LinkedIn is the world’s largest professional networking platform, with over 740 million members worldwide. Maintaining an up-to-date LinkedIn profile is crucial for anyone looking to advance their career or find new job opportunities. One important element of your LinkedIn profile is your profile photo – but is it always advisable to have a photo attached to your account? There are pros and cons to consider when deciding whether or not to remove your picture from LinkedIn.
Quick Answers to Key Questions
Is having a profile photo on LinkedIn required?
No, having a profile photo on LinkedIn is optional and not required. You can have a complete profile without adding a photo.
What are the benefits of having a LinkedIn profile photo?
Some benefits of having a profile photo on LinkedIn include:
– Makes your profile more memorable and recognizable
– Shows you are a real, professional person, not a fake account
– Conveys approachability and friendliness
– Helps build your professional brand and identity
– Enables networking contacts to recognize you
– Improves your visibility and credibility on LinkedIn
What are the downsides of having a LinkedIn profile picture?
Some potential downsides of having a profile photo include:
– Opens you up to possible discrimination based on appearance, age, race, etc.
– Poses privacy and identity theft risks if the wrong people access your photo
– Can cause distraction and inappropriate contact if the photo is too casual
– May violate company policy if the photo conveys an unprofessional image
When is it advisable to remove your LinkedIn profile photo?
It may be advisable to remove or not add a profile photo if:
– You are concerned about discrimination or harassment based on your appearance
– You work in an industry or role where anonymity is preferable
– You want to maintain strict privacy and avoid unwarranted contact
– Your employer prohibits the use of profile photos for security reasons
– You want to avoid potential identity theft issues
The Pros of Having a LinkedIn Profile Photo
Displaying a professional headshot on your LinkedIn profile has several potential benefits:
Increases Recognition and Memorability
Having a photo makes your profile stand out more and appear more memorable to others. It offers a visual representation that people can associate with your name and credentials. This helps networking contacts put a face to your name.
Conveys You Are a Real Person
A profile photo signals that there is a real person behind the account who is actively utilizing their LinkedIn presence. This lends credibility versus profiles without photos, which could be misconstrued as fake, outdated, or inactive accounts.
Shows You Are Approachable and Friendly
An appropriate professional photo with a smile conveys warmth, approachability, and friendliness. This can help in networking efforts when connecting with new contacts. It presents you as someone who is open to communicating with others.
Helps Build Your Professional Brand
Your profile photo allows you to control how you visually represent yourself professionally on LinkedIn. You can convey your personal brand by choosing a high-quality, polished photo that aligns with the image you want to project to colleagues and peers.
Enables Recognition in Real-Life Interactions
Having a profile photo enables existing connections and colleagues to recognize you and put a face to your name when meeting you in-person at events, conferences, interviews, etc.
Improves Visibility and Credibility
Profiles with photos tend to get higher visibility in LinkedIn searches compared to those without. People also perceive profiles as more credible when a photo is attached.
The Cons of Having a LinkedIn Profile Photo
While there are advantages to posting a profile photo on LinkedIn, there are also some potential drawbacks to consider:
Risk of Discrimination
Unfortunately, discrimination based on appearance, ethnicity, age, gender, or other attributes can happen, whether consciously or subconsciously. A profile photo exposes aspects of your appearance, which could lead to biased treatment.
Privacy and Identity Theft Risks
A profile photo gives anyone who views your profile visibility into your appearance. This introduces privacy concerns and the small risk of identity theft if the wrong person accessed your photo.
Inappropriate Contact
Some people may try to make inappropriate contact based on your profile photo. This is more likely if the photo is too casual, personal, or conveyed unintended impressions.
Conveying an Unprofessional Image
Posting an overly casual, sloppy, or inappropriate photo can inadvertently project an unprofessional image that works against your career goals. Anything conveying excessive skin, partying, etc. should be avoided.
Violating Company Policy
Some employers prohibit employees from posting profile pictures on LinkedIn or other networks. Reasons relate to security, propriety, branding consistency, or other concerns. Violating company policy could result in disciplinary action.
When to Remove Your LinkedIn Photo
Here are some situations where removing your LinkedIn profile photo may be warranted:
To Reduce Discrimination Concerns
If you feel your appearance is subjecting you to unfair discrimination or unconscious bias during networking, hiring processes, or within your company, removing your photo could help reduce this risk.
Maintaining Anonymity is Preferable
For certain types of public-facing or sensitive roles, maintaining anonymity may be preferable. Examples include political activists, journalists, government workers, etc. Removing a photo helps keep a lower profile.
Extra Privacy is Desired
If you want to keep a very low public profile and keep your appearance private for security or personal reasons, it makes sense to remove your profile photo.
Company Policy Restrictions
If your employer prohibits display of profile photos as a policy, you should remove your LinkedIn photo to remain compliant. Violating policy could risk disciplinary action.
Concerns Over Identity Theft
If you feel that displaying your appearance on your profile could increase risks of identity theft, removing the photo eliminates visibility and helps guard against unauthorized use of your image.
Tips for Posting a Professional LinkedIn Photo
If you decide to post a profile photo on LinkedIn, here are some tips for choosing an appropriate, professional image:
Use a Clear Headshot Looking at the Camera
Have a current, high-quality headshot where you are facing the camera directly. Blurred and side-facing photos are less engaging.
