Think Big and Use the LinkedIn Dynamic Search Options When Selecting the Industry Classification to Source Names or Leads in LI: Name Sourcing Tips and Tricks

Keep in mind that not everyone in the same company or even at the same location is in agreement as to what industry they are in.  For this reason, you may miss some key people / leads when name sourcing should you not think of all possible industry classifications.

For example, we do a lot of work in mining and minerals.  Some candidates in these areas see themselves as strictly working in what LinkedIn terms “Mining &Metals.”  Others, even at the same location, may differ in this industry assessment and instead choose to “tag” themselves as being in “Chemicals.”

This can become even more of an issue when the companies you name source from serve multiple industries.

Keeping with the example just stated, many in the minerals focus may also serve the food ingredient market.  So, even though a company is mining a basic material they may then process that material for further use.  So, one may see that as strictly being focused on mining while another, perhaps at the same location, may see this site as focused on creating food Ingredients.  If this is the case, LinkedIn still makes it a little confusing as they have two choices for food-related companies – “Food Production” and “Food & Beverages.”  Yet, others may view this site as falling into “Chemicals” as perhaps the basic material, once processed, may also serve the chemical industry.

And to make it even further confusing - perhaps the processed material is used as one of many ingredients in Pharmaceuticals.  Trust me, this is not uncommon as I am currently doing a search in which the target candidates differ quite a bit in how they term their industry, even at the same location.

So, perform your query, but keep in mind that you may need to think hard about the potentially different industry classification ideas people have of the company they work for.

Yet, don’t fret too much.  The beta LinkedIn “dynamic” query options give visual hints as to what different industries you may need to look in.  After performing your query, simply look to the left of the screen under the “Industry” box.  LinkedIn provides a number next to each industry term specifying how many people in that area fit with your query.  Simply click on the box to put those people into the results.  Keep in mind that you may need to type in some industry terms right under the “Show more…” link near the bottom of the box.  LinkedIn will then display additional industry names.  Of course, you can also click on the “Show more…” link to see others, but usually it’s best to also type in some terms.

Happy sourcing!!