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Do Profile Pictures Matter on Linkedin?

July 12, 2009 By Randy Schrum View Comments

images4 Do Profile Pictures Matter on Linkedin?As a Linkedin member, group manager, sales professional, and potential hiring employer. I have to say that profile pictures do matter! I am amazed at the number of people on Linkedin, which is a business professional site who do not have a profile picture posted. Instead they choose to leave it empty or with some alternate pic or logo.

 

Here are the reasons to have a profile picture:

  1. Allows your network to put a face with a name. Which is important as most people “think” in pictures.
  2. It is an additional identifier of you and your brand. Again people associate “brand” often times with pictures.
  3. Pictures communicate a message, is your picture communicating the right one? Putting a profile picture on your Linkedin space that is 20 years old or one less than professional does not communicate a good message.

Often times in the Linkedin space you may have a well written profile, but if you have no picture. You automatically leave viewers suspicious which requires more time many people do not have to find out more about you. In addition many will not spend ANY time to learn about you or respond to your request, as you appear to be less than forthcoming or do not take your professional profile seriously.

To learn how to put a “professional profile” on Linkedin along with other Linkedin Power Strategies join us for this “no cost” webinar here. The next webinar is August 20th 4pm Eastern. Be sure to register to learn when the next one is available.

Randy Schrum
Grow your professional network fast here.

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About Randy Schrum
Randy Schrum is the Executive Vice President of Sales for DemingHill, a Leading Corporate Social Media Consulting & Marketing Firm. DemingHill is a consortium of the top leaders in each of the core disciplines of Social Media for Corporate Business. Inclusive of Sales, Lead Generation, BD, Marketing, PM, Customer Service and more. Mr. Schrum is also Founder of RandySchrum.com & MyCorporateMedia.com, which features Randy’s Sales & Business thoughts along with special blog contributors. Many Business Executives, Owners, and Entrepreneurs have come to enjoy Randy’s practical thoughts & business insights. Additionally, Mr. Schrum is considered one of the leading authorities on LinkedIn & Twitter as co-manager of the #1 LinkedIn & Twitter Strategies group’s. He is the author of Twitter Strategies, which teaches businesses and Twitter users how to build on their business and professional goals using twitter.

  • RT @mycorporatmedia Do Profile Pictures Matter on LinkedIn | My Corporate Media http://bit.ly/113Umf I think they do matter.
  • RT @mycorporatmedia Do Profile Pictures Matter on LinkedIn | My Corporate Media http://bit.ly/113Umf I think they do matter.
  • Doris
    Once upon a time, companies used to ask for photographs with job applications. This was challenged and found to contribute to discrimination. Job seekers over 50, members of minorities, and the disabled are still subject to informal, even subconscious, discrimination, however illegal it may be.
    In addition, various psychological/sociological studies have found that earnings and professional advancement do indeed show statistically significant correlation to attractiveness.
    Sure, an interviewer is going to notice if you're short and dumpy, or grey and arthritic, but at least you'll have made it to the interview stage.
  • Holly
    Well said, Doris. The developers of LinkedIn are probably white males under age 30 and haven't been subject to discrimination--yet. It looks like a whole new generation or so of people have to learn the hard way all over again. Meanwhile, I've been told I need to stay current with the times, so I'm leaving now to get my picture taken. . . .
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    Holly <hpryatel@comcast.net> (unregistered) wrote, in response to Doris (unregistered):

    Well said, Doris. The developers of LinkedIn are probably white males under age 30 and haven't been subject to discrimination--yet. It looks like a whole new generation or so of people have to learn the hard way all over again. Meanwhile, I've been told I need to stay current with the times, so I'm leaving now to get my picture taken. . . .

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  • Carlos de Souza Teixeira
    I know I'm not photogenic but I include my photo on my LinkedIn profile. Perhaps people can appreciate my smile.
    Carlos Teixeira
  • Same applies for Twitter RT @_McLaughlin @mycorporatmedia - Do Profile Pictures Matter on LinkedIn.. http://bit.ly/113Umf</span>
  • Same applies for Twitter RT @_McLaughlin @mycorporatmedia - Do Profile Pictures Matter on LinkedIn.. http://bit.ly/113Umf</span>
  • wow, and as I posted that comment I mis-typed my email address and had no image appear.
  • Pictures on LinkedIn are important to me when hiring someone. I have to assume that there is a reason that the person does not have a picture or a 'joke' picture and none of the reasons are good. I also pay attention to profile pictures on blog comments. The company gravatar allows an easy association between your email address and a profile picture. This blog post has about 15 comments from readers and only 2 have images.
  • RT @mycorporatmedia Do Profile Pictures Matter on LinkedIn | My Corporate Media http://bit.ly/113Umf</span>
  • Good day,

    I have so many thoughts on this topic...............First, let me say that I do not have a pic in my profile.
    I don't have desire or need to see your picture.
    We are all ostensibly professionals. My only concern is your contribution, ability, execution level and professionalism. I don't care what you look like. I care what you do and how you do it. Results and conduct are what really matter.

