"Despite feeling self-conscious about my appearance, how can I effectively use LinkedIn to network and advance my career as an 'ugly' person?"

LinkedIn profiles with a professional-looking profile picture receive up to 21 times more profile views and 9 times more connection requests.

However, the picture does not necessarily have to be a headshot of the individual.

A study by PhotoFeeler found that sincerity and competence are the most important factors in a LinkedIn profile picture.

Wearing formal attire and having a neutral background can help convey these qualities.

LinkedIn members with complete profiles are 40 times more likely to receive opportunities through the platform.

A complete profile includes a profile picture, headline, summary, experience, education, skills, and recommendations.

LinkedIn provides the option to control who can see your profile picture.

You can choose to make it visible to everyone, just your connections, or only yourself.

LinkedIn's search algorithm prioritizes profiles with profile pictures.

When searching for a specific person or keyword, profiles with a picture are more likely to appear at the top of the search results.

A survey by TheLadders found that 27% of hiring managers use LinkedIn to screen candidates before an interview.

Having a professional and complete LinkedIn profile can help make a positive first impression.

According to LinkedIn, having a professional profile picture can increase the likelihood of message responses by 14 times.

LinkedIn's algorithm also prioritizes profiles with a high number of connections.

Focusing on building connections within your industry or field can increase your visibility on the platform.

LinkedIn allows you to showcase your skills and expertise through endorsements and recommendations from colleagues and connections.

Having a diverse range of skills and endorsements can make your profile stand out.

LinkedIn provides the option to add multimedia to your profile, such as videos, images, and documents.

LinkedIn's publishing platform allows you to share your thoughts and expertise with a wider audience.

Publishing original and valuable content can help establish your credibility and authority within your industry.

LinkedIn provides the option to join and participate in groups related to your industry or field.