Your LinkedIn Profile Picture
If a recruiter is going through a list of profiles and sees an unprofessional picture, they might skip over that profile, altogether. To be clear, if you’re not looking for a job, then post whatever picture you want. If you are looking for a job, however, then choose your picture wisely. This is my No ‘B’ Rule. No.:
Baseball caps—especially worn backwards
Booze
Bars—neither the traditional walk-in type, nor the swim-up type
Bros—you should be the only person in the photo
Boats or bikes
Body parts that belong to other people—shoulder, chin, hair, ear, hand, elbow…the list goes on
Bare belly—your own or anyone else’s
Back of your head
Bambi or any other animal—domesticated or not
Bathroom accessories of any sort—this includes towel rods, mirrors, showers, bathtubs, and commodes
Beds; nor any bed accoutrements; nor bedroom eyes, gazing into the camera
Bedhead or unkempt hair (styled bedhead looks can be acceptable, however)
Bandeau boob tube or off-the-shoulder tops (FYI, you just look naked)
Biases (visual displays of your political, religious, or ideological leanings; they’re not work related)
Baby pics—yours or your kids’
In addition to any of the above Bs, I recommend you avoid. . .
Having your face in the shade such that you’re indecipherable
Loosening your tie like you’re at the end of a long day
Taking a picture of a picture—it’ll be too grainy
Uploading a low-resolution image—it’ll be pixelated
Frowning or scowling—no one wants to hire the tough guy
Attempting to look studious—even if you are studious, it just comes across weird
Showing your midriff, cleavage, six-pack abs, or any other body part traditionally covered by clothing
Having a drink in your hand or anywhere in the frame
Anything connected to the interior of a car or aircraft
Taking a picture of yourself in front of a mirror such that the phone is also in the picture—find a friend to take the photo
Having anyone else in the picture—it’ll be unclear who’s who
Pretending to talk on the phone
Holding a firearm
Anything related to a wedding
Standing at a lectern, giving a speech or presentation
Holding a microphone—even if it was your best karaoke song ever!
Squinting—it doesn’t make you look thoughtful; it makes you look constipated or flatulent
One memorable profile picture was of a young man wearing a ripped, sleeveless T-shirt and a backward baseball cap. He was sitting on a boat in the middle of a lake, holding a beer, and looking away from the camera. He had so many Bs that I lost count. It’s been 10 years, but I still remember that picture. It’s the benchmark of what not to do. Don’t be a B-rated candidate!
What To Do VS What NOT To Do
A couple of last pointers:
1. Your LinkedIn picture should reflect how you look, today. You don’t want to show up for a video or in-person interview and have the interviewer’s first response be one of surprise because you don’t look like your picture.
2. Your profile photo directly reflects your professionalism and judgment, so pick your pic wisely! If in doubt, it’s better to temporarily use no picture than the wrong picture.
3. Never use a picture with the word Proof stamped across the front; to do so is stealing from the photographer.