Even though LinkedIn is one of the oldest and most successful online social networks, it is usually overshadowed by many of its flashier siblings. Facebook, Twitter, Google Plus and even Pinterest and Tumblr seem to be getting all the attention in the media reports. Even the long-term LinkedIn users and social media aficionados like myself have often wondered how “useful” LinkedIn really is. You don’t log into your LinkedIn account all that often, and when you do there is really not much there to “see.”

Big part of the reason for this prevailing confusion regarding the usefulness and aim of LinkedIn stems from the fact that LinkedIn is not really a social network in terms of one important aspect: it is not a place where you go to socialize. LinkedIn is a professional network, and as such it doesn’t lend itself easily to the casual socialization. It is a rather “serious” network if you will.

Another misunderstanding of LinkedIn is that it’s just a modern online version of your resume. To be sure, I still prefer sending a link to my LinkedIn profile as a substitute for sending a pdf or Word copy of my resume, but if resume maintenance is all you use LinkedIn for, then you are greatly missing on a lot that this network could do for you.

“Work Smarter with LinkedIn” is an excellent short e-book that will help you understand what LinkedIn is best used for and how you can take the most advantage out of this professional social network. The book is very concise, to the point, and written in an accessible and informative manner. There is nary a superfluous word in it. Unlike many other books and articles on LinkedIn and social media in business in general, this book is not trying to oversell the value of this approach. It gives you very concrete and useful advice and examples. One of the most useful pieces of advice that I got out of it is that you should only connect with people on LinkedIn whom you are willing to exchange favors with. This approach may seem opportunistic, but in professional settings it makes eminent sense.

Finally, you have to remember that no book or article can help you in building your professional success if you a) don’t have the adequate job skills and/or experience, and b) you are not intrinsically motivated and driven to network, both online and off. LinkedIn is just a tool, and it’s up to you to have the aptitude and attitude necessary to use it to its full potential.