LinkedIn is a great resource for connecting with professionals, networking, and finding job opportunities. With over 700 million members worldwide, chances are high that you can find the person you are looking for on LinkedIn.
Searching for someone by name and company on LinkedIn can help you connect with colleagues, peers, potential clients, and prospective employees. Here are some tips on how to find someone on LinkedIn when you know their name and where they work.
Use the LinkedIn Search Bar
The easiest way to find someone on LinkedIn is to use the search bar at the top of the homepage. Simply type in the person’s full name and their company name. For example, you would enter “John Smith Acme Inc.” The search will scan LinkedIn profiles, jobs, companies, groups, schools, and more. It will provide a list of results for profiles matching that name and company.
If your search immediately brings up the profile you are looking for, great! If not, you may need to filter the results and do some sleuthing to find the right person.
Narrow Down Search Filters
If your initial search returns too many results, use the filters on the left side of the page to narrow it down. You can filter by:
- Location – Search by city, state, or country
- Current company – Select the company name
- Industry – Choose an industry like tech, finance, healthcare etc.
- Past company – Pick companies they have worked for previously
- School – Select a university or school they attended
Applying several filters will narrow the results significantly, making it easier to find the exact person you are searching for.
Browse Their Connections and Groups
If you still can’t pinpoint the right profile, look at 2nd and 3rd degree connections to find shared contacts. You may discover the person you seek is connected to someone you know. This can confirm you have the right profile.
Also look at the groups the profile belongs to. If you see groups for a specific company or industry, it provides clues you are on the right track.
Do a Boolean Search
Boolean search techniques allow you to combine keywords and operators to conduct a focused search. The main operators are:
- AND – Results must contain both terms
- OR – Results can contain either term
- NOT – Results exclude a term
- ” ” – Search for an exact phrase
Some examples of Boolean searches on LinkedIn:
- John Smith AND Acme Inc.
- John Smith OR Acme Inc.
- John Smith NOT Chicago
- “John Smith” product manager
Think about keywords, job titles, locations, employers, schools, and skills to build an effective Boolean search query.
Still Can’t Find Them?
If you still can’t find the person through searching, they may not have a LinkedIn profile. Some other options are:
- Search their company website for a bio or contact info
- Look up their work email address via tools like RocketReach or MailTester
- Search Google for pages they may have authored
- Check their social media profiles like Twitter, Facebook, etc.
- Ask a mutual contact for an introduction
Send A Connection Request
Once you’ve located the right profile, go ahead and send them a personalized connection request. Mention how you found them or why you want to connect. Highlight any shared connections, groups, employers or interests.
For example:
“Hi John, I noticed we are both members of the Digital Marketing Association. I would love to connect with fellow marketing professionals. Looking forward to networking with you!”
People are more likely to accept your request if you personalize it with a specific message versus a generic invite. Follow up if they don’t respond after a couple weeks.
Next Steps After Connecting
After connecting on LinkedIn, consider reaching out to:
- Learn more about their career and background
- Collaborate on projects or share ideas
- Network at industry events
- Discuss job opportunities
- Connect them with someone in your network
Build the relationship by engaging with their content. Like and comment on posts to establish a connection.
Key Takeaways
Finding someone on LinkedIn by name and company takes some detective work, but is very achievable. Key tips include:
- Use the search bar with their full name and company
- Narrow results through search filters
- Look at shared connections and groups
- Try Boolean search operators
- Personalize your connection request
LinkedIn is the ideal platform for connecting with professionals in your industry. Follow these best practices to track down and contact the right people to help grow your career and network.
Search Filter | Example |
---|---|
Location | Chicago, IL |
Current Company | Acme Inc. |
Industry | Technology |
Past Company | XYZ Corp. |
School | Stanford University |
Boolean Operator | Example |
---|---|
AND | John AND Smith |
OR | Marketing OR Sales |
NOT | Engineer NOT Software |
” “ | “Social Media Manager” |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I find someone on LinkedIn with limited information?
It is possible to find someone with limited info like only a name or company, but additional details like location, job title, school, etc. will make searching easier. The more filters you can apply, the higher the chance you locate the right profile.
What if I think someone has a profile, but I can’t find it searching?
If you can’t find someone you think is on LinkedIn, they may have a private profile, an alternate name, or no profile at all. Look for clues on company sites, digital footprints, and social media. Ask contacts who know them for information or an introduction.
What is the benefit of connecting with someone on LinkedIn?
The top benefits of connecting on LinkedIn are networking, career opportunities, business development, leads and referrals, advice and insights, collaboration, and finding mentors or mentees. It allows you to tap into your extended network.
How do I write a good connection request message?
Make your request personal by mentioning shared connections, interests, employers, or groups. Explain why you want to connect rather than just saying “Let’s connect!” Customize each request to show you looked at their profile.
How can I engage with new LinkedIn connections?
Ways to engage new connections include commenting on posts, liking and sharing content, sending direct messages, mentioning them in your posts if relevant, asking thoughtful questions about their work and interests, and introducing them to others in your network.
Conclusion
Finding someone by name and company on LinkedIn simply takes a few extra search steps. Use all the targeting tools possible and scour profiles for clues to track down the right individual. Send a personalized request explaining why you want to connect. Nurture the relationship by actively engaging with your new contacts. LinkedIn is the premier social network for professional networking, career growth, and business opportunities.