-- LinkedIn members are encouraged to ask questions, including those related to company research, industry trends and building new professional relationships. Answer questions that you're able to answer as a way of demonstrating your expertise. Appreciative comments by LinkedIn members boost your status since you can earn a reputation for providing "best answers" in different categories.

-- Use LinkedIn applications such as SlideShare and Google presentations to add another dimension to your profile through a visual representation of your work portfolio or career accomplishments.

BONUS LEADS. What can you do when a company of interest doesn't list an open job? Review these sleuthing suggestions:

-- Do a search for your dream employers' LinkedIn company profiles to beef up your familiarity with target firms. When the "New Hires" section on the company's page shows activity, assume the company is hiring.

-- Check out the "Popular Profiles" section on company profile pages for names to contact; these profiles often belong to the company's human resources personnel.

-- Review information on a company profile showing the career path for employees. Employee histories of where they formerly worked provide names of other target employers in areas of your interest.

STUDY UP. If you're like me, you'll need to spend a few hours eyeballing LinkedIn to navigate its nooks and crannies. Consider it time well spent. Perhaps you hadn't thought about it, but this is the first deep recession where you have a tool like LinkedIn, allowing you to put your professional network on steroids.