We all know that you shouldn’t “judge a book by its cover,” but the truth is that we often do. In the recruiting world, we spend our time using resources to uncover the best talent in the marketplace. One of those tools is LinkedIn and the most prominent part of LinkedIn is the photo. Unfortunately, we often find photos that are not putting our candidates in the best light. So we thought it was time to address the issue with 5 tips to make the most of your LinkedIn Profile Photo.
Why is my LinkedIn photo even that important?
Great question! As the saying goes, “you never get a second chance to make a first impression.” Isn’t that the truth, though? Have you ever wondered how long it takes someone to make that first impression? Science tells us that it takes 1/10th of a second to make a first impression.
1/10th of a second.
Wow. That’s not much time at all, is it? So here is the thing – if you are going to try to win someone over in 1/10th of a second, you’re going to need a great strategy. That’s where we come in.
Use a headshot
There’s a reason this style of photo is called a “headshot” and not a “face shot” or “full body shot”. You want your face to take up no more than 60% of the photo, which means you should also include your neck and your shoulders. An image that is full body or cropped in to just show your face is simply not professional.
Make sure you’re the only one in the photo
Please remember that LinkedIn is not the same as Facebook. I’m sure your Facebook friends love seeing those pictures of you with your spouse, kids or dog, but for a professional photo, refrain from posing with anyone else. Please also avoid using any props, like a gun or a cup of coffee.
Wear professional attire with minimal accessories
Our recruiters always advise our candidates to try to “be remembered for what you said, and not what you looked like.” The best way to do this is with professional attire, and minimal accessories. Ladies should try to keep their makeup neutral and gentlemen should avoid the flashy colored ties. Also, remove those sunglasses, please. While artsy portraits are great to hang up on your wall, they don’t belong on a LinkedIn profile.
Use a neutral background.
Neutral backgrounds do not distract for your face. Remember that 1/10th of a second time frame to make a good first impression? You want to avoid anything that could be distracting.
Wear the color blue.
When you only have a short period of time to make a great impression, it’s good to use every advantage possible. If you are thinking about taking a new headshot to post on your LinkedIn profile, science tells us that the best color to wear is blue.
The color blue represents trust and responsibility. It also gives off the vibe that you are have inner security and confidence. Whether it’s a navy suit, a light blue dress shirt, or maybe even a simple blue tie, what have you got to lose?
If you would like more tips on how to present yourself in the best light, or if you would like for us to review your LinkedIn profile, please reach out to us at info@ess123.com. Our recruiters would love to help!