I use LinkedIn as making myself visible to recruiters. I do this by joining groups relative to my industry or professional interest. My profile is loaded with keywords so I come up in their searches. As a result, I get contacted about opportunities that I’m not aware of or publically announced.
I do review who my connection requests are coming from. I’ll make connections with people that I’ve met through professional circumstances. Personal connections I leave for FB and I often do not mix the two.
Feel free to add me to your network. I added PackageID a few weeks ago.
I wouldn’t bother upgrading. I did for a short period of time and I did not see the advantages. That’s when my wife informed me that the upgrade option is reall for hiring managers and recruiters.