LinkedIn has emerged as one of the most powerful search tools for professionals and businesses looking to connect with others in the industry. Whether it’s for networking, hiring, sales outreach, or market research, knowing how to search for the right individuals on LinkedIn can make a big difference. However, many users are still unaware of the advanced ways to narrow down people by industry effectively.
TLDR:
If you’re looking to find people in specific industries on LinkedIn, start by optimizing your use of LinkedIn’s search filters like industry, location, and current company. Use Boolean search to combine multiple keywords intelligently. LinkedIn Premium, Sales Navigator, and proper use of groups and hashtags can also vastly improve search results. This guide outlines strategic, step-by-step ways to find professionals by industry easily and efficiently.
1. Understand LinkedIn’s Basic and Advanced Search Tools
LinkedIn offers two primary types of search functionalities: the basic search bar and the advanced search filters. Both can be used to search for people based on industries, though the advanced filters yield more relevant and targeted results.
Using the Search Bar:
- Start by typing job titles, roles, or companies related to the industry.
- After entering your term, click the “People” tab to limit results to individuals.
- Use quotation marks for exact matches (e.g., “Software Engineer”) and Boolean operators like AND, OR, and NOT to further narrow it down.
Using Advanced Filters:
Once you’ve run an initial search, use the filter options available just below the search bar. These include:
- Location: Focus your search on key cities or regions.
- Current Company: Use this to filter for people currently employed within organizations in your target industry.
- Industry: Select from LinkedIn’s preset industry categories to refine results.
- Past Companies and Schools: Narrow your search by past affiliations that are typical within certain industries.
2. Use Boolean Search for Precision
Boolean search can be incredibly powerful when searching for people in specific industries, especially when you’re looking for job titles or combinations of skills. LinkedIn supports Boolean search within the keyword field, so you can combine terms like this:
“Marketing Manager” AND “Healthcare”
Or even:
(“Project Manager” OR “PM”) AND (“Construction” OR “Real Estate”) NOT “Intern”
This allows a nuanced and highly targeted approach to finding the right professionals.
3. Leverage LinkedIn Premium and Sales Navigator
For those who need to conduct serious research or sales outreach, LinkedIn Premium and Sales Navigator offer advanced filtering capabilities beyond those available to free users. These include:
- Filtering by years of experience
- Seniority level
- Function or team (e.g., HR, Marketing, Engineering)
- Company size
- Posted content or activity
Sales Navigator even lets users save searches and create custom lead lists filtered by specific industry keywords and roles.
4. Utilize LinkedIn Groups and Hashtags
LinkedIn groups are a great way to find people deeply involved in certain industries. You can either join these groups or browse members to identify potential connections. Similarly, users who follow or use specific hashtags often post or engage with content in related professional fields.
To leverage groups:
- Search for groups using industry keywords (e.g., “Hospitality Professionals”)
- Join active groups and view member lists
- Participate in discussions to make organic connections
To use hashtags:
- Input industry-related hashtags in the search bar (e.g., #fintech, #creativeindustry)
- Engage with posts and identify contributors from those sectors
5. Use Filters Creatively
A creative application of LinkedIn’s filters can often yield better results than a straightforward approach. For instance:
- If you’re searching for people in the entertainment industry in New York, combine filters like Location = “Greater New York City Area” and Industry = “Media and Communication.”
- To search for C-level executives in the finance sector, use keywords like “CFO,” select Seniority level = “CXO,” and Industry = “Financial Services.”
6. Explore Company Pages and Employee Lists
Another clever trick is going directly to the LinkedIn Company Pages of leading organizations in your target industry. From there:
- Click the “See all employees” link.
- Utilize the additional “People” filters to narrow by role, location, school, or what they studied.
- Find potential leads and prospects who work in roles relevant to your goal, such as hiring, business development, etc.
7. Export and Organize Your Searches
While LinkedIn doesn’t allow direct exporting of user data (especially for free accounts), you can manually create a spreadsheet of relevant profiles you’ve found, including profile URLs, job titles, companies, and how you intend to reach out. Alternatively, some tools and CRMs integrated with LinkedIn Premium or Sales Navigator allow for soft exports and tagging systems.
8. Stay Updated
People’s jobs, industries, and career trajectories can change. To stay informed:
- Follow companies and professionals in your target industry
- Enable notifications for updates or new roles
- Set alerts within Sales Navigator or Premium search if applicable
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Q: Can I search by multiple industries at once?
- Yes, use Boolean operators such as “OR” within the industry filter or keywords. For example, ‘Software OR IT OR Technology’.
- Q: Do I need LinkedIn Premium to search by industry?
- No, you can use basic filters for industry even with a free account, but Premium and Sales Navigator offer more granular filtering options.
- Q: Why can’t I find the ‘Industry’ filter sometimes?
- It’s typically bundled within the ‘All filters’ section after initiating a search under the “People” tab. It may not show up automatically in the initial search bar.
- Q: Can I filter search results by job title within an industry?
- Absolutely. You can use the keyword field to input specific job titles while selecting an industry filter under advanced options.
- Q: How can I reach out to people I find?
- Send a personalized connection request. Mention a shared interest, mutual connection, or reason for connecting related to the industry you found them in.
In conclusion, mastering LinkedIn’s search tools can open doors to countless professional opportunities. With the right combination of filters, Boolean search strings, and strategic engagement, anyone can successfully identify and connect with people in specific industries, whether for hiring, sales, or simple networking purposes.
