At SafetyPin we think adding a professional, attention grabbing profile picture to your LinkedIn profile is pretty important. In fact, whether you are trying to woo employers, impress prospects or give your business a little boost, we’d go so far to say that it is imperative. Being photographers, I guess we would say that. But with businesses browsing LinkedIn every day, and with competition greater than ever, why wouldn’t you want to give yourself a leg up? Whether you like it or not, people make judgements based on your LinkedIn photo (or lack of one), and the problem is, you’re not there to put them straight. Here are 5 things that your headshot says about you.
1.You’ve got nothing to hide
So first up, why have a profile photo at all? Well, your LinkedIn Profile is like your online CV, and so leaving an empty space where a photo would normally be, amounts to an incomplete CV. Having a photo up shows that you are willing to put your face to the skills and experience detailed below, and a good photo helps legitimise your profile and build trust, even before you’ve had a face to face. What’s more, not uploading a pic is a big gamble. Rightly or wrongly, clients browsing your profile may well assume that you have something to hide.
2. You’re professional (…or not)
It may sound like a cliché but if you want others to take you seriously, then you need to take yourself seriously first. A well shot, professional headshot goes a long way and shows that you mean business. Adding a Facebook-style holiday snap won’t really cut it, and will instead give the impression that you don’t really know what LinkedIn is for. Or, even worse, that you don’t take your profession seriously. Or, worse again, you just can’t be bothered to put in the time to finish your profile and further your career. All of these are turn-offs, obvs.
3. You’re more than just a name
We all know how important first impressions are, and you’ve probably even practised making good ones in the mirror before a job interview or major occasion (that’s right, you’re definitely not alone in this). First impressions are made more and more online, and providing a decent photo gives employers or businesses a visual aid to accompany your profile. In short, you become more than just a name on a list of contacts. Provide a really boss photo, however, and you’ll jump to the front of the queue.
4. How competent, likeable and influential you are
We’re all guilty of making snap judgements based on appearance, and more often than not we’re proven wrong. That’s assuming you give someone the chance to be proved wrong, though. The beauty of your LinkedIn photo is that you are in control, and making a good impression is in your own hands. Research shows that employers make judgements on likeability, competency and influence merely by looking at a candidate’s photograph; but the good news is that with just a few alterations to things like posture, composition and expression, we all have the ability to score top points. There’s no excuse really, once you know what you’re doing.
5. How confident you are in business
When you’re looking to secure someone’s business, or convince someone that you’re worth securing yourself, you can’t be averse to a little self-promotion. Your CV will highlight all your most desirable, impressive and downright employable characteristics, but if your photo doesn’t follow suit, you’re letting yourself down. Your photo should not only show that you are willing and confident enough to put yourself out there but also that you know how to put yourself out there. This can be the tricky part, but that is where we come in…
This is where we’re supposed to go full-on salesperson on you. We won’t bore you with that though, you get the picture by now I’m sure. But if you want to see what SafetyPin can do for you, take a look around, and if you like what you see, book yourself in for a shoot and join our growing community.
Sam & Jon