LinkedIn has launched a new web plug-in called Apply with LinkedIn, which is designed to enable companies to make it easier for job applicants to apply using their LinkedIn information.

“We’ve put an incredible amount of effort to rethink the job application process from end-to-end to make it a one-click submit for any professional,” says LinkedIn’s Jonathan Seitel. “The first step was simple: put the functionality everywhere our members need it. That means packaging it as a simple button that you can recognize anywhere across the web. We’ve made this simple enough to implement so both  companies and developers can easily include it on their corporate websites.”

“Once you click on the ‘Apply with LinkedIn’ button, you’ll get a user experience that’s been optimized for the web,” says Seitel. “In addition to updating your profile real time, LinkedIn will also show you your professional connections that work at the company to increase your chances of getting hired through a referral.”

“If you don’t know anybody at the company, we’ll show you people who can introduce you to someone there,” he adds. “This is extremely powerful – statistics show that referrals are the #1 source of external hires at companies.”

LinkedIn will record all the submissions in the “Saved Jobs” tab under the “jobs” category on the site.

LinkedIn has launched the product with Netflix TripIt, Photobucket, and over a thousand other companies. The documentation has been made available here.