How to Find Your People on LinkedIn with Simple Searches

Looking for the right connections on LinkedIn? 🧐

Whether it's a mentor, a collaborator, or your next big client, LinkedIn search can help you find "your people" with precision. But why does this matter? In a platform with over 900 million users, it’s easy to feel lost. 😱

Being intentional about who you connect with ensures you’re building a network that supports your growth, goals, and long-term success. 👥

In this Mondays with Mindi session, I show you simple strategies to cut through the noise and connect with individuals who can truly impact your professional journey. 🎯

Why LinkedIn Search Matters

LinkedIn is massive—over 900 million users, and counting! With that many people on the platform, it can feel like a lot to navigate. But here’s the great thing—LinkedIn’s search features help you cut through all that noise and connect with the exact people you’re looking for.

Whether you’re after a mentor, a business partner, or maybe even your next big career move, LinkedIn search can take you there.

When you find out how to easily use LinkedIn search, you can:

• Expand your network in a smart way

• Find collaborators who align with your goals

• Identify key industry influencers to learn from

• Connect with potential clients or employers

If you don’t have an existing prospect list or are targeting people who aren’t active in groups, LinkedIn search becomes your most powerful tool. While groups are great for finding niche communities, not everyone joins them or actively participates. That’s where LinkedIn search shines—it allows you to find those “hidden gems” who may not be as visible in traditional group settings but are still highly valuable connections. By using advanced search filters like job title, industry, and location, you can easily pinpoint the people who match exactly what you’re looking for.

The beauty of LinkedIn search is that you’re not limited to who’s already in your network or who’s active in groups. You can broaden your reach to discover potential collaborators, clients, or even mentors who align with your goals but may not be posting or engaging regularly. This lets you strategically build a network based on relevance and shared interests, rather than just waiting for opportunities to come to you.

It’s all about being intentional and using the right tools. And that’s what we’re diving into today—how to master LinkedIn search and use it to your advantage!

LinkedIn Search Basics 101

Let’s start with the fundamentals. If you're new to LinkedIn's search functions, here’s how to get going:

1. Start with the search bar: At the top of the page, you can enter names, companies, or even topics to begin your search.

2. Leverage basic filters: Once you search, use filters like "People," "Jobs," "Content," "Companies," and "Groups" to refine your results.

3. Click "All Filters": Here’s where the magic happens! You can access advanced filters to really fine-tune your search.

LinkedIn’s basic search might be all you need to build a strong prospect list. While many people think they need premium features to get the best results, the truth is, that LinkedIn’s free search tools offer plenty of options to generate a solid list of potential connections.

With the search bar and basic filters like “People,” “Companies,” and “Groups,” you can quickly narrow down the types of professionals you want to connect with. This is especially helpful if you’re just starting out or focusing on a specific niche.

By leveraging these basic filters, you can still achieve highly targeted results without needing premium tools. Whether you’re searching for people based on location, industry, or even a specific company, LinkedIn gives you the flexibility to find exactly who you’re looking for.

It’s a simple, effective way to generate a quality list of prospects, collaborators, or mentors that align with your goals—without having to upgrade to a paid plan.

Test Drive LinkedIn’s Advanced Search Techniques

Now, let’s get into the good stuff—the advanced search features that will save you time and bring you closer to the connections you need.

Boolean Searches (for the rest of us!)

This technique lets you be super specific by combining keywords with operators like AND, OR, and NOT.

1. AND: Use this to find profiles that include two terms, like "content AND marketing."

2. OR: Broaden your search, e.g., "content OR copywriter" to get profiles that include either term.

3. NOT: Exclude certain terms from your search. "Content NOT copywriter" will help you avoid profiles you don’t need.

4. Quotation Marks: For exact matches, use quotes around phrases, like "product manager."

5. Parentheses: Combine operators for more complex searches. For example, "VP NOT (assistant to VP)" filters out assistants.

My Favorite LinkedIn Key Search Filters

Here’s a breakdown of my favorite LinkedIn key search filters and how they can help you refine your search:

• Location: This filter allows you to find people in specific geographic regions or cities, which is particularly useful if you’re looking to connect locally, expand into new markets, or target professionals in a particular area.

• Industry: Use this filter to narrow your search to specific industries like tech, finance, healthcare, or education. It’s perfect for tailoring your outreach to a particular sector or looking for industry-specific opportunities.

• Current Company: This lets you see who’s working at companies you're interested in. Whether you want to connect with potential partners, clients, or colleagues at a specific organization, this filter helps you zero in on the right individuals.

• Job Title: Search for specific roles, from entry-level to C-suite, to find exactly the type of people you're looking to network with or hire. Whether it’s "Marketing Manager" or "CTO," this filter ensures you find the right contacts.

• Experience: This filter helps you focus on people with a certain number of years in their field. Whether you want to connect with seasoned veterans or rising talent, experience-based filtering ensures your search aligns with your objectives.

• Skills: Identify people with the specific skill sets that are important to you. If you’re looking for someone with expertise in project management, data analytics, or a specialized tech stack, this filter will surface the most relevant profiles.

