Having an eye-catching yet professional LinkedIn profile photo is crucial for making a good first impression in the digital world. With over 740 million members on LinkedIn, standing out from the crowd with a polished headshot can help you network, find job opportunities, and grow your personal brand. But how professional should your photo actually be? What style works best? Let’s explore some tips for choosing the right LinkedIn profile picture.
The Importance of a Professional Photo
Your LinkedIn profile photo is one of the first things people will notice when visiting your page. It offers visual representation of your brand and personality. Recruiters, potential employers, business contacts, and colleagues will likely form initial opinions based on your headshot. So putting thought into what photo best conveys professionalism for your industry is key.
Studies show that profiles with photos receive up to 21 times more profile views and nine times more connection requests. The ideal photo will catch the eye while remaining appropriate. Aim to look polished and approachable – not too formal or casual. Your photo should complement your LinkedIn brand rather than distract from it.
Key Tips for an Ideal Headshot
- Make eye contact with the camera for an engaging, confident look.
- Wear professional attire in neutral colors that represent your industry.
- Style your hair neatly and avoid heavy makeup.
- Pose with good posture and a friendly facial expression.
- Ensure the background is simple and not distracting.
- The photo should clearly show your face – no sunglasses.
- Pick a current photo that reflects how you look today.
How Formal Should You Look?
There are varying degrees of formality that may be appropriate for a LinkedIn profile picture depending on your profession. While a suit and tie may be expected in law or finance, such rigid attire could seem overly stuffy for those in tech, advertising, or media roles. The goal is to select a photo that projects an approachable image that aligns with your industry culture.
Conservative Industries
For conservative fields like law, accounting, banking, etc. men should wear a dark suit and tie while women can opt for a blazer over a modest blouse or dress. Solid neutral colors and minimal accessories work best against a plain backdrop. Portraying authority is key.
Less Formal Industries
Workers in more casual industries could wear business casual attire like khakis or slacks with a button-down or blouse. Avoid wild prints or distracting patterns. Keep jewelry minimal. Tech workers may forego a suit jacket and tie for a more relatable, creative vibe. The photo background should also match the culture.
Creative Fields
Those in highly creative roles like design, entertainment, or media/PR have more leeway for a stylish yet polished look. More accessorizing and visible tattoos may be acceptable if it aligns with your brand image. Still aim for smart separates over rumpled shirts.
What to Avoid in Your LinkedIn Photo
While you want a photo that stands out, there are certain elements that compromise an overly casual, inappropriate, or unprofessional look:
- Avoid casual tops like t-shirts, sweatshirts, etc. even if “dressing down” is more accepted in your work culture.
- Steer clear of loud prints, distracting patterns, or clashing colors.
- Do not wear low-cut, sleeveless, or revealing tops.
- Skip the cocktail attire – no spaghetti straps or party dresses.
- Say no to recreational or outdoor wear like sports jerseys, athletic gear, swimsuits, etc.
- Do not include other people, logos, objects or backgrounds that draw focus away from you.
- Avoid sunglasses or hats that conceal your face.
- Skip the selfies, inappropriate gestures, or shameless glamour shots.
Photo Composition Tips
Once you’ve selected the right look for your industry, execute it flawlessly with these composition tips:
- Get a professional headshot taken rather than a casual selfie.
- Crop the image closely around your head and shoulders.
- Ensure your face is well-lit and clearly visible.
- Make eye contact directly with the camera lens.
- Relax your facial muscles for a pleasant, natural expression.
- Frame yourself facing front and center – not angled.
- Stand with straight, confident posture – no slouching.
- Opt for soft focus with minimal shadowing or glare.
- Pick a plain, solid background that won’t distract.
Should You Include a Caption?
While not required, a caption can add context and personality to your LinkedIn profile photo. You have 120 characters of space below the image to include a name, role, tagline or quote that captures your essence. This allows you to brand the photo beyond the visuals. However, a caption should enhance not distract from the professional tone.
Caption Tips
- Introduce or reinforce your name and professional title.
- Summarize your experience or expertise in a few words.
- Add your company name or industry.
- Include a motivating quote or philosophy.
- Stick to relevant keywords – no emojis or jokes.
- Use first person language to sound approachable.
- Keep the text short and compelling.
Should You Smile or Look Serious?
Facial expression is another important aspect of your LinkedIn profile photo. A smile makes you seem warm and approachable. But go too wide with the grin and you can come across as insincere. On the flip side, don’t scowl or look overly stern. The ideal pose lands somewhere in the middle – a pleasant neutral expression.
Tips for an Appropriate Facial Expression
- Relax your face – no forced, tight smiles or blank stares.
- Lift your chin slightly and direct your gaze at the camera.
- Part your lips slightly for a more welcoming look.
- Aim for a soft smile by thinking of something that makes you happy.
- Project confidence through a steady gaze, not by grimacing.
- Avoid wide toothy grins which can look unnatural.
- Keep eyebrows relaxed – do not furrow.
How Often Should You Update Your Photo?
While you don’t need to swap your LinkedIn profile photo daily, keeping it updated as your look evolves is wise. Major changes in hairstyles, coloring, facial hair, weight, or age can make your photo seem misleading if not refreshed.
In general, plan to take a new headshot every 2-3 years. Or refresh it anytime you change roles or companies. Updates are also recommended if you can enhance the quality – better lighting, higher resolution, improved pose, etc.
You want the photo to reflect how you look today, not display an outdated version. But avoid updating too frequently as that can seem odd.
When to Schedule a New LinkedIn Photo Shoot
- You’ve dramatically changed your hairstyle or color.
- You’ve grown or removed a beard, mustache or goatee.
- You’ve gained or lost significant weight.
- You noticeably age over time.
- You switch employers or career paths.
- Your clothing, jewelry or background feels dated.
- Image quality, lighting or resolution degrades.
- Your facial expression or pose could be improved.
Examples of Professional LinkedIn Photos
The best way to get a feel for how professional to make your LinkedIn profile photo is to browse examples. Here are some ideal headshots showcasing polish while fitting various industries:
| Industry | Example Photo |
|---|---|
| Finance |  |
| Law |  |
| Technology |  |
| Healthcare |  |
Get Feedback Before Uploading
Since your LinkedIn profile photo leaves an important first impression, get objective feedback before publishing your headshot. Ask trusted colleagues, mentors, or professionals in your network to review the photo.
Questions to ask:
- Does the image quality look professional?
- Is the lighting, focus and framing well-done?
- Does my facial expression project confidence and approachability?
- Is my posture tall and confident, not slouching?
- Does my attire, makeup, and background seem appropriate for my industry and role?
- Does this photo represent my brand and personality well?
Implement any constructive critique before uploading the final image to maximize your profile’s visual impact.
Conclusion
Your LinkedIn profile photo is a vitally important first impression. Investing time into selecting an image that projects polish and professionalism for your industry can help attract opportunities. Follow the tips above regarding attire, composition, facial expression, captions, and regular updates to showcase the best version of yourself on LinkedIn.