Does your LinkedIn photograph make you look ‘shady’?

Your LinkedIn photograph might occupy only a small circle at the top of your profile, but it can say an awful lot about you.

Sometimes it says professional, credible and ready to do business.

Sometimes it says, “I found this photograph on my phone five minutes ago and thought it would do.”

And occasionally, quite literally, it says shady.

That matters because recruiters and hiring managers don’t necessarily begin by reading your entire LinkedIn profile. When they search for candidates using LinkedIn’s recruitment tools, they initially see a relatively small amount of information.

This includes your name, photograph, headline, current position and a brief indication of your previous roles.

They then decide whether your profile looks interesting enough to investigate further.

So, what is your photograph telling them?

Is having no LinkedIn photograph better than having a bad one?

There may be personal reasons why someone chooses not to display a photograph.

But from a professional perspective, having no photograph at all is one of the worst options.

When your name appears alongside other candidates in a recruiter’s search results, an empty image makes the profile look impersonal. It can also create the impression that you have something to hide, particularly when most of the other people in the results have included photographs.

This might be an unfair conclusion.

But people make quick judgements, and you don’t want to give them an unnecessary reason to think less of you before they have even opened your profile.

In most cases, a recognisable and professional photograph will create a much stronger first impression than an empty grey circle.

The three golden rules for LinkedIn photographs

A suitable LinkedIn profile photograph should satisfy three basic requirements:

1. It should show your head and shoulders.

2. It should have a neutral background.

3. You should be wearing suitable business attire.

These are fairly straightforward requirements.

Yet it is surprising how many LinkedIn users manage to ignore one or more of them.

The objective isn’t to create a glamorous studio portrait. It is to present a clear, recognisable and professional image of the person somebody might eventually interview, employ or work alongside.

Your photograph doesn’t need to win an award.

It just needs to look as though you could be bothered.

Why looking ‘shady’ isn’t a good thing

Lighting matters.

A photograph can technically satisfy the head-and-shoulders rule, use a neutral background and show someone in suitable business attire, but still fall short.

If half of your face is obscured by shadow, you can look quite literally shady.

And if there is one adjective you probably don’t want associated with you professionally, it is “shady.”

The word implies something dodgy or underhand. That may have absolutely nothing to do with your personality, but a badly lit photograph can create an unfortunate visual impression.

Make sure your face is properly lit and that somebody looking at the photograph can see you clearly.

You should also be positioned sensibly within the image. Being noticeably off-centre can be distracting, and some people get surprisingly wound up about these things.

Again, don’t give anybody an unnecessary reason to think less of you.

Does the background colour matter?

A neutral background is generally the safest option, but the colours still need to work with the rest of the photograph.

An insipid beige or magnolia wall might technically be neutral. But if the colour clashes with your clothing or makes the entire image look dull, it isn’t doing you any favours.

This is subjective, of course.

Someone, somewhere, may be rushing out to buy several cans of magnolia paint after seeing your profile picture.

But it seems unlikely.

The photograph should look deliberate rather than accidental. A clean background, good lighting and complementary colours can make the whole profile look more considered.

Should your LinkedIn photograph come from a social occasion?

A photograph taken in a social setting can create another set of problems.

If you are holding a drink that could be perceived as alcoholic, for example, some people may not consider that appropriate for a professional profile.

That doesn’t necessarily mean you have done anything wrong.

It simply means the image can distract from the professional impression you are trying to create.

LinkedIn is effectively your shop window for employment, networking, business development and industry opportunities. A photograph from a night out might be perfectly suitable for another platform, but that doesn’t make it the right choice for LinkedIn.

Think of yourself as a business

You may not run a company, but you are still responsible for the business of you.

You need to present your professional brand, experience and offering effectively.

That doesn’t mean creating something flashy or pretending to be somebody you aren’t. It means paying attention to the details that influence how other people perceive you.

A well-lit and properly positioned photograph says that you take your professional presentation seriously.

A relevant banner tells people which industry or specialist area you belong to.

A strong headline explains what you have to offer.

When these elements work together, your profile immediately looks more professional and purposeful.

A picture paints a thousand words

Your LinkedIn photograph will not compensate for a badly written profile.

But it can influence whether someone feels inclined to read that profile in the first place.

Recruiters can be presented with a list containing numerous potential candidates. At that early stage, your photograph, name, headline and current role are among the few pieces of information available to them.

Your photograph therefore doesn’t need to make you look extraordinary.

It needs to make you look recognisable, credible and professional.

Most importantly, it shouldn’t make you look shady.

LinkedIn profile photographs: quick questions and answers

Should I include a photograph on my LinkedIn profile?

In most cases, yes. Having no photograph can make your profile look impersonal and may create the impression that you have something to hide.

What makes a good LinkedIn profile photograph?

A good LinkedIn photograph should show your head and shoulders, use a neutral background and feature suitable business attire. It should also be properly lit and clearly show your face.

Should I use a social photograph on LinkedIn?

Be careful. A social photograph, particularly one showing you holding a drink, may not create the professional impression you want.

Does a LinkedIn banner really matter?

Yes. Leaving the default banner in place can make your profile look unfinished. A relevant image or clear message can communicate more about your professional identity and the value you offer.