And use it to you benefit.

LinkedIn is a network tool that is starting to revolutionize how people look for jobs, potential employees, and/or keep up with professional achievements.  There are many features though that people are not as familiar with, and that might mean that you are not getting all that you possibly can from the LinkedIn network.  Here are some really great things that you might not have known that LinkedIn can do for you.

• Let potential employers find you.  Employers are starting to look on LinkedIn for potential employees.  You will want to let your LinkedIn profile stand out from the rest to these employers even if you are not looking for a job at the moment.  To make the effort to stand out, you can include certain keywords in the heading, summary, and more that will capture the attention of those looking for someone like you.
• Show off a little.  To add documents to your LinkedIn profile you can actually use Box.net.  These documents can be PDF, Excel, or Word files.  You can also add pictures of current or past projects and more.  This will help show those who find you what your skills are.
• Plan for success.  Many people who use LinkedIn do not take advantage of the Career Explorer tool.  This function is a way to help you find other people in your profession and see how they got to where they are currently.  You can use that as a way to model your own career path and plan for success in your own professional life.

For other tips and tricks when it comes to your professional networking you can also ask other LinkedIn users with great profiles how they managed to get to that point.  Your professional profile is a lot like home security, because you don’t always think about needing it until the day comes that you do.