by Jim Sutton

Created on: April 22, 2009   Last Updated: April 24, 2009

Simple, effective, efficient: LinkedIn.com was conceived in Dec 2002 and launched in May 2003. Today LinkedIn, an online networking website for professionals, spans all Fortune 500 companies, over 150 industries and has 130,000 recruiters among its 30 million members. Stay connected with people you already know and ignite professional relationships with those you don't; LinkedIn is a fully loaded networking toolbox.

LinkedIn has competitors such as Ecademy.com, facebook.com and Plaxo.com, however, LinkedIn.com is the professional on-line networking tool of choice and this article will explain the basic functions. Linkedin.com has been described as "facebook for the suits" or "Facebook without the drunken photos."

The most common complaint that Forbes.com discovered is the cost of membership. While basic membership to LinkedIn's network is free, premium options, such as deeper searches, greater connectivity, priority customer service and sneak peeks at new features, come at a price. Everything described here is free and I have built a 2600 member network in free mode and I am very happy with it for job hunting and general networking. Recruiters and marketers may choose the extra features of the paid version. LinkedIn is reliable, available 99.9% of the time for me with an occasional minor bug. In minutes LinkedIn can round up potential customers, vendors and talented hires in your industry or discipline. Linkedin is easy to use. The interface is clean, simple and advertisements are there, but not in your face. So, let's take this website for a test drive.

GUIDED TOUR STARTS HERE. Fasten your seat belt, print this article to prevent switching windows frequently (click "article tools" at the top right of the article), log onto LinkedIn.com and let's explore linkedIn.com together. The tour will start on the top of the left side of the home page. In the top Left is the LinkedIn.com Logo which will always return you to the home page. The blue word "Home" in the top of the left navigation bar will also return you to the home page.

GROUPS. Next click on the blue word "Groups" below "Home" In the left navigation bar and you will see the groups you are a member of. Click the group name to open it. LinkedIn currently has over 265,000 groups. There are alumni groups for former employers, schools, and any other business topic you can imagine. On the right side of the page you will see a yellow "Find a Group" button where you can search by keywords and categories. Groups allow

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