LinkedIn is a popular social media platform used by professionals and businesses to network, build their personal brand, and share content. With over 810 million members worldwide, it’s important to present a polished, professional image on LinkedIn. This includes profile photos, which serve as your first impression to new connections.
While LinkedIn recommends uploading high-quality profile photos, sometimes mistakes happen. Typos in captions, awkward facial expressions, or just an outdated headshot can create the wrong impression. The good news is that you can edit or change a photo already published on your LinkedIn profile.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll cover common reasons to edit an existing LinkedIn profile photo, step-by-step instructions to change the photo, tips to optimize your new photo, and additional things to keep in mind when managing your LinkedIn presence.
Reasons to Edit Your LinkedIn Profile Photo
There are a few common scenarios that call for updating your LinkedIn profile photo:
You Want a More Professional Look
LinkedIn is for professional networking and career development. An unpolished, casual photo can damage your personal brand and credibility. Consider swapping out photos with:
- Poor lighting or image quality
- Distracting backgrounds
- Informal attire like t-shirts or party clothes
- Goofy facial expressions or poses
- Cropped body parts like the top of your head
Aim for a high-quality headshot or portrait that presents you in a professional light. Wear business or business casual attire with muted colors. Look at the camera with a friendly smile.
You’ve Changed Jobs or Roles
If you’ve changed companies or transitioned to a more senior role, your profile photo may need a refresh to match. Consider updating it to showcase your new business attire or environment.
You might also take a new photo after achieving an academic degree, certification or other accomplishment worth noting.
Your Photo is Outdated
Ideally, you should update your LinkedIn profile photo every few years. Styles change over time. Without realizing it, your haircut or glasses may start to look dated.
Updating an older photo will make your profile look crisp and current. It also shows you’re actively managing your LinkedIn presence.
You Want to Update Your Personal Brand
As you progress through your career, you may want to maintain a consistent personal brand across social media platforms. For example, updating your look to match your modern headshots on Twitter or Instagram.
Consistency strengthens recognition and memorability.
You Made a Mistake in the Original Post
Accidents happen! You may have posted the wrong photo, used an incorrect caption, tagged the wrong person, or want to adjust the cropping. Updating the photo allows you to seamlessly fix any mistakes.
You Have Improved Photo Editing Skills
Editing tools and skills can have a big impact on photo quality. With some practice, you may be able to touch up older photos to look much more professional.
Don’t be afraid to re-edit and repost older photos using your new editing expertise. Some quick fixes like cropping, filters and brightness adjustments can go a long way.
Step-by-Step Guide to Updating a LinkedIn Profile Photo
Ready to update your LinkedIn profile picture? Here is a simple step-by-step process:
Step 1: Select Your New Photo
Choose your new profile photo wisely. Here are some best practices:
- High resolution image (minimum 400 x 400 pixels)
- Recent photo from the shoulders up
- Neutral background
- Profile view
- Professional attire
- Friendly facial expression
- No logos, watermarks, or text
Upload a few options to select the best one later. JPG, PNG and GIF formats are supported.
Step 2: Login to LinkedIn
Access LinkedIn from your desktop or mobile browser. Login with your email and password.
Step 3: Go to Your Profile Page
From your LinkedIn feed, click on “Me” or your profile icon at the top of your screen. This will bring you to your public profile view.
Step 4: Click the Camera Icon
Find and click on the camera icon located in your current profile picture. This will launch the photo upload screen.
Step 5: Upload New Photo
Click on “Upload photo” and select your new profile photo file from your computer or mobile device.
Crop the image if desired. Note, the photo will display as circular on your profile.
Step 6: Move New Photo to Top Position
If you upload multiple options, click and drag your preferred photo to the top #1 spot before saving changes. Delete any unused photos.
Step 7: Save Changes
Double check your new photo looks good. Then click “Save” to officially publish your photo update.
That’s it! The new photo will now display on your profile.
Tips for an Optimal LinkedIn Profile Picture
Beyond the technical how-to, here are some expert tips for choosing and optimizing your LinkedIn profile photo:
Match Your Headshot Across Networks
Aim for consistent headshots across your professional social media profiles on LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram, etc. This strengthens your personal brand and makes you more instantly recognizable.
Show Your Face Clearly
Faces attract attention. Be sure your face is clearly visible and not obscured. Share a headshot style photo from the shoulders up.
Make Eye Contact With the Camera
Looking directly at the camera comes across more friendly and approachable. Avoid tilting your head or looking off in the distance.
Smile Slightly
A slight smile looks polished and approachable for a business photo. Avoid flashing toothy grins which can come across overly casual.
Flatter Your Features
Angle your face, adjust lighting, and style your hair in ways that highlight your best features. Get input from others to identify what flatters you most.
Appear Relaxed Yet Composed
Avoid stiff, posed photos. But also don’t slouch or hold distracting props. Find a comfortable neutral posture.
Wear Professional Attire
Dress like you would for an interview. Business formal or business casual works best. Avoid loud patterns or distracting accessorizing.
Use A Clean Background
Choose a solid wall, curtain or greenery as your backdrop. Busy backgrounds compete for attention.
Edit With Care
Light editing like cropping, small brightness tweaks, and subtle color correction can polish your photo. But avoid over filtering in ways that look artificial.
Things to Consider When Managing Your LinkedIn Presence
Your profile photo is just one part of your LinkedIn presence. Here are some additional things to keep in mind:
Customize Your Public Profile URL
Claim a customized URL like Linkedin.com/yourname to make your public profile easier to share and remember. Do this under profile settings.
Showcase Your Background Photo
Your cover photo at the top of your profile is valuable real estate. Use it to share professional passion projects, team photos, or company vision.
Expand Your Public Profile
Fully build out sections like your summary, experience, education, skills, accomplishments and recommendations. Profiles with more information look 500% more likely to be viewed.
Increase Your Connections
Grow your network by connecting with colleagues, coworkers, clients, industry leaders and potential partners. Aim for at least 500+ high-quality connections.
Join Targeted LinkedIn Groups
Join at least a few niche industry or special interest groups on LinkedIn aligned with your goals. Engage in thoughtful discussions and connections.
Follow Influential Companies & Thought Leaders
Follow relevant companies, media outlets, nonprofits, trade groups, executives, consultants and thought leaders. Curate your main feed.
Share Your Expertise Via Posts & Articles
Position yourself as an industry thought leader by posting your own insightful content – status updates, photos, links, articles, videos, etc.
Be Active in Managing Perceptions
Check notifications often and aim to thoughtfully respond to comments, likes, shares,mentions, etc. Be proactive in shaping how people perceive you.
Monitor Metrics & Analytics
Use LinkedIn’s analytics to assess page views, post reach, searches and other stats to optimize your presence and activities.
Conclusion
Updating your LinkedIn profile picture provides an easy way to revamp your professional image and online presence. With the right photo, you can put your best face forward for new connections and career opportunities.
The process only takes a few minutes, so don’t be afraid to change your profile photo if your preferences or circumstances evolve. Aim for a high-quality, polished headshot suited to your industry and personal brand.
Paired with other best practices for your LinkedIn profile and engagement, your photo can help advance networking, business relationships and career success on the world’s largest professional networking platform.