I know some people that have landed jobs through linkedin. I've had few recruiters contact me through the site as well. I'm in IT so it may just be the industry.
I still get contacted via LinkedIn. Just got one yesterday from a large corporation I worked for early last decade.
Dude, I know how that is - left a job I was at for nearly a decade. Was next in line to eventually make partner, but had no interest in that. Used my connections to get where I wanted to be. Personally, I've found that the best way to get the job you desire is through connections. I've had several offers over the years through random methods (like linkedin and what not), but the best way is through your already-established connections. From my own experience, these connections help you find a position that is just right for you and at the right time. The jobs that have come to me randomly..... they never seemed quite right. I'd brush up your resume, and pass it through your current connections, and see where that takes you. Sticking with your known connections also can help you with keeping everything more discrete, which is something you probably need at this point, until you're totally sure about jumping.
