LinkedIn groups are an excellent way to connect with like-minded professionals, share ideas and insights, and expand your network. With over 2 million groups on LinkedIn, there are abundant opportunities to get involved in vibrant online communities relevant to your interests and goals.
But with so many groups to choose from, how do you find the right ones that will truly add value to your LinkedIn experience? Here are some tips on how to find and join great groups that align with your professional brand and aspirations.
Leverage LinkedIn’s search and recommendations
The easiest way to start finding relevant groups is by using LinkedIn’s powerful search function. You can search for groups by keyword, category, location, and other filters to narrow down the options. For example, searching for “marketing” groups located in “New York” will display targeted results.
In addition to manual searching, LinkedIn will recommend groups for you to join based on your profile, interests, and network. Be sure to regularly check the “Groups You May Like” section on your homepage. This is a simple way to discover communities that are a natural fit.
Look through your connections’ groups
Check which groups your 1st-degree connections are members of. Chances are if several of your contacts are in a group, it’s one worth exploring. You can easily see a connection’s group affiliations on their profile.
Similarly, if you respect and admire certain professionals, look at the groups they are in. Joining groups with mentors and role models is a great way to learn from their ongoing contributions.
Research groups related to your industry
Do some research to find popular and active groups focused on your particular industry, profession, or specialty area. For example, if you work in high tech, search for terms like “software engineering”, “cloud computing”, or specific skills like “Python”.
You can filter groups by category such as your industry sector or functional areas like HR, marketing, finance, etc. Use LinkedIn’s advanced search to only view results from your locations of interest.
Join alumni and university groups
Connect with your fellow alumni by joining your university and college’s LinkedIn groups. These groups unite graduates in networking and supporting one another throughout their careers.
You can also find student groups related to your university and field of study. This allows you to offer mentorship to students interested in a similar path.
Look for local networking groups
If you want to make connections in your geographic area, search for LinkedIn groups focused on networking in your city. Groups like “NYC Tech Professionals Network” or “Toronto Finance Professionals” attract engaged local members.
These groups make it easier to interact with professionals in your metro area. You can coordinate in-person meetups and events.
Join industry associations and organizations
Many professional associations and organizations have an active presence on LinkedIn through their own LinkedIn groups. These include groups like:
- American Marketing Association (AMA)
- Project Management Institute (PMI)
- American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE)
- American Bar Association (ABA)
Joining your industry’s premier associations keeps you connected to leading minds in your field through ongoing group discussions.
Follow influencers and thought leaders
LinkedIn’s “Influencer” program features posts from over 750 global leaders who publish content on LinkedIn. Follow and join groups associated with the Influencers relevant to your discipline to gain their expert insights.
Outside of official Influencers, look for thought leaders in your industry and evaluate the groups they actively participate in. This will lead you to meaningful communities where you can exchange ideas.
Join groups focused on career skills
To continue developing relevant skills for your career path, look for LinkedIn groups dedicated to professional skills. For example:
- Business writing
- Public speaking
- Leadership
- Sales techniques
- Career development
These groups provide tips, coaching, and resources to master skills needed to excel and advance.
Consider niche hobby or interest groups
LinkedIn groups don’t have to be directly tied to your job function or industry. Look for communities focused on your niche hobbies, passions, or interests to connect with others who share your enthusiasms.
For example, some niche hobby groups on LinkedIn include:
- Amateur Radio Operators
- Craft Beer Enthusiasts
- Landscape Photographers
- Cat Lovers
- World Travelers
These types of groups offer a fun way to bond over common interests and diversify your network outside your core professional circles.
Review group descriptions and details
When evaluating groups to join, be sure to carefully read the group’s full description, membership criteria, rules, and posts. This will give you a sense of the group’s purpose, norms, and engagement level.
Look for groups that seem welcoming to newcomers, aligned to your goals, and committed to thoughtful dialogue. Avoid groups with spammy posts or where conversation seems stagnant.
Assess group member quality and quantity
Look at group size and member quality before joining. In general, groups with between 500 to 30,000 members tend to have the right balance and signal strong community engagement.
Review members’ profiles and see if they are in your target audience. For niche groups, don’t be afraid of smaller membership numbering in the hundreds, as long as members are relevant.
Focus on a few highly active groups
It’s better to actively participate in a handful of the right LinkedIn groups based on your priorities than join dozens of groups peripherally. Choose groups where you can truly connect and contribute.
Start with 3-5 active, well-aligned groups. You can always join more later. But focus first on delivering value in a few before spreading yourself too thin.
Conclusion
Finding and joining relevant LinkedIn groups aligned to your professional identity and aspirations is one of the smartest ways to fully leverage the LinkedIn platform. Take time to thoughtfully search for and evaluate groups that will help you achieve your career objectives and enrich your network.
Remember to focus on engagement over quantity of groups joined. The more you put into a LinkedIn group through commenting, posting, and networking, the more value you will get out of the experience.
Tip | Description |
---|---|
Leverage LinkedIn’s search and recommendations | Use LinkedIn’s powerful search filters and personalized recommendations to easily find relevant groups. |
Look through your connections’ groups | Join groups that your trusted connections are already involved in. |
Research groups related to your industry | Find popular groups specific to your industry, profession, or specialty. |
Join alumni and university groups | Connect with fellow graduates and students from your university. |
Look for local networking groups | Search groups focused on networking in your city or metro area. |
Join industry associations and organizations | Industry associations often have active LinkedIn groups to join. |
Follow influencers and thought leaders | Join groups managed by LinkedIn Influencers and experts in your field. |
Join groups focused on career skills | Find communities dedicated to building key professional skills. |
Consider niche hobby or interest groups | Look for groups aligned to your unique hobbies and passions. |
Review group descriptions and details | Evaluate a group’s purpose, rules, and post quality before joining. |
Assess group member quality and quantity | Consider number of members and relevance of member profiles. |
Focus on a few highly active groups | Actively participate in a handful of well-aligned groups. |
Joining the right LinkedIn groups is critical for expanding your professional network, boosting your profile visibility, and tapping into valuable ideas and insights from industry experts. Follow these best practices to identify and engage with groups that will accelerate your career success on LinkedIn.