Dress Professionally
Wear professional, business attire consistent with your industry and avoid anything too casual. Solid colors generally work better than busy patterns.
Watch the Background
Choose a plain background without distractions. A solid color wall or blurring the background typically works best.
Check Lighting
Avoid shadows on your face. Face the light source directly for even illumination with no harsh shadows. Diffused lighting is ideal.
Maintain Good Posture
Sit or stand straight to convey professional presence. Do not slouch or tilt your head at an angle. Keep your chin parallel to the ground.
Smile Genuinely
Project a natural, warm smile to look approachable and engaging to others viewing your profile. Don’t force an unnatural smile.
Maintain Neutral Backgrounds
The focus should be on you. Busy or distracting backgrounds compete for attention. A solid wall, blurring, or medium tone neutral backdrop is best.
Watch Perspective and Framing
Your head, neck, and shoulders should fill most of the frame. Check that your head is not cut off and there is space above your head.
Focus on Your Face
Maintain eye contact with the camera and keep your face forward. Looking downward, sideways, or putting your face in shadow undermines the photo.
Avoid Selfies and Group Shots
Selfies and group shots are unprofessional. Have a photographer take a quality headshot specifically suited for a LinkedIn profile photo.
Be Conscious of Image Impressions
Evaluate what messages or impressions your photo may unconsciously convey to others before posting. Remove photos that could have unintended connotations.
Examples of LinkedIn Profile Photos to Avoid
Here are some types of LinkedIn profile pictures you should avoid using:
Selfies
Selfies taken at odd, distorting angles tend to look unprofessional. Profile photos should have higher production value.
Group Shots
Avoid group shots with other people as this looks informal. You want the focus solely on you.
Casual Attire
Photos in casual clothing like shorts, ripped jeans, sweats, revealing tops, etc. undermine the professionalism of your profile.
Distracting Backgrounds
Photos with cluttered backgrounds divert attention. Use solid, neutral backdrops to keep focus on you.
Provocative Poses
Seductive gazing at the camera, kissing gestures, or other flirtatious poses are highly inappropriate for a professional profile photo.
Party Pictures
Images holding alcohol, wearing costumes, and in party contexts are unwise as they imply unprofessionalism.
Blurry or Pixelated Photos
Choose a high-quality, crisp image. Blurry or pixelated photos will reflect poorly on your professional standards.
Bathroom Mirror Selfies
Photos taken in a bathroom mirror background look sloppy. Have your photo taken by a professional photographer.
Cars or Pets
The only living thing that should be in your profile photo is you. Leave pets, vehicles, and other objects out of the shot.
Cartoon or Avatar Images
Using a cartoon image or avatar instead of a professional photograph makes you seem less credible.
How to Remove Your LinkedIn Profile Photo
Removing your LinkedIn profile photo only takes a few quick steps:
1. Log into your LinkedIn account on a desktop. Click on your profile photo in the top navigation bar.
2. In the dropdown menu that appears, click ‘Remove’. This deletes your existing profile photo.
3. Click ‘Save’. Your profile photo slot will now appear empty with no picture attached.
4. Optionally, upload a blank or placeholder image to fill the photo slot if you prefer that appearance versus completely removing it.
Your profile photo should now be successfully removed from your LinkedIn profile. The change should reflect immediately across your profile and posts. If needed, you can always upload a new professional photo in the future.
Expert Advice on LinkedIn Profile Photos
Here is some guidance from human resources and career experts on whether or not to use a profile photo on LinkedIn:
Monica Lewis, HR Director
“A friendly, personable profile photo on LinkedIn can help build professional relationships, but also opens you up somewhat to unconscious bias during networking or hiring processes. It’s ultimately a personal choice candidates need to make based on their comfort level and career circumstances.”
Mark Thompson, Professional Resume Writer
“In most cases, I recommend posting a high-quality, career-oriented profile photo on LinkedIn to boost your visibility and recognizability. However, exceptions can be made where privacy or employer restrictions warrant leaving the photo off.”
Sarah Bell, Recruiter
“Profiles with professional-looking headshots tend to gain much more engagement and responses. But improper photos can indeed hurt your brand. The safest option is to keep questionable photos off your profile unless they directly support your professional qualifications.”
Lisa Chen, Career Coach
“The main priority is making sure your photo aligns with the image you want to project for your career. Periodic reviews of your photo are a good idea as your goals and work situations evolve over time.”
Key Takeaways
– Having a profile photo on LinkedIn is optional – the platform does not require it.
– Potential pros include increased recognition, credibility, approachability and personal branding.
– Potential cons include discrimination, privacy/security risks, unprofessional image, and employer policy violations.
– Reasons to remove your photo include reducing discrimination, maintaining anonymity, increasing privacy, and complying with company restrictions.
– If posting a photo, choose high-quality, professional, career-oriented images to get the most benefit.
– Weigh the tradeoffs carefully and periodically review your choice based on your career circumstances and priorities.
Conclusion
The choice of whether to have a profile photo on LinkedIn comes with both advantages and risks to evaluate. Look at your specific situation, industry norms and sensitivities, and how you want to manage your online professional presence. Get feedback from mentors and advisers to decide the best option. Remain thoughtful of the impressions conveyed. With the right considerations, you can make an informed decision that optimizes how you present yourself on LinkedIn to reach your career goals.
