Your profile picture has just a few seconds to make an impression on recruiters browsing LinkedIn and Handshake. Make certain that their first impression of you is a polished, professional image.
Best practices suggest that when you’re actively job hunting or promoting yourself on social media sites, using the same profile image across platforms ensures consistent branding and makes it easier for people to recognize you. But even if you opt for a more familiar presence on your more social channels, make a thoughtful choice when it comes to your headshot on sites related to hiring and networking.
Use these tips to choose a great photograph of yourself for your professional online presence. A polished profile picture …
- Has a clean, uncluttered background. If the background to your photograph is busy or complicated, you will not be the focal point of the photo.
- Is just you. Select a shot that features a clean image of you only. Don’t crop someone or something else out of the picture; the photo is a dedicated picture of you.
- Centers on your head and upper torso with your eyes visible and looking toward the camera. Someone who has seen your picture online should be able to recognize you in person when you meet.
- Is well-lit with clear resolution. Photos that are grainy or backlit won’t make you look edgy or sophisticated. Instead, they will encourage a recruiter to skip on to the next person.
- Showcases something about your personality. The color you wear, how dressed up you are, your smile, and the way you fix your hair all add up to a non-verbal verifications that you’re someone others in your industry would like to work with.
- LinkedIn Pro tip: Customize your background photo to stand out, engage attention, and express your professional personality or passions.
- LinkedIn pro tip #2: Be sure your headline is more than just a job title or “student at X College.” You have 220 characters to say who you are and what you’re about and what you intend to pursue professionally.
- Looks like you. If you’re a fourth year and you are relying on your high school senior portrait, it’s likely that you’ve changed. Similarly, if you’ve radically changed hair color or grown a beard, choose a picture that represents how you look today.
- Is not a selfie. Ask someone else to help you with taking the actual photograph.
Your profile picture does not need to be a professional headshot. While a professional photographer often has the best results, you with your phone and a good friend can intentionally set up and work together to create a great photograph. When you have a few to choose from, get feedback from friends, co-workers, and your CLS adviser for which one to use as your profile picture.
