Last week I provided step by step instructions of how to locate a company insider (with a common connection) using LinkedIn to deliver your resume and cover letter directly to the hiring manager. This article described an ideal situation with no bumps in the road. However, you may encounter obstacles along the way which include the inability to locate a company insider, to reach the company insider by phone, and/or to locate the company insider’s email. This article will provide advanced techniques you can use when you encounter these obstacles.

Play the audio version of this post. | Download this episode (right click and save)

Now let’s go back to step 7 of the previous LinkedIn article which discussed filtering your search results by checking the appropriate option(s) in the Relationship field. Feel free to review this article by clicking this link: How to Use LinkedIn to Apply to a Job Posting.

Now to improve your search efficiency by quickly narrowing the results to company insiders with a common connection:

• Sort your results by relationship (1^st, 2^nd, and so on) by selecting “Relationship” under the Sort by: list box at the top left corner of your search results
• Next refine your search by selecting the relevant groups (such as alumni and professional associations) under the Groups: field

If you have not joined any LinkedIn groups, I encourage you to join alumni, professional associations, industry, profession, and any other relevant groups. You can join up to 50 groups and this will increase your network. For the most part, you can send emails directly to members of these LinkedIn groups.

Let’s assume that you conducted a new search for a different company and your results did not yield a company insider with a common connection. Some of these individuals could be insiders with a common connection but are not appearing to be since they have not join the suitable LinkedIn groups and etcetera.

Next remove any filters from your results (i.e. uncheck the relevant groups and make sure that All LinkedIn Members is the only option selected under the Relationship field). Type common connection keywords such as “Texas,” “University of Texas,” in the Keywords: field.

Please note you may have to use one keyword or related keywords during each search. For example, I am an alumnus of Texas and Michigan. So when I type “University of Texas, University of Michigan” in the keywords field I generate no results. However, when I type only “University of Texas” or “University of Michigan” I generate results.

Afterwards, click on each of the resulting profiles to see if you have a common connection with these individuals. If you still could not locate an individual with a common connection, you can search alumni databases or you can increase your LinkedIn common connection criteria to include factors such as interests or other LinkedIn groups. Afterwards, you can reach out to these individuals with the goal of establishing rapport and having your resume and cover letter delivered to the hiring manager.

For the individuals with a common connection, you can directly call the main switchboard number of their current employer and ask for them. You can obtain the number from the employer’s website, Hoovers.com, and/or Reference USA (if you have a subscription). If you have not been able to reach the common insider by phone, you can send an email. However, you may not be able to send an email via LinkedIn.

If this is the case, first see what LinkedIn groups these individuals have joined. Next join one of these groups so you can directly send an email (for the most part) to these individuals. Please note that some groups are restricted and your membership will have to be approved by the group’s moderator. However some groups are open to anyone to join.

If this did not work and these individuals are alums, search the alumni databases for their email addresses and alternative phone numbers. If you were unsuccessful, you can search sites like Jigsaw.com and Netprospex.com to locate their contact information. You can also view the press releases and/or conduct a Google search to locate the email address format for the companies these individuals currently work for. Then you can extrapolate these individuals’ email addresses and conduct a Google search to see if you find a match. You can also use Email Address Checker to see if you have a match.

If you missed it, you should listen to Part Two of the hit episode “How to Use LinkedIn like a Headhunter.” You can listen to the archived version by clicking the player below. Ron Nash, the expert guest, discussed or provided:

• 1. A recap of the first episode
• 2. How to acquire referrals from company insiders to hiring managers
• 3. How to establish rapport and become friends with hiring managers
• 4. How to strategically follow-up with these hiring managers resulting in interviews

Most importantly, this episode also contains brief case studies from a couple of listeners who are successfully implementing these strategies. So be sure to listen to the entire show so you do not miss this vital information.

If you like this episode, I encourage you to visit www.blogtalkradio.com/thecareercatalyst. Next download the previous seven episodes, register for a free BlogTalkRadio account, mark this show as a favorite, subscribe to our upcoming shows, and become a regular listener.

Play Episode VIII: How to Use LinkedIn Like a Headhunter II. | Download this episode (right click and save)

Also tune in to Episode IX: “How to Network Your Way into Your Dream Job” with expert guest Rhonda Sher, “The Two Minute Networker.”

Rhonda will provide a step by step process to effectively network by acquiring insider information about companies, job leads, and referrals to hiring managers. This is a show you do not want to miss. Feel free to view The Two Minute Networker Intro below.

If you cannot participate live in next week’s show, feel free to send your questions to kac@kenrickchatman.com by Tuesday.

Remember the wisdom of a crowd is richer than the wisdom of a few. So actively participate in the free online community at jobradiousa.com and encourage fellow job seekers to do the same.

Popular Articles You Should Read

• Is Experience That Important?
• Are You Screened Out By the Salary Question?
• Resume For Leaders That Gets Results
• Two Ways to Differentiate Yourself from Your Peers
• How to Use LinkedIn to Apply to a Job Posting