Premium users on LinkedIn are about to stand out even more than usual.

This week, the business-focused social network revealed that it would give the profiles of paid users an additional visual punch that regular users won’t have: a cover photo.

On top of that feature, the company will make it easier for premium users to optimize their profiles, give them a little extra mojo in searches on the site, and improve their ability to see the people who have viewed their profiles.

The moves could be a big selling point for professionals and recruiters alike.

“Whether you’re a new graduate or a seasoned professional, how you are viewed professionally matters,” the company’s Dmitry Shevelenko wrote in a blog post. “LinkedIn has always been a place where you can come to manage your professional brand and to put your best foot forward.”

The company’s premium offerings [PDF] vary from $9.99 per month for an individual “Spotlight” plan to $899.95 per month for corporate recruiters, who get access to the full profiles of all 300 million LinkedIn users. The company offers discounts for annual subscriptions.

An Easier Reach

Another feature of the updated premium package may or may not be a good thing, depending on your opinions on privacy: LinkedIn will opt premium users in to a new “Open Profile” setup, which allows any user to contact a premium user, whether or not the two are connected. Traditionally, LinkedIn has allowed users to contact other members only if they’re connected, unless that user pays for an InMail message.

If this sounds like a bad idea to you, don’t fret. According to InformationWeek, the feature can be turned off easily in the “Privacy & Settings” tab.

The updates are available to all current and new LinkedIn subscribers, and the company says additional perks to the premium plans will be added over the next few months.

(LinkedIn press photo)