The Three Best LinkedIn Profile Picture Tips — According to Science

Photofeeler, a Boulder, Colorado startup, researches LinkedIn and other social media profile pictures. Because of this, they’re a fountain of evidence-based LinkedIn profile picture tips. 

Beyond that, they have created a system that lets you quickly assess your profile picture’s effectiveness by collecting information from live viewers.

Feedback on Profile Pictures

As a result, you can use Photofeeler to get feedback on three essential career factors:

1. Likeability.

2. Competence.

3. Influence.

LinkedIn Profile Picture Tips

Ann Pierce, the Co-Founder & CEO of Photofeeler, and I teamed up to produce an infographic (see below) that shares PhotoFeeler’s research-proven best practices for LinkedIn profile pictures.

Three Factors That Make the Most Effective LinkedIn Profile Pictures

To make the best impression possible:

1. Don’t obstruct your eyes.

2. Smile with your teeth showing — and throw in a little squinch (see the video at the bottom of this section).

3. Dress formally.

I pressed Ann on her formal dress advice because many companies don’t require it. She said that regardless of the company or industry, formal dress scores better in pictures. Period. So guys, get your ties on!

The Profile Picture Hack

Ann recommends going to a professional photographer to get a good picture, but that’s not the hack.

The hack:

Ann shared the four pictures that have scored the highest rankings ever on Photofeeler. If you have already looked at them (below), you probably noticed that all four are remarkably similar.

Each picture was styled and taken by professionals for stock photo sites. Their Photofeeler rankings show you the advantage you gain from working with professionals and, because of their similarity, what to do with your own picture.

Study the infographic below, then:

1. Mimic the dress and grooming in one of the two pictures on the right.

2. Give your photographer the infographic and ask them to pose and frame you just like the woman on the right (because she has the best scores of all).

Could it be easier?

Let Us Know

After you’re done, run your old and new pictures through Photofeeler (it’s free) and let us know how your scores changed.

More LinkedIn Profile Tips

Click here to find more tips on improving your LinkedIn profile.

Let’s Connect on LinkedIn

Please don’t hesitate to invite me to connect on LinkedIn here: Donna Svei, Executive Resume Writer. The more I know about my readers, the better I can make my blog.

Footnote: One of my clients used this advice and sent me a copy of her Photofeeler rankings. She outperformed the people in the infographic!

Featured by: Entrepreneur
Image Courtesy of Lesley B. Juarez
Updated December 2020

© 2015 – 2020, Donna Svei. All rights reserved.

Donna Svei

Donna Svei, an executive resume writer and former C-level executive, retained search consultant, and CPA, authors all of AvidCareerist’s posts. She has written for and been quoted by 100+ business and general media outlets, including Forbes, Mashable, Fast Company, Inc., Entrepreneur, the New York Times, USA Today, Time, CBS, the BBC, Lifehacker, Social Media Today, IT World, SmartBrief, and Business News Daily.

Let her expertise inform your job search strategy and decision making.

Contact Donna here to learn more about her resume and LinkedIn profile services and fee structure.