Sales Navigator or Recruiter Search Filters

Sales Navigator and Recruiter offer advanced filters that take your LinkedIn searches to the next level, allowing you to get more specific and targeted with your results. Here’s a quick breakdown of what each of these filters can do:

• Company Size: This filter allows you to target companies based on the number of employees they have. You can search for small businesses (1-10 employees), mid-sized companies (11-200 employees), or large corporations (500+ employees), depending on your goals.

• Seniority Level: This filter helps you find people at specific levels within their organizations, such as entry-level employees, managers, directors, VPs, or C-suite executives. It's ideal if you want to target decision-makers or specific roles within companies.

• Job Function: Here, you can narrow down your search by the type of work someone does—like marketing, sales, engineering, or finance. This is especially useful if you want to connect with people in specific departments or roles relevant to your business.

• Reporting Structure: This filter shows the hierarchy within a company, helping you identify not only who holds leadership positions but also how teams are structured. It’s useful for understanding who reports to whom, which can be key in sales or hiring decisions.

If you're using LinkedIn for sales or recruitment, the advanced filters in Sales Navigator or Recruiter can be game-changers. These tools allow you to narrow your search with precision by targeting specific company sizes, seniority levels, job functions, and even reporting structures. Whether you’re looking to connect with decision-makers at enterprise companies, find top talent for a specialized role, or focus on key industries, these filters help you generate more relevant leads and make your outreach efforts far more efficient. Ultimately, they save you time and increase your chances of finding the right people for your goals.

7 Best Practices for Running Effective LinkedIn Searches

Now that we’ve covered the basics and advanced features, let’s dive into some best practices that will help you make the most of LinkedIn search:

1. Combine Multiple Filters: One of the keys to effective searching is using multiple filters at the same time. For instance, if you’re on the hunt for marketing professionals in the tech space, why not filter by location, industry, and job title all at once? This approach allows you to refine your results significantly and saves you time by focusing only on candidates who truly match your criteria.

2. Experiment with Keywords: Don’t be afraid to play around with your search terms. If your first attempt doesn’t yield the results you want, try variations or synonyms. For example, instead of just searching for "project manager," consider terms like "program manager" or "project lead." This can help you uncover a broader range of profiles that may fit your needs perfectly.

3. Save Searches: If you find yourself frequently looking for similar types of connections, take advantage of LinkedIn’s ability to save your searches. This way, you can quickly revisit them without re-entering all your criteria each time. It’s especially handy if you’re regularly recruiting or connecting with professionals in a specific niche.

4. Manually Review Profiles: Even with all the advanced search capabilities, it’s essential to take a moment to manually review profiles. Automated searches can overlook nuances that you might catch. By looking at their experiences and mutual connections, you can gain valuable insights that help you tailor your outreach and increase the likelihood of a positive response.

5. Use Content Search: Another strategy is to search for individuals actively creating content in your industry. Engaging with their posts by liking, commenting, or sharing can be an effective way to warm up the connection before you send a request. This approach makes your outreach feel more organic and increases your chances of starting a meaningful conversation.

8. Leverage the Alumni Tool: Don’t underestimate the power of the alumni tool on LinkedIn. It allows you to find professionals who attended the same school as you. Mentioning your shared alma mater can create an instant connection and serve as a great icebreaker when reaching out. It’s a small detail that can lead to more receptive conversations.

9. Explore Groups: Finally, consider joining relevant LinkedIn groups. These communities are fantastic for meeting like-minded professionals and expanding your network. By participating in discussions and engaging with group members, you can forge valuable connections and discover opportunities that might not be visible through standard searches.

As we wrap up today’s chat about finding your people on LinkedIn, I hope you see how mastering these search features can really change the game for you. It’s not just about growing your network; it’s about being intentional with your connections. Whether you’re on the hunt for a mentor, a collaborator, or even a potential client, knowing how to navigate LinkedIn’s search tools means you can pinpoint the right people who align with your goals.

We’ve covered a lot today, from basic filters to some cool advanced search techniques like Boolean searches. These tools can help you uncover profiles that might not pop up in groups or your immediate network. Remember, it’s all about quality over quantity. By focusing on the right connections, you’ll make sure every new relationship brings you closer to achieving your professional dreams.

So, as you move forward, keep that blend of technique and authenticity in mind. Approach your searches with a sense of curiosity and creativity, and don't hesitate to reach out to those interesting profiles you find along the way. I’m really excited to see how these strategies help you build meaningful connections and open up new opportunities on LinkedIn!

If you have any questions or want to dive deeper into anything we talked about, just let me know—I’m here for you in the comments and DMs!

Thanks so much for joining today's session of Mondays with Mindi! Remember, LinkedIn is all about building real, meaningful connections. Start by optimizing your profile, then use these search techniques to find your tribe.

If you found today’s tips helpful, don’t forget to like and share this livestream! And follow me for more insights on LinkedIn strategies and professional growth. Happy networking, everyone!

Want to dive even deeper? Head over to mindirosser.com/linkedinreboot for my exclusive guide on how to create an optimized LinkedIn profile, so you can get your profile ready to start connecting with all these amazing people on LinkedIn! 💪

Thanks for joining me today—now go out there and run your first (or next) LinkedIn search! See you next Monday for more Mondays with Mindi! 👋

I’d love to hear your thoughts! How do you go about finding people on LinkedIn? Are there any tips and tricks you have to get around search limitations on LinkedIn? Share your thoughts in the comments below👇.