8 Tips for Picking the Right LinkedIn Profile

Are you looking to update your Linkedin Profile Photo? What exactly do you put on Linkedin for a profile picture? In this article I will give some tips for choosing a Linkedin Profile picture, sizes, ideas and linkedin profile picture examples. What is Linkedin in the first place? It is a professional website made for Businesses, employers and employees. It is a highly professional centered website. This should be noted because your everyday profile picture may not fit in here.

Linkedin Profile Size

Linkedin profiles sizes above 400 x 400 px are best. You want to aim for higher quality image. Avoid anything blurry or pixelated. Anything smaller then the 400 x 400 px size will be difficult to see.

If you are getting photos professionally done, most photographers will already have this set for you. Try to avoid low resolution phone photos.

Although most iPhones and Androids are capable of taking great portrait photos as well.

Match your niche

Take a look at other profiles for ideas of what to wear. Especially in your desired field check what is most appropriate. This may be the difference of Business Casual or High Business attire. Think of it this way- if you are the CEO of a company versus a Junior Level Employee at your firm or industry you will be dressing differently. Maybe not entirely drastic but this is important.

Remember to keep it simple.

Expression can make a great impression!

Expression can be everything in a profile photo! On Linkedin many people lead with pictures of their face. This is very common. Go for the head shots.

Remember to look directly at the camera with your eyes. This is expected when you look at other profiles. It also makes a great impression. Eye contact is extremely important.

As far as actual facial expressions for the Linkedin profile photo avoid grinning, frowning or funny faces. Give a good clean smile, or even (less desirable) a great grin. It is actually noted that smiling can enhance your profile visibility by 14%!

Another important factor that plays a role in having a great headshot or profile photo is the lighting.

Check the lighting

What exactly does this mean? First off make sure you are well to see your face, you don’t want to be hidden in shadow.

Make sure that the light is soft on your face and does not create distorting shadows. Your photographer should be able to help you especially if you mention you would like “soft light” on your face.

Avoid high flashes that can create glares on your face. And avoid hard light which is opposite to soft light.

Get them professionally taken

When you have a professional photo taken for your headshots it can certainly stand out amongst the crowd. It shows professionalism and is a great way to present yourself.

A few advantages of getting your Linkedin profile photos and Business shots done professionally include a variety of backgrounds, studio headshots and professional editing.

The photographer can help you find backgrounds that contrast your attire. This can surely make you stand out. The studio environment also gives the opportunity for different backgrounds besides black and white. You also have the opportunity to get fabulous lighting that matches your skin texture and face.

Professional editing can be the best part of hiring a professional photographer in head shots. Check the photographer's editing style for headshots and professional shots. They can adjust colors and match life to photos uniquely.

Often these professional photographers will also have the ability to get the best expression from you. You can communicate your concerns or your regards of how you want the photos to look. They can also pose you in a professional manner that will look respectable and reinforce the professionalism.

Try taking them yourself!

You don’t always need to hire a photographer. After all there is an amazing camera in your everyday pocket!

There are different ways of going about this such as getting a phone tripod, setting your phone on a stand or getting a friend to help you out.


Use your back camera to take the photos, oftentimes the back camera has a higher Megapixel count which will help you achieve the 400x400 minimum. Also I would recommend using a flash to bring your eyes- you may need to experiment what looks best.

It is also worth noting to move far enough away from you and the camera to have a profile that is not distorted.

Don’t forget to wear proper attire as well. And edit the photos in apps on the app store. I would highly recommend Snapseed for Android and IOS. Lastly, avoid filters on these photos. Some light editing is fine. You want to avoid high contrast, or colory filters for Linkedin! Leave those for Instagram or Facebook.

Also remember to use a timer! I find the best sweet spot for timers is about 6-7 seconds if your phone or camera allows it. This can be great to move far enough away from the camera and create a desirable expression.

Update! And have a selection

Linkedin Profile Photos don’t need to be updated a ton. However make sure it still looks like you! When you are getting photos taken make sure you have options to choose for facial expressions.

This way you can determine which one you want to pick. This also may be convenient if you would like to change your profile photo later to another photo in the set! Some great times to change your profile photo may be after a new goal has been reached professionally. However, oftentimes with Linkedin , you won’t need to update it for a while. You want this profile to match your personal brand. Don’t update it too often. Or at least not as often as Facebook or Instagram.

Use Artificial Intelligence.

Although I really just wanted to put AI in this article as a buzzword, this might be the underrated tip of the day. Use website like [enter] that detect your facial expressions. This can be great to understand what others think while they are looking at your photos.

There is also this other website to detect facial expressions. On another note you can also ask your business colleagues to help you choose a photo that best matches you, your brand and the professional environment you are in. 9. Build your brand Lastly, make it connect with the rest of your Linkedin. If you are doing an overhaul and modifying your entire linkedin make sure it matches!

Your face in this case is the face of your brand. This can be an exciting or daunting idea. Be open