Step-by-Step Guide to LinkedIn Search by Name

1. Accessing LinkedIn’s Search Bar

The LinkedIn search bar is your gateway to finding people, companies, jobs, and content.

It is always visible at the top of the LinkedIn homepage, on both desktop and mobile.

How to use it effectively:

1. Click on the search bar and type a name or keyword.

2. Press Enter to view results or select an autocomplete suggestion.

3. On mobile, tap the magnifying glass icon to open the search interface.

At first, start with a simple search before adding filters. This way, you can see the raw range of results.

2. Entering the Exact Name

You know their name, now it’s time to put LinkedIn to work.

Type it in exactly as you remember it, LinkedIn doesn’t care about capital letters, but it does care about spelling. One letter off can send you in the wrong direction.

If you’re not 100% sure, double-check spelling from business cards, email signatures, or even event attendee lists before searching.

3. Using Partial Names and Variations

Only remember part of the name? No problem, you can still track someone down with partial matches or variations.

Think of it like a detective game:

• Try spelling variations (Jon vs. John)

• Add or remove middle initials

• Pair a first name with their company if you don’t know their last name

For example:

John OR Jon AND Microsoft

4. Location Filter

Sometimes your search results can be scattered across different continents, making it harder to find the right person.

That’s when the location filter becomes your best friend. Narrow your search to a city, state, or country and watch the irrelevant results disappear.

Here’s how to use it:

1. After your initial search, click “All Filters” (desktop) or filter icon (mobile).

2. Select the city or region from the location list.

3. Combine with other filters for precision.

5. Company Filter

Trying to find someone from a specific company? Whether it’s to reconnect with old colleagues or reach recruiters, the company filter makes it effortless.

How to use It effectively:

1. Type the company name into the Current Company or Past Company filter.

2. Useful for reconnecting with former co-workers or finding recruiters at a target company.

6. Industry Filter

When you want to connect with professionals in a specific field, the industry filter helps you focus on exactly the right people.

It’s perfect for networking with peers, finding mentors, or targeting experts in your niche.

Here’s how to use It:

1. Select from LinkedIn’s predefined industry categories (e.g., “Information Technology,” “Healthcare”).

2. Best used when the person you’re searching for works in a specialized sector.

7. Education Filter

Shared school ties can be a powerful networking shortcut.

Whether you’re looking for old classmates, fellow alumni, or graduates from a specific program, the education filter makes it easy to find them.

Just type the school name, and if you know it, add the graduation year for extra precision.

How to use it:

1. Type the name of the educational institution.

2. Combine with graduation year if available for better accuracy.