Professional LinkedIn Profile Picture: Guidelines, Tips & More

Did you know? In a survey conducted by Passport Photo Online, 70% of respondents (HR representatives, managers, and business owners, among others) admitted that they rejected a candidate only because of their profile picture!

Every social media platform draws attention to its users’ profile photos—and LinkedIn is no different. What can you do to stand out and catch the employers’ eyes, you ask? You’ll find your answers here!

LinkedIn Photo: Dos & Don’ts

Let’s start off on a high note—

What are the dos and don’ts for your LinkedIn profile picture?

We know that the Internet is bursting with tips and guidelines—that’s why we’ve compiled this table to boil down the most essential points. For more details, take a look at our article on LinkedIn photo tips that’ll attract employers’ attention.

Let’s sum it up—

Your LinkedIn profile picture should reflect your current appearance. You want to present yourself as a professional but also keep in mind friendliness and charisma. Your face should take about 70% of your profile photo, and the image should stand out with the highest quality.

Did you know? 15% of respondents indicated a lack of smile as one of the most serious LinkedIn profile picture red flags!

LinkedIn background photo: tips

One picture can say more than a thousand words. Use this power and ensure your LinkedIn cover photo conveys the exact message you want to get across.

A profile picture is your primary online business card—but the background image is as important. So, how can you spice up your profile with some relevant banners? Take a look at a few tips:

• Your LinkedIn background photo is a perfect way of elaborating on your experience, goals, or mission. You can save some space in your profile description by choosing a relevant banner that shows what you’ve achieved and what your ambitions are
• Remember that the cover photo is a chance to give a good first impression. Choose a high-quality image that’ll speak to others
• We’ve said it already, but let us repeat—make your LinkedIn background photo relevant. Show your profession, sell your ideas, or inspire others to take actions

And here are some examples of what you could use for your LinkedIn cover photo:

• Your current workspace
• The tools you use for work
• A banner with your motto
• An eye-catching landscape
• Anything that’s related to your work—e.g., a book if you’re a writer

Why is it worth having a professional LinkedIn photo?

As of November 2023, there are more than 950 million LinkedIn users. This is quite a number, considering that a vast majority of members are on a job hunt. A professional LinkedIn profile picture will help you stand out from the crowd and, hopefully, land you a dream job.

One thing you can do is hire a professional photographer and do a photoshoot. However, this solution will cost you quite some time and money. While the results will probably be satisfactory, not everyone wants to go with a serious headshot for their LinkedIn profile picture.

Another solution?

Take your LinkedIn photo with a dedicated app from the comfort of your home. Keep reading to learn more!

Your professional LinkedIn profile picture maker

If you don’t enjoy the stiffness of most photography studios, we have the perfect solution for you.

Use your smartphone or a digital camera and transform your room into a photoshoot scene!

Thanks to professional photo apps, such as Passport Photo Online, you can create your LinkedIn profile picture within minutes. It’s your time—take as many shots as you need to find the perfect one, experiment with attire or poses, and make your LinkedIn profile shine!

Did you know? A recommended LinkedIn profile photo size is 400x400 pixels. With Passport Photo Online, you don’t have to worry about manual resizing—we’ll take care of that and more!