching your LinkedIn connections by industry:
- Keep your profile updated – Connections can only be indexed and searchable if their profile information is current.
- Customize your searches – Combine industry with location, company, job title, school, and other filters.
- Try different keyword variations – For example, “Information Technology” vs. “IT” vs. “Tech.”
- Look beyond 1st-degree connections – 2nd and 3rd degree connections can be invaluable as well.
- Send personalized InMail messages – Mass messaging is often ignored, so personalize your outreach.
- Follow up consistently – Connecting takes persistence, so don’t just message once and wait.
Taking advantage of all LinkedIn’s search features and consistently following up will lead to more productive connections.
FAQs
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about searching LinkedIn connections by industry:
What if a connection’s industry isn’t listed on their profile?
If a connection does not have their industry listed on their profile, they will not show up in industry search results. Encourage connections to add their industry to their profile in the experience or background section.
Are 2nd and 3rd degree connections included in searches?
Yes, you can expand your searches to include 2nd and 3rd degree connections. The higher the degree, the larger your search network will be.
Can I save a specific connections search to reuse later?
Yes, LinkedIn allows you to save customized searches. After running a search, click “Save search” at the top. Give it a name and access your saved searches anytime.
Is there a limit to how many filters I can use at once?
No, there is no limit to the number of filters you can apply to a LinkedIn search. Add as many filters as you’d like to refine the results.
Are industry searches only available on premium LinkedIn accounts?
No, the ability to search connections by industry is included with all LinkedIn account types, including free accounts.
Conclusion
Searching LinkedIn connections by industry is a valuable tool to tap into your network and make meaningful connections. Whether you need advice, business leads, or introductions, targeted industry searches deliver helpful results.
Use LinkedIn’s website, mobile app, or advanced search to filter your connections. Try searching shared connections and exporting results. Most importantly, reach out and engage with relevant connections in your targeted industries.
With over 722 million members, LinkedIn is a goldmine of professional connections. Take advantage of industry search features to uncover the right connections to further your career or business goals.