Yes, there are several ways to find contacts on LinkedIn. LinkedIn provides powerful search and discovery tools that make it easy to connect with other professionals on the platform.
Searching for Contacts by Name
The most straightforward way to find someone on LinkedIn is to search for them by name. Just type the full name into the main search bar at the top of LinkedIn’s homepage. If you only know part of someone’s name, you can try entering just the first name or last name.
LinkedIn will display a list of people matching your search query. You can scroll through the results and click on profiles to view them. If you see the person you’re looking for, you can connect by clicking the “Connect” button on their profile.
Searching Within Your Network
If you want to see if someone you know is on LinkedIn, go to the “My Network” section under the “Network” tab. Here you’ll see your 1st-degree connections along with 2nd and 3rd-degree connections.
Use the search bar in this section to search for contacts. LinkedIn will show you if someone matching the name is within your network and how you’re connected to them.
Using the “People Also Viewed” Section
When viewing someone’s profile, scroll down to the “People Also Viewed” section. This shows other LinkedIn members who are in some way related to the person whose profile you’re viewing.
For example, if you’re viewing the profile of a sales manager at a technology company, you might see profiles of other sales leaders and employees of that company. The “People Also Viewed” section is a great way to discover new contacts.
Searching by Company or School
You can enter a company or school name into the main LinkedIn search bar to find people who work at that company or attended that school. On the results page, use the filters on the left side to narrow down based on location, industry, job function, and more.
This method works well when you want to connect with professionals in your industry or alumni from your university. Try searching for your own employer or university to connect with coworkers or fellow alumni.
Using LinkedIn’s Advanced Search
For precise searches, use LinkedIn’s advanced search located at the top right of the homepage. Advanced search allows you to combine several search parameters such as location, industry, job title, company, school, skills, and more.
For example, you could search for marketing managers at technology companies located in San Francisco who attended UC Berkeley. The advanced search gives you maximum flexibility in finding the right contacts.
Searching through Groups
Join relevant LinkedIn groups in your industry or with connections to your alma mater. Once you’ve joined groups, you can search through the member list to find new contacts to connect with.
Group members often have valuable insights and niche expertise. Connecting with group members allows you to tap into each group’s unique perspective and build relationships with engaged professionals.
Connecting with Contacts of Your Connections
Sometimes the most effective way to grow your network is to connect with the contacts of your existing connections. You can see 2nd-degree connections in a few places:
- On your connections’ profiles under “People Also Viewed”
- When viewing your Network, change the drop-down from “1st” to “2nd”
- On the right rail when viewing your connections
Study these 2nd-degree connections carefully because they essentially come endorsed through your shared connection. Send 2nd-degree connections InMail messages to introduce yourself and ask to connect.
Connecting At In-Person Events
Attending conferences, trade shows, meetups, and other industry events allows you to meet potential contacts face-to-face. If you meet someone relevant, request to connect with them on LinkedIn while the conversation is fresh.
You can also look up which LinkedIn members are registered for an upcoming event. Reach out to them prior to the event to set up a meeting or connect once you’re there.
Using LinkedIn’s Lead Recommendations
LinkedIn’s Sales Navigator premium tool provides lead recommendations tailored to you. Sales Navigator analyzes your profile and activity to suggest new leads based on criteria like location, job role, industry, skills, and more.
Review the recommended leads. If any seem like a good fit for your network, reach out to them through InMail messages to establish a connection.
InMail
With LinkedIn’s InMail messaging feature, you can directly contact any LinkedIn member, even if you’re not connected. InMail messages bypass the inbox and are typically answered at a high rate.
InMail is great for reaching out to executives and decision makers you want in your network. Take a customized approach in your messages to increase the likelihood of a response.
Following Companies
Follow companies you’re interested in connecting with on LinkedIn. This allows you to see their employees in your feed and get notified when they post new jobs.
Once you’re following a company, you can more easily discover and connect with their employees. Focus on employees with job titles and backgrounds where a connection could be mutually beneficial.
Hashtags
Monitor LinkedIn hashtags related to your industry and interests. Engage with top posts by liking, commenting, and sharing. Then check out who else is actively engaging with those hashtags.
These are professionals who share your passions and interests. Consider reaching out to mutually connect and continue the conversation.
Conclusion
LinkedIn provides numerous effective ways to find and connect with relevant contacts. Take advantage of LinkedIn’s powerful search tools, join Groups, follow Companies, and use features like InMail to proactively grow your professional network.
The most successful LinkedIn users actively search for ideal contacts and take a personalized approach in reaching out. Focus on quality over quantity and continually expand your network with professionals who can help you advance your career and business goals.
| Method | How It Works |
|---|---|
| Search by name | Type a name into LinkedIn’s search bar to find matching profiles |
| Search your network | Use the search bar under the “My Network” section to find connections |
| “People Also Viewed” | View related profiles in the “People Also Viewed” section of profiles |
| Search by company or school | Search for people affiliated with specific companies or schools |
| Advanced search | Combine multiple parameters like title, location, skills to refine search results |
| Groups | Join Groups then search member lists to find contacts |
| 2nd-degree connections | Connect with 2nd-degree connections of your connections |
| In-person events | Meet people at conferences, trade shows, etc. and connect |
| Lead recommendations | Use Sales Navigator’s lead recommendations to discover contacts |
| InMail | Directly contact LinkedIn members, even if not connected |
| Following companies | Follow companies to see their employees to connect with |
| Hashtags | Engage with hashtags to find professionals with shared interests |
Key Takeaways
- Leverage LinkedIn’s powerful search features like advanced search to find contacts by name, company, title, skills, and more
- Use networking tools like Groups and events to discover contacts
- Focus on quality over quantity – seek out contacts who can add value
- Take a personalized approach when reaching out to engage contacts