How to Use LinkedIn Alumni Tool: Find and Connect with Your Network

Method 1: Through Your Profile (Desktop)

1. Go to your LinkedIn profile
2. Scroll down to the Education section
3. Find the school you want to search alumni for
4. Click "See alumni" below the school name

This takes you directly to the alumni page for that specific school.

Method 2: Direct Search

1. Go to linkedin.com/school/[school-name]/people
2. Replace [school-name] with your university's LinkedIn identifier

Example: For Stanford University, visit linkedin.com/school/stanford-university/people

You can find your school's identifier by visiting your university's LinkedIn page and looking at the URL.

Method 3: LinkedIn Search

1. Use the LinkedIn search bar
2. Type your school name
3. Select the school from the dropdown
4. On the school page, click the "Alumni" tab

Mobile Access

On the LinkedIn mobile app, go to your profile, tap the Education section, select your school, and tap "See alumni." The mobile interface offers the same filtering options as desktop.

Key Sections

Company Filter

Search for alumni working at specific companies. This is invaluable when you are applying to a company and want to find an internal referral or learn about the culture.

Use case: Applying to Google? Filter for alumni at Google, reach out to someone in a similar role, and ask for insights about the interview process.

Location Filter

Find alumni in specific cities or regions. LinkedIn lets you select multiple locations at once.

Use case: Moving to Austin? Filter for alumni in Austin to build your network before you arrive and learn about the job market.

Industry Filter

Search by industry to find people in fields you are exploring. LinkedIn uses standard industry categories like Technology, Finance, Healthcare, and more.

Use case: Considering a career pivot to fintech? Filter for alumni in Financial Services to learn about different career paths.

Job Function and Title

Search for specific roles like Marketing, Engineering, Sales, or Operations. This is helpful when you want advice from people doing the job you want.

Use case: Interested in product management? Filter for alumni with Product Manager titles to learn how they broke into the field.

Field of Study

Find people who studied the same major as you or a related field. Great for connecting with people who followed similar academic paths.

Use case: Psychology major exploring careers? Filter for alumni who studied psychology to see the variety of paths they took.

Start and End Year

Filter by graduation year to find people who were on campus around the same time as you. This helps surface stronger connections and mutual acquaintances.

You can also search by decade if you want a broader range.

Job Searching and Referrals

When you apply to a company, having an internal referral dramatically increases your chances of getting an interview. Use the Alumni Tool to find someone at your target company, mention your shared school background, and ask for insights or a referral.

Strategy: Filter for alumni at companies on your target list. Reach out with a personalized message mentioning your shared school, your interest in the company, and a specific question about their experience there.

Career Exploration

Not sure what career path to take? Use the Alumni Tool to explore what people with your major ended up doing. This gives you real examples of career trajectories and helps you discover options you might not have considered.

Strategy: Filter by your field of study and browse the industries and roles alumni work in. Reach out to people in interesting roles for informational interviews.

Industry Research

Before pivoting to a new industry, use the Alumni Tool to understand what roles exist, which companies hire alumni, and what skills are needed. This helps you make informed decisions about your next move.

Strategy: Filter by the industry you are researching and look at job titles and companies. Connect with a few people to ask about their transition into the industry.

Business Development and Sales

If you work in sales or business development, the Alumni Tool helps you identify warm leads at target accounts. Alumni connections make cold outreach feel warmer and increase response rates.

Strategy: Create a list of target companies. Use the Alumni Tool to find alumni at those companies. Reach out mentioning your shared background and how your solution might help their business.

Relocation Planning

Moving to a new city? Use the Alumni Tool to build a network before you arrive. Alumni in your new city can offer advice on neighborhoods, job markets, and local opportunities.

Strategy: Filter by your destination city. Reach out to alumni and ask for recommendations on living areas, companies hiring, or just coffee when you arrive.

Recruiting and Hiring

If you are hiring, the Alumni Tool helps you find qualified candidates who already have a connection to your school. Alumni hires often fit company culture better and stay longer.

Strategy: Filter by skills, location, and industry relevant to your open role. Reach out with opportunities or invite alumni to apply.

Mentorship and Advice

Finding mentors can be challenging, but alumni are often willing to help younger graduates from their school. Use the Alumni Tool to find senior professionals in your field and ask for guidance.

Strategy: Filter for alumni 10 to 20 years ahead of you in your desired career path. Reach out with specific questions and respect for their time.

Personalize Your Message

Mention your shared school in the first line. Reference something specific from their profile like a recent post, project, or career move. This shows you did your homework.

Be Specific About Your Ask

Don't just say you want to "pick their brain" or "grab coffee." Be clear about what you want to learn or what help you need. Specific asks are easier to say yes to.

Keep It Short

Busy professionals skim messages. Keep your initial outreach to 3 to 4 sentences. Introduce yourself, mention the connection, make your ask, and close.

Offer Value When Possible

If you can offer something in return, mention it. This could be insights about your current company, introductions to people in your network, or help with a project they are working on.

Follow Up Politely

If you don't hear back in a week, send one polite follow-up. People are busy and messages get buried. A gentle nudge often gets a response.

Example: "Hi Sarah, wanted to bump this up in case it got lost. No worries if now is not a good time. Happy to connect whenever works for you."

Save Your Searches

Once you create a useful filter combination, save the URL as a bookmark. This lets you quickly return to the same search without rebuilding your filters.

Build Target Lists

Export alumni profile information to a spreadsheet to build target lists for outreach campaigns. Track who you contacted, when, and what the outcome was.

Layer Multiple Schools

If you attended multiple schools (undergrad, graduate school, certificate programs), search each one separately. This expands your network significantly.

Set Up Google Alerts

Create Google Alerts for your school name plus keywords like "hiring," "fundraising," or "acquisition." This helps you spot alumni companies that might need your services or have opportunities.

Attend Virtual Alumni Events

Many schools host virtual alumni events and networking sessions. Combine the Alumni Tool with these events to identify who to meet and what to talk about.

Look Beyond First Connections

Even if an alumnus is not a first-degree connection, the shared school background makes it appropriate to reach out. Alumni are generally more receptive to connection requests from fellow graduates.

Generic Outreach Messages

Sending the exact same message to dozens of alumni is obvious and hurts response rates. Personalize each message with at least one detail specific to that person.

Asking for Too Much Too Soon

Don't ask for a job or major favor in your first message. Start with a small ask like a 15-minute call or specific advice. Build the relationship first.

Not Following Through

If someone takes time to help you, follow up with a thank you and keep them updated on your progress. Alumni networks work because people pay it forward. Be someone worth helping.

Ignoring Recent Graduates

Don't only reach out to senior alumni. Recent graduates can be incredibly helpful, especially if you are early in your career. They remember what it was like and often have time to help.

Forgetting to Give Back

As you advance in your career, make yourself available to younger alumni. Answer messages, do informational interviews, and make introductions when you can. Strong alumni networks are built on reciprocity.

Only Shows LinkedIn Members

You can only find alumni who have LinkedIn profiles with their education listed. Some professionals, especially older graduates or those in certain industries, may not be active on LinkedIn.

Privacy Settings Matter

Alumni with strict privacy settings may not appear in all filters or searches. You might see aggregate data but not be able to view their full profiles or contact them directly.

Filter Combinations Can Be Limited

While you can combine several filters, very specific combinations may return too few results. Sometimes you need to broaden your search to get meaningful results.

No Email Addresses Provided

The Alumni Tool shows you profiles but does not give you email addresses. You have to connect on LinkedIn or use other tools to find contact information.