LinkedIn career expert Catherine Fisher shares 5 rules for an impactful profile photo.
During my sessions about visibility issues 2.0, optimising my clients' profile on LinkedIn is a key area whether you're making a career change in-house or looking for new opportunities. But all too often we focus on our profile during periods of change when managing your image is a long-term endeavour and your area of influence grows with regular practice and attention.
Today I'd like to discuss your LinkedIn profile photo. It may seem obvious but scroll through profiles and you'll see that lots of you haven't completely grasped the rules in terms of optimising your profile, especially your professional profile photo.
Here's some advice from Catherine Fisher, LinkedIn's career expert, about taking the perfect photo for your profile to get your dream job or improve your image and raise your profile. First of all, you should know having one makes your profile 14 times more likely to be viewed by employers. That's how important it is!
Here are 5 tips for looking better in your profile photo from Catherine Fisher, LinkedIn's career expert:
Règle #1
Use a white background
« Using natural lighting and a white wall as your background are key. Cut the distractions and crop in close so people can instantly recognise your face. » says Catherine.
Règle #2
Don't wear inappropriate clothing
« Choose clothing appropriate to the industry you want to work in. If you're applying for a job in the fashion industry you can skew slightly trendy with your outfit, but for a position in the financial sector you should wear a suit. »
Règle #3
Refrain from posting selfies
You can use selfies to get likes on your Instagram account but not for work.
« You can get a great photo with your phone by simply enlisting a friend to help or propping up the phone and setting a timer. »
Règle #4
Don't use examples of your work as a profile photo
« You should have a great photo of yourself on your profile and upload examples of your work separately. If you're a special-effects makeup artist, having a photo of a character would be misleading. Your profile photo should be approachable and show who you are as person. »
Règle #5
Take a photo that best represents you
It's a chance to promote yourself.
« What people need to remember is that context matters, and this is a professional site. You are representing yourself as a brand so you should not have pictures from your beach vacation or hanging out with friends. The people looking at your profile are your potential partners, employers or employees so you want to make sure everything you post enhances your professional—not personal—life. »
I'd also add a few personal tips:
#View
Keep it simple. A full face or ¾ view is best
Avoid high or low angle views (usually very unflattering)
#Pose
Avoid crossing your arms although we shouldn't see them anyway as you want a close-up so we see your face as clearly as possible.
#Hair and make-up
I always advocate one of my golden rules in this area: less is more!
#Smile
You don't need to have a big grin on your face. Use an expression that exudes confidence and calm. Think the Mona Lisa!
So the idea is to take a photo that reflects your personality, inspires confidence and professionalism and sticks to the rules I've given you to get maximum views.
Now, grab your camera!
f you think you'd be better off entrusting professionals to get it right, I recommend Portrait 2.0, an agency specialising in portrait 2.0 and digital images.
photo credit: Steven Klein
