USE THESE 5 TIPS TO CREATE YOUR LINKEDIN PROFILE PICTURE
65 million employers use LinkedIn to make their hiring decisions. Not only that, but 95% of job recruiters utilize LinkedIn to find viable job candidates. In addition to your résumé, LinkedIn can give employers a better sense of who you are, your qualifications, and most importantly, what kind of employee you may be. It makes sense, then, to invest in your LinkedIn profile.
There’s one part of your profile, though, that you may take for granted: your profile picture. You may think your photo doesn’t matter as much as your job history. In fact, evidence suggests your picture may play the biggest role in determining whether you land a job. Given its importance, here are 5 key tips to help you maximize your profile picture.
1. USE YOUR SMILE.
Smiling is the top quality that makes for a great first impression. Katherine Hansen, Ph.D., Creative Director and Associate Publisher of Quintessential Careers, states, “a smile is the best way to show how much you want the job. A warm smile is especially important when you first meet your interviewer.” The qualities of your profile picture should showcase how you will perform in a job interview. A smile that is genuine projects a relaxed confidence and enthusiasm for whatever job you are applying for.
2. LOOK RIGHT INTO THE CAMERA.
Looking right at the camera acts as eye contact, which, along with smiling, is crucial in a job interview. A recent study on hireability in job interviews suggests that “the two main facial behaviors sought by employers in the interview of the applicant were smiling and eye contact.”
If you’re using a phone or tablet, however, finding that camera lens can be difficult. In order to avoid looking a little to the left or right of the camera, take a piece of tape and place it directly above the camera lens. This will give you a little bit more of a target for your eyes.
3. HAVE SOMEBODY ELSE TAKE THE PICTURE.
Having somebody else take your profile picture may help your smile and pose to be more natural. Obviously, the way to avoid taking a selfie is to have somebody else take the picture. Make sure to pick a person you trust and are comfortable with. Have them warm you up by making you laugh. Laughing will help make your smile natural and genuine when it’s time to take the photo.
And if you just can't find somebody to take your picture, try using a camera timer for your phone or tablet. This allows you to set up a shot and relax before that shutter clicks.
4. TAKE A HEADSHOT FROM THE SHOULDERS UP.
The circle of a LinkedIn profile photo doesn’t give you much surface area for your picture. Taking a picture of your whole body makes it harder to see that smile and eye contact. Still dress for success, but it’s your face that employers are looking at.
5. ASK OTHERS FOR FEEDBACK.
Oftentimes we aren’t quite sure which picture displays the best us. It’s always a good idea to ask others what their choice would be for a profile picture. Find those people who are supportive yet honest to help you whittle down your choices. Ask them: does this look like me? Based on this photo, would you want to interview me? Having a smaller pool of pictures from reliable sources will give you a better idea of what you are projecting, and which picture to ultimately choose.
It’s important to remember, though, to have fun with it. Job searches can be stressful. Creating your LinkedIn profile picture shouldn’t be. The more you enjoy the process, the better the chances of capturing a “you” that is attractive—and hireable—to those 65 million employers looking for just the right person.
