Early-career and seasoned professionals alike are using LinkedIn to maximize their job search as the go-to-place for industry connection through networking. As you gear up to make the most of the platform, I am excited to share my favorite feature – the “People” tab – and how it can help you network like a pro!
Reaching out to someone you don’t know is a lot easier when you share something in common. It’s the perfect icebreaker and a natural way to get a conversations flowing. That’s why LinkedIn’s “People” tab is one of the best-kept secrets for finding your fellow alumni at companies you are interested in.
How to use the “People” Tab
Let’s say you want to work at Wayfair. Start by searching for “Wayfair” in the search bar to find their company page. Once you land on their page, click on the “People” tab. From there, you can filter employees by:
- Geographic Location
- Alma Mater
- Role
- Skills
- Program of Study
- LinkedIn Connection (1st, 2nd, or 3rd connection)
Select “Boston University” as the educational institution, and you will instantly see which Wayfair employees are fellow BU alumni. Now, when it’s time to reach out to professionals, you can find people who you can resonate and connect with knowing you have something in common!
Ready to Reach Out? Here’s How to Do it Well
This is where your pro networking skills come in! Finding alumni is the first step. Now it’s time to connect. Reaching out on LinkedIn can feel intimidating at first, but it doesn’t have to be. When you approach networking as a conversation, not a transaction, it becomes much easier.
On the Virtual Career Center at Boston University, we have step-by-step resources that walk you through how to connect with alumni. We even have templates designed to help you start meaningful conversations. Here’s one to get you started:
Hi [Name],
My name is [Your Name] and I’m a BU alum who’s interested in [Mention Career Goal]. I found your information while I was looking for BU alumni who work in/at [insert industry or company]. Your experience really stood out to me, and I was excited to see that we both went to BU.
I’d love to learn more about your experience at [Company/Industry]. If you have a few minutes to chat or connect via email or Zoom, I’d be really grateful!
Best,
[Your Name]
You can tailor the message to fit what you want to convey. The Center for Career Development (CCD and its Career Coaches are here to help if you are looking for support in creating a networking message that feels just right!
Now that you know how to find alumni and how to reach out, here’s the exciting part: Boston University students can access LinkedIn Premium Career at no cost for one full year. With this subscription, you’ll receive 5 InMail credits per month, which allows you to message individuals you are not yet connected with. You will also receive insights on jobs you are most qualified for based on your profile, information on who has recently reviewed your profile, and much more. These features can give you a huge advantage, especially when you’re building new connections and exploring careers.
Get Started Today
Ready to put these tips into action but still have questions? Schedule a 1:1 appointment with a CCD Career Coach today to start building the connections that will move your career forward.
For more information about the LinkedIn Premium subscription, be sure to review the terms and conditions of the free trial.