First impressions matter on a professional network
Profiles with a photo tend to get noticeably more views and connection requests than profiles without one, so setting a clear, professional-looking photo can help you come across as more credible to recruiters and business contacts.
Choose a photo that fits a business context
A simple headshot with good lighting, a neutral background, and appropriate business-casual attire tends to work best. Avoid heavily filtered photos, group shots, or vacation pictures, since the goal is to look approachable and trustworthy at a glance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I limit who sees my photo?
Yes, you can choose the visibility of your profile photo from options like "All LinkedIn members," 1st-degree connections, connections of connections, or "Only you."
Can I also change my background (cover) image?
Yes, hover over the banner area above your profile photo and click the camera icon that appears to set a separate background image.