    All the best,
    Ben McGrath
  • RT @mycorporatmedia Do Profile Pictures Matter on LinkedIn | My Corporate Media http://bit.ly/113Umf Yes they do! It helps your brand.
  • RT @mycorporatmedia Do Profile Pictures Matter on LinkedIn | My Corporate Media http://bit.ly/113Umf</span>
  • Michael Ruff
    I have a question for this group. It seems like every single person who posted a comment here their picture did not show up on their post, maybe that's just this site.

    But seriously, profile pictures do matter and I don't have one because I definately do not photo well. Just consider my smile a Jim Varney smile (my opinion).

    Putting any old photo up just doesn't cut it either because this is DEFINATELY NOT facebook and some of the pictures on facebook are NOT LinkedIn material.
  • RT @tweetmeme Do Profile Pictures Matter on Linkedin? : My Corporate Media http://bit.ly/7GNCF</span>
  • Aamna
    I strongly feel that yes a lot of us think in a very picturesque way,and having an image of yours with your credentials alongside is like "icing on the cake".

    God Bless.
  • Steve
    Having read the previous comments it looks like personal preference.

    My preference was to have a company logo where my picture should have been.

    I got told off by LinkedIn so changed it.

    I thought that as this was a "Professional" networking site ie for Professionals that instead of various pictures of people I'll probably never meet from Southampton to San Francisco, Mumbai to Moscow that my Company Logo was good.

    The Logo exists because Marketing people say these are a good idea and "branding" is everything - even LinkedIn has a Logo.

    Also my company pays for my subscription so it's only fair they should be visible.

    But no, a Company Logo is deemed "inapropriate" - Yep, read that back and consider a Professional Networking site that deems that type of content "inapropriate"

    I'm still smarting and I still don't get it. I asked LinkedIn why and they said that only pictures of me were allowed - How do they know what I look like?

    It's a bit silly really.
  • I agree that including a professional picture of yourself is a helpful addition for those you are connected to on linked in as well a useful addition for those searching for you (especially those with more commonnames).

    I like your thought about the picture relating your personal brand. This almost demands another question: What does your profile picture say about you and your brand?
  • Well i think that it's depends if we know the person or not. if i know the person it's dose not matter, but a nice photo helps bring more reality and connective
  • I do not believe a picture is all that important. I use my initials as I believe in privacy. Just to play "devils advocate" but, [not to start any debate as I believe it is more a personal preference] if you apply for a job on company websites or career builder, I have yet to find the spot for "post current picture here".

    For those that post pictures, that is also a preference and I would not say a word negative on that choice either. I just prefer not to use my picture.
  • Its professional, and having my photo posted has been a plus on occasion. For instance, people have pulled up my pic while on the phone, and vice versa.
  • J.R. Schenk
    Another point to consider is that if you don't have a complete profile and your name is pretty common, it also helps some old colleagues to get back in touch with you.

    I tried to get back in touch with some old colleagues only to find 15 "John Smith" in the approximate location and industry their working, and with only the last position in their profile. A picture would help find the right one.
  • Bill Steele
    I agree with Randy. I think a nice photograph helps bring more reality and professionalism to the connectivity, and communications. I feel more in touch when I am corresponding to someone with a 'face'.
  • profile pics are good-heck realtors use them all the time, so they must be good.
    if you don't like the way you photograph, find a fun stock image or avatar to substitute. It's better to have something than nothing...
  • Teri
    I would bet that many people do not have a good pic of themselves or they don't think they do.

    I, personally, do not consider myself photogenic and I believe if I put a pic up, that I would be passed over due to the pic.

    Catch22 here.
  • Steve
    I think as a "Professional Website" the Company logo should be sufficient. Use a Piccy if you want to but Logo's exist for a reason.

    Unfortunately LinkedIn consider a company logo "inappropriate". If you want a Profile at 100% you are forced to submit a photo.
  • Let's also reflect on the photo's that are posted. Having you under a tree, where the TREE is the most dominate figure in the picture is a waste. Or as you mentioned "avatar" or cartoon - I don't get it.

    Truthfull - profiles that are done this way question the possibility of what is professional? And in some cases does influence concepts on the validity of using such a tool.

    Do it right or why bother...
  • Worth a 1,000 words . . .
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