The 3 Worst LinkedIn Profile Picture Mistakes
Your LinkedIn profile picture is one of your very first opportunities to make a solid professional first impression, and it speak volumes about your personal brand.
A picture is important: Specifically one sized to 400 x400 pixels for your LinkedIn profile photo.
It sets the tone for the rest of your profile and it lets the viewer know that you are both professional and approachable. Those are two good (read: crucial) things if you’re looking for a new job and want to be found by a recruiter!
So, you want to be sure to avoid the very worst—and all-too-common—LinkedIn profile picture mistakes:
Not having a picture: Are you a real candidate or a ghost?
Using a photo with other people in it: Which one are you?
Using an awkward selfie, poor quality, or severely outdated photo: Why are you hiding?
At the end of the day we like to know (and see!) the people that we work with. Your LinkedIn photo is a visual prompt—an invitation to come on in and view the rest of the profile. It says: Get to know me.
Not to mentions, it also shows the prospective employer that you were thorough enough to complete your LinkedIn profile. (I mean when we were little, we all wanted as many shiny star stickers on our homework as possible—right?)
Your LinkedIn profile is about you: It’s your first impression. So show up in your photo as you would for the job and save the photos with the “extras” for Facebook or IG.
You don't have to spend a bunch of money on professional headshot, but please dress professionally and ask someone else to take it. Have them take a picture of you against a solid background, some good daylight lighting, dressed for the job you want, and a smile.
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