The time it takes to upload a profile photo to LinkedIn is minimal, but the decision in choosing which photo to use should take much longer. After all, LinkedIn is not your ordinary social media page. The photo you put here says a lot about you, and if put up the wrong photo, you could drive away potential employers before they even read your profile.
Unlike other social media profiles, your LinkedIn account is the place that most hiring managers look to first to see who you are. Recruiters may check your other accounts, but they do so only to get a glimpse into who you are in your personal life. Some recruiters may not look at other accounts at all.
Make your LinkedIn photo say to recruiters and hiring managers that you mean business by posting a head shot. Look straight at the camera, and offer up your best smile. Remember, you’re trying to get positive attention, so make the photo as sincere as possible without looking like you’re being booked at the county jail.
If you prefer a full body shot, make sure that you are wearing professional clothing. Going this route offers the recruiter the opportunity to see you as you are, with nothing to hide. Choose an ideal background to show you as a professional, and refrain from posting photos of yourself hanging out at the beach, playing your favorite sport or drinking with your friends in that little black dress. Save those for other social media accounts.
Keep photos of your family on your other social media pages. No matter how cute your kids are, companies who are interested in calling you in for an interview won’t be so quick to make that call. Your family members are not the ones hoping for a job, so you want your LinkedIn profile to be all about you.
Even if you don't feel like you're photogenic, display a photo of yourself anyway. The last thing you want to do is set up your LinkedIn profile without a photo. Think about how you feel when you want to purchase something and there is no photo; it’s the same with recruiters. A profile with no photo is passed up more often than not, so make sure a great photo of yourself is available.
Keep in mind that LinkedIn is not really a social media account, but more of a networking tool. It’s hard to network with people if they can’t see your face and welcoming smile, so go the extra mile and ask someone to take the photo for you. A self-taken photo works, but only if you can do it in a way that seems professional. However, most self-taken photos show the arm holding the phone or camera, which is not a good professional look.
Use a professional LinkedIn profile photo to make a positive impression recruiters, as it’s the first thing they see when they go to any of your social media pages. Your photo shows who you are, and it portrays your personality and professionalism, so make it count.
Photo courtesy of imagerymajestic at FreeDigitalPhotos.net
Become a member to take advantage of more features, like commenting and voting.
Register or sign in today!