A photo is a vital part of each individual's professional presentation. This also applies to profiles on the LinkedIn social network. If you are currently looking for a job or want to make a good impression on some important people in your field, your photo on LinkedIn will be the first thing these people can see when they start to look for you on the Internet. Remember that they need no more than two seconds top make a judgment about you.
The CBS News website asked Nicole Williams, Connection Director at the LinkedIn company, for advice. According to her, a good profile picture radiates positive energy. Therefore, she advises to sit up straight, open your eyes, smile and think of something you really enjoy when taking the photo. Someone in front of whom you can relax and act naturally should take the picture.
If you have no photo in your profile, consider very well why this is so. Not having a profile photo is the worst option you can choose according to Williams. No photo automatically raises an uncomfortable feeling that you have something to hide and therefore you are untrustworthy. You are also untrustworthy when your profile photo is an animated picture or a photo on which you are with your child or your pet. The same applies for old photographs on which you does not look like yourself anymore.
Your profile photo should be selected with regard to the field you work or want to work in. Each field requires a certain look, whether it's a specific haircut, or type of clothing. Consider also what can be seen behind you or around you on the photo, everything should look professionally. Generally, color photos are more energetic and more pleasant than black-and-white ones.
-Kk-