Get more eyes on your profile with a great photo

LinkedIn is the most popular business networking platform in the world, with over a billion members. It's clearly the place to be if you're looking at building your network or starting a job search, but how can you make your profile stand out among so many others? An easy way to start is with a great LinkedIn profile picture. According to LinkedIn, profiles with photos receive twice as many views and three times as many connection requests.

How to take a good LinkedIn photo

Sure, you could upload the last decent selfie you took on your phone, but it's probably not going to show off your professional self to your best advantage. There's plenty to consider, including background, sizing, and clothing, before you even strike a pose. Take a look at our top tips for taking a good LinkedIn photo to get more eyeballs on your profile. 

Choose your background 

Your LinkedIn profile picture may be small, but it's the first impression many people will have of you – and you know first impressions count! That means no piles of dirty laundry or overflowing worktops in the background. Pick a plain background – for example, a wall or a field. That way, the focus is on you rather than on background distractions. 

Similarly, the picture should be of you alone. This is a professional introduction – partners, friends, and kids aren't relevant here. For one, strangers may have no way of knowing which person in the picture is you, and for two, the photo is small enough already without dragging other people into it. 

Choose your clothes

Your outfit is another key choice you'll need to make. As you're only taking a headshot, you can wear whatever you like on your bottom half, as it won't be seen. When it comes to your top half, though, professional is the way forward. Party clothes, bridal dresses, and casualwear are out, and suits or formalwear are in. 

You do have an alternative here – if you wear a uniform or PPE to work, you could wear that in your photo instead. Beware of dressing too casually, though – even if you'd normally turn up in a tee shirt and jeans – treat your profile picture for LinkedIn as you would an interview and dress accordingly. 

Choose your pose 

The best LinkedIn photos are headshots. A full face-to-the-camera image is rarely flattering (think of mugshots and passport photos!), so instead, opt for a slight angle. Try some different angles to see what works best for you. 

Choose your expression

Think about your personal brand when choosing your expression. Again, you may want to try several different ones to see which you prefer. A smile, with teeth slightly showing, is generally recommended as it seems warm and approachable. It goes without saying that you shouldn't cover your face with, for example, sunglasses or a hat. 

Choose your lighting 

Lighting can be tricky if you're not a professional photographer. We're not suggesting you pay for a professional LinkedIn photo, as you can snap a perfectly good picture yourself, but if you're willing to splash out, then by all means, go ahead. For the rest of us, natural lighting, such as facing a window but away from direct sunlight, generally results in a decent shot. Soft lighting will minimize wrinkles and squinting. 

Choose your shot

The golden rule when selecting your LinkedIn profile picture is to ensure it looks like you. You'll want to link with people you already know, who may overlook your profile if you're not recognizable. You may even meet some of your new connections in real life – who may be surprised to find you look nothing like your picture at all! With that in mind, choose a shot that looks like you physically and represents you well professionally – and remember to update it regularly. 

Choose your size

These days, even a non-pro can take professional pictures for LinkedIn using tools available on their phones or computers. With that in mind, you can crop your photo to ensure that your head and shoulders take up around 60% of the frame. 

Choose your finish 

Speaking of editing like a pro, there are more tricks you can use to ensure you end up with a good LinkedIn profile picture. Have a play around with tools that allow you to adjust the color, contrast, sharpness, saturation, and brightness – just don't get carried away. A badly-edited or over-edited LinkedIn profile picture is as bad as no picture at all.

More LinkedIn profile picture top tips

By now, you should know how to take a LinkedIn photo that shows off your best professional self. Use these final tips to make sure you're making the most of your new headshot. 

  • Use a recent photo. Yes, we all looked better when we were younger, but keeping your photo up-to-date is important so that your connections know who you are when you meet in real life. 

  • Use the same photo across all platforms. If you have a professional presence on Instagram, Facebook, and a website, use the same profile picture for every site. That helps to cement your brand and ensure you're recognizable as people find your presence on new platforms. 

  • Choose a separate image for your LinkedIn banner. This image sits behind your photo and can be chosen to represent what you do, promote your company brand, share your contact details, or anything else you deem important. 

LinkedIn profile pictures – what not to do

We've told you how to take the best LinkedIn profile pictures, but we'd be remiss if we didn't highlight some common mistakes to avoid as well. 

  • Don't use a selfie. Try to rope a friend, colleague, or family member into your photoshoot. It's tricky trying to take a great photo while striking a pose, looking professional, and getting the technical elements right. Most people can also tell it's a selfie and not a professional photo. 

  • Don't use your wedding pics. You may have looked and felt your best, but personal photos in wedding attire and professional photos in work attire are two very different things. 

  • Don't crop yourself out of a group shot. It's always obvious when people do this, and it rarely results in a good-quality image. 

  • Above all, don't opt for no photo! As we said above, you'll get more clicks and look more professional if you do upload one. 

Your photo is just the first step

You've now got a LinkedIn profile picture you're happy with – but don't stop there! Fill out the rest of your profile to give a rounded impression of your career, skills, experiences, qualifications, and professional value. Think of your profile page as an expanded, online version of your resume, and add any details you'd want a hiring manager to know about you. 

Did you know that you can get help with your resume and LinkedIn profile? At TopResume, our team of experts is ready to help you take your career to the next level. Check out our services or submit your resume for a free resume review to get started!

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