Using LinkedIn? Easy. Finding contact info on LinkedIn? Not so much!
Sometimes it’s there, sometimes it isn’t, and sometimes it feels like the person is intentionally hiding it. Regardless, with the right steps, tools, and a bit of patience, you can get the contact details you need without losing your mind.
Start with the “Contact Info” section
The first place to look is the “Contact Info” section on their profile. If someone wants to share their email or phone number, this is where it will be.
You might also find links to their website or social media accounts, which can be equally helpful.
How to find it:
- Open their LinkedIn profile.
- Look for the “Contact Info” button below their headline and click it.
If the section is empty, don’t be surprised. Many users leave it blank, either out of privacy concerns or because they simply forgot it exists.
But don’t worry — there are other ways to get the information you need.
Message them directly
If the “Contact Info” section doesn’t yield results, it’s time to ask. A direct, polite message can go a long way.
The key is to be specific about why you’re reaching out and avoid generic or overly formal language.
Example to copy and paste:
Hi [Name], I read your post about [topic/industry] and was impressed by your expertise in [specific area]. Would you mind sharing your email so we can discuss [specific reason] with no character limit?
This approach works best when the message is clear and personalized. It shows you’ve put thought into why you’re contacting them, which increases the chances of getting a response.
Of course, messaging them isn’t straightforward, either. You’ll have to connect with them first or use inMail (LinkedIn Premium version) to send the message.
Use email finder tools
When manual methods don’t work, email finder tools can save you time and effort. Tools like Hunter.io, Snov.io, Wiza, Contact Out, and RocketReach are designed to extract email addresses linked to LinkedIn profiles, often with built-in verification to reduce bounce rates.
How to use them (differs per tool but as a general rule of thumb):
- Download the tool’s Chrome extension from the web store.
- Search for the person on LinkedIn and click on the tool’s extension.
- Use their email or phone number to contact them.
Some tools like Wiza allow you to export the information into a spreadsheet or CRM for further use.
These tools are efficient, especially for large-scale outreach campaigns. However, it’s important to use them responsibly and comply with data privacy regulations.
Check the profile for clues
Sometimes, the information you need is hiding in plain sight. People often include their contact details in other parts of their profile, even if they don’t use the “Contact Info” section.
Where to look:
- About section – Some users include their email addresses here for networking purposes.
- Media and links – Uploaded resumes, portfolios, or links to personal websites often have contact details.
- Activity – Posts, articles, or shared content might include a business email, especially if they’re promoting a service or event.
Taking a few extra minutes to scan their profile can often yield results without needing additional tools.
Try external resources
If LinkedIn doesn’t provide the information, it’s time to broaden your search. External resources can often fill in the gaps.
Options to consider:
- A quick “[Name] [Company] email” Google search can sometimes lead you to public contact information.
- Check the “Team” or “Contact Us” sections on the company website for listed employee emails.
- Use professional databases. Tools like Apollo.io or ZoomInfo aggregate verified contact information for business use.
These methods require a little more effort but can be invaluable if LinkedIn comes up short.
Our experience sourcing contact information
When we were hiring a content marketer, we decided to source/headhunt candidates directly.
We started with LinkedIn Recruiter because it allowed us to narrow down candidates using specific filters.
We searched for terms like “SEO Specialist,” “Content Strategist,” and “Content Marketer” while filtering for skills like Google Analytics and Ahrefs.
We saved our search criteria to get updates on new candidates — an underrated feature for keeping the search dynamic.
The next step was to reach out, and here’s where it gets tricky. InMails on LinkedIn are useful, but only when done right. Sending generic messages is a surefire way to end up ignored, so we tailored our outreach based on their profiles.
For example, if someone had a history of rapid career growth, we focused on the opportunities for advancement at Contact Info. For those who emphasized collaborative work, we placed more emphasis on our team culture.
However, only some have their contact info listed on LinkedIn or respond to InMails, which is where sourcing tools helped.
- We installed the Wiza Chrome extension.
- Went to the LinkedIn profiles of our shortlisted candidates.
- Clicked the “Find Email & Phone” button to get verified contact details.
- Exported the results into monday.com for streamlined outreach.
For profiles where even Wiza couldn’t retrieve details, we used Hunter.io to find professional email addresses. This two-tool approach ensured we had accurate contact information for nearly every candidate.
To make the outreach feel more personal, we didn’t rely on a one-size-fits-all approach. Instead, we created different email templates depending on what we inferred about the candidate’s motivations:
Template 1: For career growth seekers
Example to copy and paste:
Hi [Name], your work at [Company] caught my eye, especially your [specific accomplishment].
At Contact Info, we’re building [specific project], and it’s a role that offers real growth opportunities — exactly the kind of next step for someone with your expertise. Let’s set up a time to discuss?
Template 2: For culture-driven candidates
Example to copy and paste:
Hi [Name], your approach to [specific skill or project] at [Company] really stood out.
At Contact Info, we pride ourselves on a team-first culture where innovation thrives. I’d love to share how your skills could be a perfect fit for what we’re building. Can we chat?
Each email was brief, specific, and aligned with what the candidate valued. And since we had verified contact information, we didn’t waste time on bounces or outdated emails.
The results? Out of 50 shortlisted profiles, we successfully connected with 15 candidates.
From there, 5 moved forward to interviews, and we hired the one who was the perfect fit — a content marketer with both the creativity and data-driven mindset we needed.
The combination of LinkedIn Recruiter, Wiza, and Hunter.io made what could have been a frustrating hiring process into a focused and efficient search.
Tools are great, but knowing how to use them strategically makes all the difference. And when it comes to sourcing contact info, these steps worked for us — no fluff, just results.
Final thoughts
Finding the right contact information on LinkedIn is about combining tools, strategy, and thoughtfulness.
Whether you’re hiring, networking, or prospecting, the key is to approach each step with purpose.
Now, it’s your turn to put these steps into action and find the right people — because the best opportunities don’t always come to you, sometimes, you have to go after them.
Commonly asked questions
How to pull contact info from LinkedIn?
You can find contact info by clicking the “Contact Info” section on a LinkedIn profile. If it’s not available, use tools like Wiza or Hunter.io to extract verified email addresses and phone numbers. These tools integrate with LinkedIn and help streamline the process, especially for larger outreach efforts.
Can people see my phone number on LinkedIn?
Your phone number is only visible if you’ve added it to your profile and set it to be viewable by your connections. To check or update this, go to your LinkedIn settings under “Visibility” and adjust who can see your contact details.
How do I find my LinkedIn contacts near me?
To find LinkedIn contacts near you, use the search bar and apply location filters. Simply type a keyword, then click “All Filters” and set the location to your city or region. You can also enable LinkedIn’s “Nearby” feature (via the mobile app) to see connections physically close to you, but this requires Bluetooth and location permissions.
