Choosing the right background picture for your LinkedIn profile can be tricky. With over 800 million users, LinkedIn is the world’s largest professional networking platform. Your profile background image is often the first thing people notice when visiting your page. Having an eye-catching yet professional background photo can help you stand out and make a great first impression. But with so many options to choose from, how do you pick the perfect LinkedIn background image? This article will provide tips and ideas to help you select an effective LinkedIn profile background that aligns with your personal brand and career goals.
Why your LinkedIn background image matters
Your LinkedIn background photo serves several important functions:
- It’s a visual representation of your personal brand – Your background image should reflect your professional identity and industry. It’s a way to showcase your personality while maintaining a polished, corporate aesthetic.
- It makes your profile stand out – With a sea of LinkedIn profiles out there, custom background images help yours grab attention and be more memorable.
- It complements your profile – The image should work cohesively with your profile photo, headline, and about section to tell a consistent story about you.
- It conveys your interests and aspirations – Background photos allow you to highlight passions, hobbies, causes, or industries you’re interested in pursuing.
In short, your background photo makes an impression. You want it to send the right message about who you are and what you aim to achieve in your career.
Tips for selecting a LinkedIn background image
When evaluating background photo options, keep these tips in mind:
Reflect your personal brand
As mentioned, your background image should align with your professional identity and public persona. For example, if you’re an accountant, an image related to numbers, finance, or accounting conveys your field. If you’re a graphic designer, opt for a visually dynamic graphic.
Use high-quality images
Blurry, pixelated photos will cheapen the look of your profile. Invest time finding a crisp, high-resolution image that looks professional when stretched across a large background.
Avoid busy or distracting images
A background filled with too many colors, patterns, objects, or people can overwhelm. Try to select a photo with visual simplicity. You want the focus to be on your profile content.
Showcase interests or aspirations
Think about industries, topics, causes, hobbies, or locations you’re passionate about. Images related to these things allow viewers to connect with you on a more personal level. Just ensure they’re still appropriate for a professional profile.
Use relevant images
When possible, incorporate imagery directly related to your target field. For example, if you’re a finance executive, an image of a stock market graph or Wall Street could work well.
Avoid inappropriate or offensive images
LinkedIn is a professional platform. Be thoughtful about perceptions around things like politics, religious symbols, substances, nudity etc. When in doubt, get a second opinion.
Background photo ideas and examples
Here are some ideas to spark inspiration for your LinkedIn background:
Nature landscapes
Nature photos like mountains, forests, lakes, beaches, or horizons make timeless choices. They have a calming effect and work for any industry. Just avoid overly edited or exotic images. The focus should remain on you.
Cityscapes
An urban landscape of your current city or a city you’ve lived in tells viewers where you’re based and connected. It personalizes your profile and conveys your lifestyle.
Industry imagery
As mentioned, photos directly related to your industry or company help reinforce your professional identity. Pictures of tech gadgets, medical settings, financial elements, or other relevant industry motifs work very well.
Textures or patterns
Less literal backgrounds like a wood, marble, or geometric pattern look modern and stylish. Textures also make good subtle personal brand backgrounds.
Quotes
Meaningful quotes, mantras, or sayings you connect make your profile more intimate. Just keep fonts simple and text short.
Hobbies or passions
Showcase aspirational images from industries you’re interested in, causes you support, sports you play, places you’ve traveled, or any hobbies. This allows connections beyond just your job.
Ideal image types and sizes
LinkedIn recommends these specifications for optimal background images:
- File type: JPG or PNG
- Dimensions: At least 1400 x 425 pixels
- File size: 8MB maximum
- Orientation: Landscape / horizontal rectangle
- Color mode: RGB
Landscape images spanning the full width of your profile tend to work best. Your photo will automatically resize to fit different screens.
Where to find quality background photos
Need help finding a stellar LinkedIn background image? Consider these sources:
Stock photo websites
Stock image sites like Getty Images, iStock, Shutterstock, Adobe Stock or Unsplash offer extensive libraries of high-quality, royalty-free photos. Just watch for any usage rights.
Original photography
Take a quality photograph yourself that represents your brand. Or hire a photographer to do an individual or themed shoot. This guarantees a unique image.
Graphic design
You can also commission a graphic designer to create an abstract geometric pattern, typography image, or visual scene tailored specifically to you.
Online image tools
If you have a quality photo you like, use editing tools like PicMonkey or Canva to refine it with filters, text, graphic elements, and resizing for LinkedIn. Some also provide stock options.
Do’s and don’ts for LinkedIn background images
To make sure your background image helps rather than harms your profile, keep these guidelines in mind:
DO:
- Select a photo consistent with your personal brand
- Use a high-quality, professional looking image
- Keep it simple and avoid clutter
- Make it relevant to your industry or interests
- Showcase your lifestyle, location, or passions
- Get feedback from colleagues if uncertain
DON’T:
- Use amateurish or pixelated images
- Choose overly complicated or distracting photos
- Include inappropriate or controversial content
- Reuse stock photos seen on many profiles
- Forget to periodically update your image
Following these dos and don’ts will ensure your background photo is an asset, not a liability.
Customizing your background further
Once you’ve selected a stellar background image, a few additional tweaks can help polish your profile:
Profile photo coordination
Try to use background and profile photos that coordinate. Consistent color schemes, locations, or styles make your page look coherent.
Transparency effect
Applying a slight transparency effect (50-70% opacity) to your background image allows your profile/cover photos and text to stand out while still showing the image.
Call-to-action buttons
LinkedIn allows you to overlay customizable buttons linking to your website or offers. They enable viewers to conveniently click to your content.
Change up your background regularly
Don’t forget to switch up your LinkedIn background photo periodically. This gives your profile a fresh look and provides new conversation starters for connections. Shoot for updating it every 3 to 6 months.
Conclusion
Your LinkedIn background photo provides a major first impression for profile visitors. An eye-catching, on-brand image makes your profile stand out while complementing your professional identity and career aspirations.
Look for high-quality, uncluttered photos relevant to your field and interests. Follow size and type guidelines for an optimal look across devices. And don’t be afraid to get creative in showcasing your unique personality and brand. With the right background image, you can make your LinkedIn profile picture-perfect.
