Graduation is an important milestone in anyone’s life. After years of hard work and dedication, it’s only natural to want to celebrate this achievement. One common way recent grads do this is by posting graduation photos on social media sites like LinkedIn. But is this a good idea for your professional profile?
The Pros of Posting a Graduation Photo
There are a few potential benefits to posting a graduation picture on LinkedIn:
- It communicates your recent academic accomplishment. Displaying your graduation photo prominently on your profile lets viewers know you recently earned a degree.
- It illustrates a life milestone. Graduation photos capture a significant moment in time. Posting this event shows you’re willing to share an important life moment.
- It proves you have a degree. A graduation photo provides visual evidence you hold the degree listed on your profile. This can enhance your credibility.
- It shows you’re proud of your achievement. Posting a grad photo conveys pride in your academic accomplishment.
- It aligns with the celebratory culture of LinkedIn. Many users share life milestones and achievements on their profiles.
So in many respects, a graduation photo aligns well with LinkedIn’s purpose of giving professionals a place to build their brands and make connections. If used thoughtfully, it can be a positive addition to your profile.
Potential Downsides to Posting a Graduation Photo
However, there are also a few potential downsides to consider:
- It may come across as unprofessional. Graduation photos are sometimes informal, candid shots. Some may think this style seems out of place on a professional profile.
- It can appear boastful. Posting a graduation photo from a prestigious university may inadvertently communicate arrogance.
- It shifts focus away from skills. A grad photo emphasizes academic credentials over professional capabilities.
- It can age your profile. If you don’t update the photo regularly, it may make you seem outdated to viewers.
- It takes up prime real estate. A graduation photo uses profile space that could highlight more relevant skills or experience.
The core purpose of a LinkedIn profile is to get you hired and connect with other professionals. So any content you post should directly support that goal.
Tips for Posting a Graduation Photo on LinkedIn
If you decide to post a graduation photo on LinkedIn, here are a few tips to ensure it adds value to your profile:
- Select a professional-looking photo. Opt for a picture where you’re dressed formally and posing appropriately.
- Crop it to highlight your face. Zoom in on you rather than background elements.
- Add relevant context in the caption. Explain your degree and when you earned it.
- Place it below key sections. Position your grad photo under sections like Skills and Experience.
- Update it annually. Graduate again from an advanced degree program? Swap it out for a fresh grad shot.
- Use it sparingly. One graduation photo is enough. Don’t let it dominate your profile.
- Monitor responses. Notice how viewers respond and remove it if it seems detrimental.
Being thoughtful about how you incorporate a graduation picture can help maximize the benefits and minimize any downsides.
Options Beyond Posting a Graduation Photo
Posting your graduation photo on your LinkedIn profile isn’t the only option for showcasing your academic achievement. Here are some other ways to highlight a recent degree without using a grad photo:
- List your graduation date next to your degree. For example: Bachelor of Arts, Political Science – May 2019.
- Give your education section a prominent position near the top of your profile.
- Include an “Education” banner image featuring the name of your college or university.
- Add the graduation hat achievement badge to your profile.
- Mention your newly earned degree in your professional headline. For example: Recent Business Administration Graduate.
These alternatives call attention to your academic accomplishment while keeping the focus on your professional capabilities.
Conclusion
At the end of the day, whether to post a graduation photo on LinkedIn is a personal choice. Here are a few key things to keep in mind as you decide:
- A grad photo is perfectly acceptable if styled professionally and positioned purposefully on your profile.
- Take care not to let it dominate your profile or outshine more relevant content.
- Monitor feedback from your connections to see how they respond.
- Consider alternative ways to highlight your degree that don’t involve a photo.
Graduation is a major life accomplishment worth celebrating. With a thoughtful approach, you can incorporate a grad photo on LinkedIn while still keeping the focus on your professional capabilities.
