Did you know how important it is to have a profile picture on LinkedIn? Let’s just explain, having a profile picture will make your profile 10 times more visible to users on LinkedIn. It will also leave a good impression.
Having your LinkedIn profile photo taken by a professional photographer will make you look better and professional. Of course, it can be a bit expensive, you will have to eliminate your estimated $300. You can also just use your smartphone.
So let’s get started…

1. Use your most recent photos

Using a photo taken years ago may surprise users who have seen your current state and create a trust problem.
Take your profile photo the way you look on a daily basis.
The first time they see you in person may be when they come for an interview, so giving them the ability to identify you quickly will make them trust you faster.

2. Your image quality should be high

Your ideal size for your LinkedIn profile picture is 400 x 400 pixels. You can also use larger file size if you want.

Never take a photo of a photo with your smart phone, it can be blurred, take a new photo, it will be better quality and better looking.

3. Your face should fill at least 50% of the photo

Photographs taken from afar won’t show your face properly, so anyone looking at your profile picture should see your face directly, which doesn’t mean just shoot your face, crop it from the top of your shoulders to just above your head so your face fills the frame.

4. Never use a group photo

A group photo will cast doubt on which of you is you. Cropping the group photo is not a good solution because you can see a random hand or shoulder thrown into the frame. Only you can be seen in your profile photo, it should not be a distracting background.

5. Never use a selfie

Taking a selfie can also produce a mirror image that can make any word or logo appear flipped. Ask a friend to take the photo, it will be easier to take the photo, it will also make you look more natural. Also, the person who took your photo can help you with your stance.

6. Your look and the image

If you’re a bit of a serious brand, it’s okay to be serious. but generally speaking, smiling can help them ease and make you appear more approachable.

A study of 800 profile pictures found that people found you cuter and more friendly if you smiled in your picture, and smiles showing teeth were rated twice as pleasant as smiles with closed mouths.

Do not forget to get feedbacks about your profile photos using some tools such as ZONEMII . Zonemii is a great mobile app for android that gives you real feedbacks from the people all around the world. People vote the photos with one of three options , Friend-Zone, Professional-Zone and Date-Zone. This amazing feedback lets you decide which one of your photos is more suitable for business profile such as Linkedin.

7. Never use a distracting background

Where you take your photo is important. You don’t want anything to distract you from your face. Taking the photo in nature or against a painted wall keeps things simple without being boring, and that might be better for your banner image.

8. Choosing clothes

Wear whatever you wear to work, if you’re wearing jeans, it’s okay to have that in your picture.
If you work from home most days, dress appropriately for the company’s general attire to help candidates understand what can be expected of them.
Solid colors tend to do best on camera. Colors that block out your outfit by using bold hues help your image stand out.