A picture is worth a thousand words.

10 Types of LinkedIn Profile Pictures

LinkedIn is known as the professional social network and your profile picture should be just that – professional. What does your LinkedIn profile picture say about you? Below are ten types of profile pictures from that say more about you than you think.

1. No Profile Picture: How disappointing!  Whoever has posted their information has not even bothered to find a decent photo.  What are they hiding?  I have encountered worries that their picture may cause viewers to discriminate, or they may not feel particularly photogenic, but there should be something there. You may need to be imaginative, but leaving it blank causes us to wonder why.
2. Poor Quality Picture:Not all of us may be Photoshop gurus, but blurred images, stretched or squashed images, poor lighting or so much red-eye that it reminds you of a Hammer House of Horror movie?  To me, this just says ‘This will do!  I will just slap this picture on there!’  Would that be your thought about going to an interview or going into an important business meeting?  Probably not.
3. Inappropriate Setting: If you have a picture of yourself with a bar in the background, it is a risk. Remember ‘first impressions last’ – nobody will judge you if you go out on the weekend, or have a busy social life, but it doesn’t belong in a professional setting.
4. A Picture, but you’re not in it:A portrait of your children, a car, a cat!  This is not Facebook!  People want to see you, this is your profile.
5. A Company Logo:This is more of a judgment call.  You may be in business, but is this the place for your logo?  You can create a company page for your company on LinkedIn.
6. The selfie in the mirror pic: Just please, save your smug, snapped-in-the-bathroom mirror head-to-toe selfies for Facebook. They make you look like an amateur on LinkedIn, even if you look like a boss in your hipster Hugo Boss slim fit suit, or so you think. Come on, by now you should know that selfies of any kind are way too casual for LinkedIn. #wrongplatform
7. The 'I'm so serious I hate life' pic: Never post a profile pic that makes you look incredibly intense, intimidating serious or, worst of all, pissed off. There are enough mug shot-worthy frowner-downers littering LinkedIn already. Instead, post a happy (but not too I-just-won-the-lottery happy) headshot that shows off what Richard Branson calls your “competitive advantage” your smile. Go on; let your pearly whites shine!

With a nice, relaxed smile on your face, you generally come off as more approachable and trustworthy, someone a potential employer (or investor or business partner) might be more willing to give a chance. As I once read in a fortune cookie from Hot Wok, “there’s magic in your smile.” It’s scientifically proven. Use it to your advantage.

   8. The full-body action pic: I’m not going to name names (I’m not thatmean), but a LinkedIn user I maybe, kind of, sort of might be connected with is half-squatting, half-lunging in her profile pic. In a baggy T-shirt and Spandex leggings. On a cracked cement driveway. Yep, like a cat-like Crossfit ninja warrior about to pounce...  just after this quick yoga pose, k? Granted she’s a black belt and a personal trainer (who, er, could easily choke me out at my son's Birthday party and just might if she reads this), but squatting? On LinkedIn? Really? Just no.

Let’s just stick with vanilla headshots, shall we? They’re more appropriate for the venue. Full body shots, awkwardly posed or not, pack too much weird factor, a vibe you probably don’t want to give off, at least not professionally. Not unless you’re an actual ninja.

   9. The 'Oops, I cropped my shot' pic: Technically, you’re more than just a face. You’re a person. A whole person with brains in your head, feet in your shoes and you can post any LinkedIn profile pic you choose. That is, we hope, except for one that oddly crops off the top of your head or the bottom of your chin. Or your ears. You get the full picture. Show your face, your whole face and nothing but your face. Or so help you job, the one you could have gotten (or kept) because you looked the part on LinkedIn.

and finally my favorite.....

  10.  The 'Say hello to my kitty' pic: Here’s an easy rule to remember: Unless you’re a vet, please don’t pose with your pet. As much as you adore Count Fluffy McFlufferton, I’m sorry; he’s not LinkedIn profile material. You are. Just you. Save your furball’s whisker-licious glamour shots for Tag a Cat, the new Tinder for cats.  

Now with all that being said go forth LinkedIn connections and put your best face forward! Also, be sure to contact me if you are looking for an exciting opportunity in the Mortgage Industry. (Shameless plug. I know, I know)