Your LinkedIn headshot is an essential part of your profile. It's often the first impression someone has of you. It can impact what someone thinks about your competency, likeability and trustworthiness (not unlike the mere seconds it takes to make an impression when walking into a room). How you present yourself through your profile picture can actually influence connecting with others and business and job opportunities.
Your headshot should reflect who you are today, not what you looked like a decade ago or before you lost 25 pounds or got contacts. It should represent you as a professional and speak to where you’re headed in your career. Interested in a board position? Look and dress like you already have a seat at the table. Aiming for the C-suite? Exude confidence and influence. Your headshot is like a visual introduction so always present yourself optimally.
According to LinkedIn, profiles that include a professional looking headshot receive 21X more profile views, 9X more connection requests and 36X more messages. While you might prefer anonymity on other social media, LinkedIn is different -- one of its primary purposes is networking, so it’s vital for people to see you. Practically speaking, omitting a headshot makes it harder for other professional contacts to identify you, which isn't something you want to happen, especially after meeting on video or in person.
If you have a profile picture, but don't know if it’s optimal, consider replacing it with a better one if it includes:
LinkedIn is not Instagram, Facebook or X. Professional presentation here really matters. While using a headshot yields more positive responses than none at all, using a poor headshot can work against you and lower the likelihood that your profile will be viewed or that people will connect or reach out to you. And, a headshot with an overly serious, annoyed or indifferent expression can discourage interaction and opportunities too. People want to engage with someone who looks professional and approachable. (Click here for more tips on how to improve your LinkedIn profile.)
If you don’t have a good quality image, at minimum, ask a colleague, friend or relative to take some shots for you or consider investing in the services of a professional photographer. (You don’t have to spend a fortune to get a great shot either!) You can always reach out to connections with sharp LinkedIn headshots and ask who took their picture.
Regardless of who takes your headshot, it’s important to dress and groom appropriately. Plan your outfit, how to style your hair (and makeup), and either clean shave or trim facial hair. Ensure the lighting and background position you optimally. Ultimately, make sure your photo focuses on your face and takes up at least 60% of the frame.
Your headshot is one of the most important aspects of your LinkedIn profile and a critical element of your personal brand. Don’t miss out on opportunities unnecessarily because you haven't paid attention to your headshot. How you present yourself directly and immediately influences what others think about you, which can be the difference between someone taking a deeper look or skipping over your profile entirely.
