LinkedIn all-time practices

x Tips for Picking the Right LinkedIn Profile Picture

Your profile flick is a central element of your LinkedIn presence. Our research shows that only having a picture makes your profile 14 times more likely to be viewed by others.

As a recruiter, that ways this little circular image is your showtime chance to make a proficient impression on candidates — and it's a key element of your recruiter make.

If you already have a contempo headshot taken by a professional person photographer or have the opportunity to get one, this is frequently a good bet. A photographer can ensure that the lighting is flattering and that you lot're putting your best foot (or rather, face) frontward. This typically costs betwixt $200 and $400.

Nevertheless, if you don't have the upkeep, the camera on your smartphone volition also exercise the play a joke on. Here are 10 tips to assist yous option a strong photo and make a great impression.

1. Pick a photo that looks like you

It might sound obvious, simply your photograph should give candidates a clear idea of what yous'd look like if they met you tomorrow.

You've probably met someone whose social profile photo looks nothing like how they look now — perhaps it's a photo that was taken 10 years ago, before they started wearing glasses, or before they dyed their hair. It tin exist startling to meet them in person if y'all've just got that motion-picture show to get by, and it might even make you question their brownie.

Make sure your LinkedIn contour picture is upwardly to appointment (inside the past few years) and reflects how y'all expect on a daily footing — your hair, glasses, makeup, and so on. If you do change your appearance drastically, consider taking a fresh pic to keep candidates in the loop. The offset fourth dimension they run into you in person might be when they come in to interview, so giving them the ability to speedily place you lot can amend their experience and assistance put them at ease.

two. Utilise a high-resolution epitome

The ideal size for your LinkedIn profile moving picture is 400 10 400 pixels. Larger file sizes are besides fine (although 8MB is the max), but attempt to avert pocket-sized, depression-resolution images.

If the flick looks a flake blurry when you upload it, you lot may want to opt for a dissimilar one. This may also happen if y'all try to take a picture of a picture (similar taking a pic of the photograph on your ID badge) so it'southward best to take a fresh ane instead.

3. Make sure your face takes upward at least 60% of the frame

Using a motion-picture show of yourself standing atop a distant mountain peak works well for some social media platforms, only it'due south non ideal when you desire candidates to know what you look like.

Instead, aim to have your face up filling about lx% of the space. Crop the film from the acme of your shoulders to merely above your head and so that your face fills the frame.

four. Exist the simply person in the picture

It'southward great to show candidates that you're collaborative and love your squad. Simply if you lot use a group photo as your profile picture, they may be unsure which person is you.

To leave candidates with no doubt about what you look like, choose a solo photo for your contour pic. Cropping a group photo isn't the all-time solution, since you lot might see a random hand or shoulder popping into the frame. If you do want to include a squad film on your profile, you could utilize this for your banner picture instead.

5. Go someone else to have the picture for you

While information technology's fine to apply a photo taken with a cellphone, information technology's probably best to steer clear of a selfie. Ask a friend or coworker to have it for y'all — it only takes a minute and information technology can make a big difference.

For i matter, the front (selfie) photographic camera on nigh phones produces a lower-quality image than the rear camera. Depending on your phone settings, information technology may also produce a mirror prototype, which can cause whatever words or logos to appear backwards.

Plus, past getting someone else to have the picture show for y'all, you'll probably notice that your pose is more natural and comfy. They might also aid to straight you lot a fleck, like telling y'all to tilt your caput slightly or tuck your hair behind your ears.

6. Cull the right expression

Your contour picture is an opportunity to convey your personal brand. Then if you consider your brand a little more serious, it's okay to look serious in your picture. But generally speaking, smile can assistance put candidates at ease and make you look more outgoing.

1 study of 800 profile pictures found that people view you as more likable, competent, and influential if you smile in your pic. And smiles that show teeth were rated twice as likable as closed-mouth smiles.

Consider practicing in front of a mirror get-go to see which expression you lot like best. You don't want to await uncomfortable, so do what feels natural to you.

7. Avoid distracting backgrounds

Where you have your picture matters. You lot don't want anything to distract from your face, so a simple background can help ensure that you're the focal point.

That'due south not to say yous have to be standing in a white, empty space. Taking the motion-picture show outside in nature or against a painted wall can keep things elementary without existence ho-hum. If you lot want to showcase absurd details of where yous work, though, that might be amend for your banner image.

eight. Wear what you'd wear to work

Every workplace has a different vibe when it comes to the dress code, and your profile picture can aid candidates go a feel for that vibe right away. You don't want to be over or underdressed.

If yous clothing jeans and a button-down most days, it'due south okay to wear that outfit in your movie — likewise if yous wear a adjust.  And if yous work from home most days, try wearing clothes that match the dressiness of the company as a whole, just to assist candidates estimate what might be expected of them.

Another affair to note is that solid colors tend to exercise best on camera. Color blocking your outfit using bold tones tin help make your pic really pop.

ix. Take the photograph in soft, natural light

Lighting can completely change the look and feel of your photograph. Standing below harsh fluorescent lighting can alter the tint of your pictures and create shadows on your face, while using a camera flash may make your skin look shiny. Natural light normally produces the all-time event, but direct sunlight can brand pictures look diddled out.

Try taking your picture outside on an clouded solar day, in a slightly shady area (anywhere that's out of directly sunlight), or when the lord's day is setting to help to soften the calorie-free. Y'all can besides stand inside using the light from a nearby window to illuminate your face up and give your skin a natural-looking glow. Avoid standing with your back to the window, as this volition arrive harder to run into your confront.

10. Utilise filters wisely

LinkedIn now offers half-dozen filters that you can use to your profile picture, each of which will give your photograph a slightly unlike look and experience. Think carefully about what kind of mood you want to convey, and don't exist afraid to play around to see which filter looks best. The Spotlight and Classic filters, for instance, tin can brand your image wait more polished and sharp.

If yous don't want to employ a filter, you lot can withal adjust the brightness, contrast, saturation, and vignette of the photo directly on LinkedIn — then y'all don't demand to learn Photoshop to make a few subtle tweaks.

What having a great profile picture ways for you

To increase your response and referral rates, invest in your profile picture. Information technology's your outset hazard to communicate that you are friendly, likable, and trustworthy — attributes that are crucial to getting prospects to appoint with you.

Call up of information technology equally your first step to building your personal make on LinkedIn and making yourself stand out from other recruiters. At present that'due south worth investing in.

But you lot don't demand to stop there. For more tips on how to polish upward your profile and build your personal brand on LinkedIn, download our free ebook: half dozen Steps to Building Your Recruiter Make on LinkedIn.

Learn how you can find and hire the right talent using LinkedIn Talent Solutions. Asking a free product demo.

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