5.2.3 LinkedIn: Profile picture alternatives
LinkedIn: Profile picture and alternatives
To increase your visibility on LinkedIn you would need to add a profile picture.
As you can see from section 5.2.2Link opens in a new window having a profile picture is part of your LinkedIn profile's core components. As a result, your profile picture is what recruiters and employers based their first impression of you on.
Unlike other social media platforms that are not specific to jobs, your profile picture on LinkedIn has to have very specific criteria: It has to be a serious, professional and most importantly a picture should be of you.
There are several articles on LinkedIn on why LinkedIn profile pictures are important to have, and how having a professional LinkedIn profile picture increases your credibility and chances of being approached by potential employers and recruiters.
Following are some of these articles which mainly focuses on the criteria required for a LinkedIn profile picture:
1-10 Tips to Take Professional LinkedIn Profile PicturesLink opens in a new window
2-Profile photo guidelines and conditions | LinkedIn HelpLink opens in a new window
3-Why LinkedIn Headshots Are So Important | LinkedInLink opens in a new window
However, I do understand that some of you live in or come from conservative surroundings and are unable to use their personal picture online. Therefore, there are alternatives, but it would decrease your credibility and the visibility to employers and recruiters, but if it is your only option.
In that case you could:
Restrict to
LinkedIn 1st Connections only
Option 1: You can change who can view your profile and profile picture. So you can change it, so only people that you have added to your professional network on the platform (also known as 1st connections) can see your photo. Meanwhile, no one anyone else can see your photo.
Details on how to change who can see your profile are found in the following link: Settings for profile photo visibility | LinkedIn HelpLink opens in a new window
Source: LinkedIn
Option 2:Do not add profile picture at all and leave it blank, so your picture will just stay as it is (as shown on the left).
Option 3:Put your initials on a clear one-colour professional background. Pick one on of these colour options:
1- Dark blue background with initials in white.
2- Medium Gray or charcoal colour with initials in white or beige.
3- Beige background with initials in dark brown.
4- Burgendy background with initials in white or light grey.
5- The blue colour of LinkedIn with initials in white.
6- Olive green with initials in white or grey.
For example, let’s assume my name is Jane Do, my initials would be J D. So potentially if I want to add my initials as my LinkedIn profile picture it could look like the image on the left.