Is this hindering your linkedIn profile?

By now, most of us are pretty comfortable sharing information about ourselves. Professional networks, such as LinkedIn, provide us with a platform for showcasing our careers and the best part is that we control what is seen. So, the question now comes up, why do so many of us not take full advantage of this? Worse yet, why would anyone create a “professional profile” and leave it looking as though it was done by an amateur?

LINKEDIN PROFILES WITHOUT A PROFESSIONAL PHOTO COULD BE HURTING YOUR CHANCES OF GETTING REVIEWED BY MANY RECRUITERS AND DIRECT EMPLOYERS.

If your profile picture doesn’t project a clean, professional image, you’re shooting yourself in the foot. Yes, you’re proud of your family or your pet Golden Retriever, but those photos belong on your desk, not your LinkedIn profile.

SELFIES ARE FOR INSTAGRAM AND FACEBOOK.

If your goal is to project a professional image–which it should be–it’s important to start with a good profile picture. Selfies won’t do. Photos with your best friend mostly cropped out look just as bad, and the one of you holding a margarita…not smart.

In past years it was necessary to use a professional photography studio. Fortunately, getting ahold of a high-resolution camera phone and photo editing software is easy these days, so paying a professional isn’t necessary.

IF YOU CAN’T BE SOMEBODY, DON’T BE A NOBODY.

LinkedIn profiles with no photo get the lowest number of views. It doesn’t matter if yours is a household name–no pic, no click. Humans are visual. A report recently published by The Ladders that tracked eye movement while recruiters viewed online profiles indicates that 19% of a recruiter’s time is spent looking at your profile picture.

Do yourself a favor, and when you finish reading and sharing this post, take an objective look at your own profile picture and spend a few minutes to make it better. It will be time well spent.

If you need professional help to create an effective and quality LinkedIn profile, contact us directly and we can share the services we provide.

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