Wayne Breitbarth, Grad '86, is a speaker, author and consultant for Power Formula LLC in Milwaukee. Register for his weekly email with LinkedIn tips. He can be reached at wayne@powerformula.net.
Have you missed this super helpful FREE LinkedIn feature?
LinkedIn has many great features that are very hard to find, and one of the joys of my job is showing my clients how to not only find them but also how to use these features in a strategic and purposeful way.
One feature that really amazes most folks is LinkedIn's Alumni feature that allows you to search for others who have walked the same hallowed halls as you did. You won’t believe the incredible things you can now do with this feature.
There are two ways to access this feature. In the large search box on your top toolbar, type the name of the school you're interested in. When it shows up in the drop-down list, choose that entry—or you can just click the name of a school on anyone’s profile. Once you're on the university's page, click the Alumni tab. This will take you to that school's Alumni page.
Ca$h in on this powerful tool
Every school’s Alumni page includes an awesome filtering system that helps you find the perfect fellow alums to reach out to.
The filters include:
- Where they live
- Where they work
- What they do
- What they studied
- What they are skilled at
- How are you connected
Once you have selected your filters on the Alumni page by clicking the bar above your desired selections, LinkedIn displays a mini profile for everyone who meets your filtering criteria. Without leaving the page, you can send a message to any first-degree connections or use a personalized message to invite anyone on the list to join your network. Pretty cool, don’t you think? I am amazed that this is still free.
Some of the searching capabilities have always been available through Advanced People Searching, but it is much easier to do it here.
If you’ve been looking for a way to sort people by age range, this is your ticket. If you sell products or services to a targeted age group, use the Start year or End year filters on the top right to find alumni who are probably in that age range. Granted, it isn’t exactly an age search because not everyone gets an undergrad degree at age 22, but it should still provide some valuable information.
Use the Search alumni by title, keyword or company box to really zero in on the right alums to reach out to.
I think after you test drive the Alumni feature, it will become one of your favorites. And I love success stories. Let me know how reconnecting with fellow alums helps you and your business.
RESOURCES
Career Services Center: A lifetime perk for Marquette graduates
If you’re between jobs, considering a career change, interested in resume tips or would like Marquette alumni to apply for a position at your organization, Marquette’s Career Services Center can help.
By Courtney Hanson, Arts '98, Health '00, Grad '06
Career health - strengthen your ability to journey down a career path
Traveling down a successful career path requires the right tools. Equip
yourself with these skills and qualities to establish a solid foundation.
By
Brian Noviskis, Bus Ad '82
Personal finance- the impact of big purchases
Planning ahead when making a significant purchase can help prevent bigger financial burdens down the road.
By Greg Noonan, Bus Ad '83
Step back and be quiet!
Step back and be quiet! Your ability to do that may be critical to your
success as a leader. A truly great leader knows the importance of having some
quiet time to reflect, as Chris Lowney points out in his wonderful book,
published by Loyola Press, "Pope Francis – Why He Leads the Way He
Leads."
By Mary Alice Tierney, Sp '72
What a search firm looks for in a
executive candidates
Whether you're actively seeking employment or potentially in the future, learn about the executive search process and five tips of base line criteria Spano Pratt looks for in a typical leadership role.
By Rose Spano Ianelli, founding partner at Spano Pratt Executive Search
Career
health
It’s YOUR career. How healthy
is it? Vibrant and
growing or stagnant and slowing? Since you own it, you are fully in charge of
your career’s health. By Brian Noviskis, Bus Ad '82
The
easy approach to savings and finance
It's never too early to
establish or adjust budgeting and financial goals. Follow these easy steps.
By Greg Noonan, Bus Ad '83
If not here,
where?
If you are among the many professionals looking to pursue
new jobs in 2014, there are some key questions you should consider before you
make a change.
By Mary Alice Tierney, Sp '72
