4 Tips For The Perfect Corporate Profile Picture

In February when IMAGE spoke to Wendy Murphy, Senior Director of HR for LinkedIn, EMEA, one of the first thing we wanted to know was what were the top tips for a killer LinkedIn profile. Her answer?

Good professional photograph, number one.

LinkedIn research shows that just having a picture makes your profile 14 times more likely to be viewed by others and it’s your first chance to make a good impression on candidates.

We all know what to avoid when it comes to your professional profile picture – don’t let it be a selfie in the mirror, don’t go into filter overkill, avoid full body shots and don’t be holding a glass of wine.

BE ALONE IN ?YOUR PROFILE PICTURE

Your picture shouldn’t look like it belongs on Facebook or Instagram. You’re using this picture for professional networking, so don’t have a group photo. Don’t have a super zoomed face photograph either – your head and shoulders make for the best professional profile pictures.

DRESS APPROPRIATELY FOR YOUR JOB

“Dress for the job you want, not the job you have,” is the advice LinkedIn give when it comes to your corporate profiler (don’t photograph yourself in angel wings, Victoria’s Secret don’t scout on LinkedIn). Check out the profile pictures of others in your profession to get examples, or think about what you would wear to sit down with your boss. Be safe is your best option.

HAVE A CLEAR BACKGROUND

Keep your picture simple and try to avoid standing in front of a busy background. A clear background will keep the focus on your face, and be sure to be photographed in natural lighting, avoiding over colour saturation.?#Nofilter is definitely the way to go.

BE AWARE OF YOUR POSTURE

Sit up straight, keep your shoulders back and don’t be slouching. Don’t be?afraid to smile either, research shows that happy faces come off as the most trustworthy.

At our next IMAGE Networking Breakfast: #GIRLBOSS, one winner on the day will win a photo session with Photogenics to get the perfect business portrait taken. Find out more about IMAGE Networking Breakfast: #GIRLBOSS here.