How to get your LinkedIn Photo Money Shot!
Anyone who does not have a LinkedIn photo and has read my post from February 12, 2015, “Would You Want to Hire this Person?” should now be making plans to add a LinkedIn photo to their profile. Right??? Yes?? Great! Now, we can move on to making sure that your LinkedIn photo is EPIC!” There are several things you should think about when either evaluating your current LinkedIn photo or when you are about to take a new one.
1. You are the STAR
No other people should be in the frame of your LinkedIn photo. Even if there were originally other people in your photo and you have cut or cropped them out, you still shouldn’t use the photo. The reason for this is that when others are cropped out, your body is usually tilted at an odd angle and it is obvious someone else used to be in the photo.
2. Good lighting
Take your photo in a well-lit area to ensure that people are able to see you clearly. Your LinkedIn photo should never look like it was taken in a nightclub.
3. You are looking directly into the camera
Don’t let your creativity get in the way of having a professional LinkedIn identity. You may think it’s cute that you’re looking into the sunset in your LinkedIn photo, but it’s really not. Always look directly into the lens for the most professional image.
4. No Selfies Please
LinkedIn is not the place to showcase your selfie skills. Save the selfies for Facebook and Instagram. Take the time to have someone else take your photo.
5. No photo treatments
We live in the age of technology where the average person can do anything and everything to alter a photo. However, on LinkedIn keep it simple. Don’t add any filters, colors, or other treatments to your photo.
6. Show your personality
Let your personality shine. Don’t try to be someone you’re not. Don’t feel obligated to have a toothy grin in your photo if that is not who you are. However, you should always try to look approachable and friendly.
7. Do some benchmarking
Ensure that your photo is appropriate for your chosen industry. Take a look at the photos of other professionals in the same industry and/or company. Take note of what their photos look like and try to mirror that as much as possible.
8. Keep your photo updated
As a rule of thumb change your LinkedIn photo every 2-3 years if there are no major changes to your appearance. If your appearance has changed in a significant way, then you should update your photo to reflect the way you look at that point in time.
9. Make sure your facial features can be seen clearly
The focus of the photo (your face) should be easily seen. You don’t want to look distant, forcing someone to squint to see your facial features. For the same reason that you shouldn’t look like you are too far away, you also shouldn’t look like you are too close to the camera. Your face should not look as if it is smashed into the camera lens. Maintain a comfortable distance that is easy on the eye of the reader.
10. Groom yourself
Treat your LinkedIn photo as if you are going on an interview with your #1 company. Strive to look your best. Get a fresh haircut, tame fly-a-way hair, trim/cut your mustache or beard if you have one, and iron your shirt or blouse.
11. No-no's that require no explanation
Never use a photo that……resembles a mugshot…is taken while intoxicated…shows cleavage…shows chest hair…has squinting eyes…shows you slouching against a wall or in a chair…has weird angles
When taking your LinkedIn photo, capture multiple shots so that you have options to choose from. It also doesn’t hurt to have a friend, colleague, or trusted mentor there with you to provide feedback on the best angles and backgrounds. Remember that you don’t need to pay hundreds of dollars for a professional to take your LinkedIn photo, but your photo must be professional! Good luck!