When I first viewed the LinkedIn profile photo of a certain client (a CFO job seeker), I knew something was fishy.
A dashing 30-something man was smiling at me with perfect teeth, perfect hair, and a perfectly chiseled face. But, based on his career history, I knew my client had to be around 50. He obviously used a stock photo.
Sure enough, he told me he and some colleagues thought it would be fun to put up this misleading photo.
What he didn’t realize was that when I Googled his name – which executive recruiters and employers were sure to do as well – real photos of him came up in various places. He didn’t look anything like his LinkedIn profile photo.
Think about how this discrepancy would impact his credibility and reputation. People could think all kinds of things about him, including questioning whether his was a legitimate profile.
His blunder could even be worse than having no photo at all which is, in my opinion, a deadly mistake.
Why You Need a LinkedIn Profile Photo
Your profile picture is a key element of your LinkedIn presence. Our research shows that just having a picture makes your profile 14 times more likely to be viewed by others.
They’ve even included profile photos as a criteria for their “Profile Strength meter“. When you include a photo and their other criteria, you’ll bump up to an All-Star profile rating.
Although some LinkedIn members fear discrimination based on age, appearance, ethnic background, etc. if they include their photos, I still advise that it’s best to have one.
There’s no doubt that discrimination exists in job search, so you’ll need to decide for yourself, but there are risks involved with NOT having a photo.
Most executive recruiters and hiring decision makers at the companies you’re targeting will see your LinkedIn profile before they see anything else about you. Put yourself in the shoes of these people assessing your candidacy through your LinkedIn profile.
The first thing they’ll notice when they land on your profile is your photo . . . or lack of one.
If you have NO photo, their initial thought will likely be “What is this person trying to hide?”
Personal Branding Matters
Personal branding is an essential piece in developing the content for your LinkedIn profile. Branding helps you differentiate the qualifications and qualities you possess from your competitors.
Branding also helps you make an emotional connection.
People connect easier and believe content more when it’s accompanied by the author’s photo. They’re more likely to reach out to someone when they can “see” the person. Your photo helps to personalize and humanize your brand-driven content.
Another issue associated with not having a photo − your profile may be flagged as a fake, especially if there’s very little content within the profile.
Choose your LinkedIn profile photo wisely
It follows you everywhere on the site, with any of your activities, not just when people click through to your profile.
Select an appealing photo that strikes the right image and professional tone for your industry, niche, and personality. Executives typically wear suits, but if your leadership style is relaxed, then a more casual, but still professional, look may be right for you.
Here are LinkedIn’s tips for taking your profile photo:
- Pick a photo that looks like you
- Use a high-resolution image
- Make sure your face takes up at least 60% of the frame
- Be the only person in the picture
- Get someone else to take the picture for you
- Take a photo with the right expression
- Avoid distracting backgrounds
- Wear what you’d wear to work
- Take the photo in soft, natural light
- Use filters wisely
Bad LinkedIn Profile Photo Choices That Can Hurt Your Chances
- A selfie taken in front of the bathroom mirror. (Be careful with any selfie.)
- A group photo of you and colleagues. Which person is you?
- A photo with you and your darling child or children.
- A party photo of you.
- A photo of you holding a beer or other obvious alcoholic beverage, at a barbecue.
- A lewd-ish photo of you inappropriately or partially dressed.
- A photo of scenery, but no you.
- A photo of someone other than you – like my client noted above.
And here’s what LinkedIn says you shouldn’t use for your profile photo:
- Company logos
- Avatars, emojis, or cartoons
- Landscapes
- Animals
- Words or phrases
- Stock images or photos
- Childhood or baby photos (or other images that would not be recognizable to current or potential connections)
You don’t necessarily have to go to a professional photographer, but that’s not a bad idea.
You can have a friend take a headshot of you smiling, both showing teeth and closed-mouthed – inside and outside. And try various clothing choices.
Then sit down with all the possibilities and a few friends and/or colleagues. Try to reach a consensus on which one evokes the real you, consistent with the brand message you want to get across.
More About LinkedIn and Executive Job Search
Essential LinkedIn Guide for Today’s Executive Job Search
How to Network Your Way Into a Great-Fit Executive Job
Guide to Executive Job Interviews: The How-To’s, Why’s and Best Practices