6 Helpful Tips to Choosing the Right LinkedIn Profile Pic

By Brittany Loeffler on September 3, 2020

Choosing your LinkedIn profile pic can be a little intimidating. You have grown so accustomed to posting selfies to your social media that your friends and followers will like, but when it comes to using LinkedIn, you’re in a whole different ball game.

LinkedIn is a professional networking social media site where you can connect with colleagues, network with people from all over the world, and apply to jobs and internships. It’s a great place to build your personal brand, host your resume, and start or advance in your career.

Your profile pic should be professional, friendly, and express your personal brand. How do you do all of this in just one photo? Read on for some helpful tips to choosing the right LinkedIn profile pic.

linkedin profile pic

via Pixabay

Choose a Recognizable Photo

Have you ever followed someone on Instagram and thought they were so photogenic and stunning then met them in person and they are barely recognizable? There’s no shame there! But there is no place for this on LinkedIn.

You want to pick a recognizable photo, preferably one taken within the last few weeks or months. If you were to show up to an interview tomorrow, you would want your interviewer to recognize you right when you walked through that door from your LinkedIn profile pic.

Avoid Using a Selfie

Taking selfies has become second nature for us, especially with such fantastic front-facing cameras on phones. However, while a selfie is great for Facebook and Instagram, it isn’t the most professional photo to put as your LinkedIn profile pic. Instead, find someone to take your photo. This will look more natural and professional.

If you don’t have someone available to take your photo, use your phone’s self-timer and prop it up somewhere. This method allows you to try many different poses as many times as you’d like so you know you’ll get the perfect one.

Use 60% of the Photo’s Space

A general rule of thumb when positioning your LinkedIn profile pic is to have your face take up 60% of the photo’s space. This allows your followers and recruiters to see your face clearly and better put a face to your name and resume. To achieve this, you can always crop your photo. It’s best practice to crop just under the shoulders so your face is clearly shown.

Avoid Distractions

You’re the star here! Avoid having any distractions in your LinkedIn profile pic. This means taking your photo against a solid or calming background. You can never go wrong with a white or black background, but if you are outside, lean against a tree or have the sky behind you.

Another tip is to be the only person in your profile pic. Whether it’s with a friend or there are people in the background, you don’t want viewers to get distracted or confused as to which person is actually you.

Dress Business Casual

You’re probably wondering what you should wear for your LinkedIn profile pic. It’s a good idea to dress as if you were going to work or to an interview. For females, wear a blouse or blazer and natural-looking makeup. For men, a blazer or button-down shirt and tamed hair is a good idea.

Some great guidelines to follow is the business casual category of style. It can be confusing at first and you may not know what would be considered business casual. It’s an important style to get the hang of, especially if you plan on working in an office! Ask yourself, would I wear this to my grandmother’s house? If the answer is yes, it’s probably business casual.

Live Your Personal Brand

It’s important to build a personal brand, especially if you are using social media to make money or get a job. Your LinkedIn profile pic should represent your brand! If you’re someone who is bubbly, friendly, and a go-getter, you’ll want to smile in your photo. If you’re an artist who likes to talk about philosophy and the world, you may want to go with a subdued smile or even a serious picture. Whatever your brand may be, show it off through your expression.

Choosing the Right LinkedIn Profile Pic

Don’t get overwhelmed or nervous when choosing the right LinkedIn profile pic. Now that you know these six important tips, you’ll be a pro at picking a photo that represents your personal brand, fills 60% of the frame, isn’t a selfie, and has no distractions. Remember, your profile pic is the first thing a recruiter or interviewer sees, and unfortunately, it may be how they judge you and your professionalism. Don’t lose a career opportunity because you chose the wrong profile pic.

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