Update Your LinkedIn Profile Picture: 5 Tips for the Best Results

Your LinkedIn profile picture is the first thing people see when they visit your profile. It's your chance to make a great first impression and show potential connections who you are and what you're all about. To make sure your picture is working for you, consider these 5 tips.

• Use a plain background
• Make sure it looks like you
• Choose your facial expression
• Add your personality
• Be on brand

Use a Plain Background

When it comes to your LinkedIn profile picture, the focus should be on you. A cluttered background can be distracting. Here's what to do.

• Drop the props
• Clear the clutter
• Use a simple background removal tool like remove.bg
• Add your headshot onto the color of your choosing

Make Sure it Looks Like You

Your LinkedIn profile picture should be an accurate representation of you. Here are some tips for making sure your picture is authentic.

• Use a recent picture
• Use a regular angle
• Use natural lighting
• Ask your friends for a second opinion
• Forget trying to glam up, just be you.

Choose Your Facial Expression

Your facial expression in your LinkedIn profile picture should be intentional. It should reflect the kind of person you want people to know you are.

• Think about your professional field. If you work in a serious field, pose accordingly.
• If you’re all about creating joyful experiences, show a big smile.
• Match your look with the vibe you want to create for maximum alignment between profile and human.

Add Your Personality

Even within a 400 pixel square, there’s space to add personality. Here are a few ideas.

• Play around with the angle
• Play around with the lighting
• Play around with hand positioning
• Play around with your outfit
• Whatever you do, look into the camera.
• Max out the space so someone can see your vibe.

Be on Brand

Your LinkedIn profile picture should reflect your professional brand. It should communicate your skills, experience, and personality.

• Match your facial expression to your brand, but also your colors, framing and stance.
• An executive resume writer will have a different personal brand to a fear coach.
• A presentation skills coach needs to look presentable.
• Think about how to embody your title so your photo reflects your professional skills.

LinkedIn Profile Pictures: Make a Great First Impression

Use the tips above to make sure your LinkedIn profile picture is working for you. It's your chance to make a great first impression and stand out from the crowd. Use these tips to make sure your profile picture is on point.

• Use a clear and plain background to minimize distractions
• Make sure your picture looks like you
• Be intentional about your facial expression
• Show some personality
• Match your picture to your professional brand
• Set up some good lighting
• Look straight into the camera
• Show up for the world!