What your LinkedIn picture says about you

So......the LinkedIn picture. What do you do? What does it say about you? And what do people think when they see it?

As you can imagine, I look at a lot of LinkedIn profiles and see the pictures that go with them. We shouldn't judge a book by its cover but it's inevitable and people do. If you think people don't, read Malcolm Gladwell's 'Blink'.

I understand that some people are more confident in front of a camera than others and that some people are fortunate enough to know a good photographer or have a decent picture taken of them when others aren't. That said, I'm a keen photographer, the iPhone takes a good picture and I’m certainly not a model!

So when we look at a picture, what goes through our mind? Let's look at some of the different types. 

1. The pro

Good effort. You care what others think and you’ve gone the extra mile. It’s fair to say that most C level Execs, MDs and Sales Directors have good pictures, often taken specifically for LinkedIn. Immediately you look at these and think "there's a top person".

2. The decent one taken by your mate using their phone

Fair enough. Like I said before, I know professional photos aren't an option for some and this is the next best thing. It shows that you've been thoughtful about what you want people's first impressions of you to be.

3. The phone selfie

It’s you, with your phone in a mirror or even worse held at arms length like you’re on a beach. I think these are rubbish. They look like you can't be bothered. You didn’t even think about standing your phone up and using a timer. It would have taken an extra minute and looked a lot more professional.

4. The drawing

Interesting. Why? Do you want to stand out? Are you an artist? Are you uncomfortable being you?

Those are my first impressions but I know that others first impressions will think this is a very creative thing to do.

5. The side on

Why aren’t you looking at the camera? It might be an eye issue (I had one but still looked square on). There’s one photo I’ve seen of a man, let's call him Ben who has sunglasses on and is looking into the distance like he’s off Top Gun - how arrogant!

6.The sunglasses

Come on, really? Do you wear them in a business meeting or at your desk? LinkedIn is a social platform yes. But it is a social platform for professionals and sunglasses does not reflect this in the slightest.

7. The Facebook copy and paste

Again, come on. Make an effort. Yes, we’re mildly interesting in you eating a huge slice of pizza or you outside 10 Downing Street but not that interested. And again, this doesn't tell me anything about your professionalism.

8. The LinkedIn avatar

This is the most interesting one and I’m sure there are lots of different reasons, good and bad that mean people use them. 

9. The outside of work

You’re getting married, on the beach with your kids, with your dog or walking up a hill. Save it for Facebook.

10. The sports star

‘Check me out’ I think Maslow would refer to this as self actualisation and in the case of LinkedIn it shows that you’re more than just your work. Well, guess what? I want to know about your work and that’s why I looked you up.

11. The car shot

Ah, so you’ve got a car with leather seats... Woopey do! Well done for getting a nice car, but trust me, the more expensive your car is doesn't equal the more important you are!

So the key point with the LinkedIn photo is, don’t think about what you’re trying to portray, think about what people think in that first one second when they see your picture. They’re not looking at you, they don’t care what you look like but they do care how you are projecting yourself and that’s a subconscious reaction. Do you want them to contact you as your role as a business professional or not?

Let me know your thoughts on LinkedIn pictures and whether there is a right or wrong way to do them in the comments below!