LinkedIn is the world's largest professional social network with more than 400 million users and more recruiters have been using LinkedIn as a way to scout talent for job positions. Contrary to some people's beliefs, many recruiters say that your LinkedIn profile picture is just as important as the skills that you list on your actual profile.
At my last internship, I was helping the HR Director find candidates for open and opening positions throughout the company. During my search, I couldn't help but to notice how some candidates had perfect skills mentioned on their profiles but the profile photos were a bit questionable. Yes, one shouldn't judge a book by it's cover but when you're searching for a candidate for a job position and their profile picture is them sitting at a bar or a photo of their pet, you can't help but to judge.
If you already have a LinkedIn profile, you're well on your way to having recruiters scoping you out for a job. Here are the Do's and Don'ts of LinkedIn profile pictures so recruiters aren't distracted from your qualifications due to the lack of strong, professional picture.
Do
Take a headshot on your own or have a friend take one for you if you don't have the time or money to pay a professional. If you are taking a headshot of yourself make sure you're positioning your hand in such a way that it isn't obvious that you've taken it yourself or use a tripod.
A killer smile always wins.
Don't
Use a selfie that you would post to Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or send to your boyfriend. It's unprofessional and should not be on LinkedIn.
Do
Smile and look inviting. You don't have to look cheesy but having a resting bitch face is NOT ideal. You also need to make sure you're displaying good posture for this can come off a little awkward if you aren't.
Don't
“Do it for the gram" or do any duck lips, kissy faces, dramatic head tilts etc. There's a time and place for everything and your LinkedIn profile picture is not one of them.
Do
Find an appropriate background for your photo. If you take an outside headshot, be mindful of what is in the background (trees, flowers, brick walls and other not so busy backgrounds work just fine). If you decide to take a photo inside, make sure it is in front of a blank wall (preferably a neutral colored wall) or some type of backdrop. Even just a white/neutral color poster board that you've hung on your wall specifically for your headshot will serve as a good background.
You can show a little personality with your attire. Just remember to keep it classy!
Do
Apply makeup to make you look refreshed. Some foundation + powder (preferably with a matte finish), a subtle blush, a natural lip color and a coating of mascara should suffice.
Don't
Beat your face to the GAWDS unless you are a makeup artist or it aligns with your career goals. Recruiters aren't here for the extras.
Do
Be mindful of the attire you wear (mainly your top since it's a headshot). A button down of course is always safe but depending on the field that you're in or aspiring to be in (creatives, stylists etc.) clothing that exudes your personality is acceptable.
it's okay to use props as long as they're not distracting.
Don't
Wear anything in your LinkedIn photo that you wouldn't feel comfortable wearing in front of your future employer. That includes but is not limited to, low cut tops, hoodies/sweatshirts/, baseball caps etc.
Do
Take photos in natural lighting to get a better quality image. If you're not taking your headshot outside, make sure to take your photo in front of a window when there is plenty natural coming in the room.
Don't
Take photos under house lights, lamps etc. The lighting came come off with a yellowish tint, which is not appealing in a professional headshot.
Related Article: DO THESE 4 THINGS ON LINKEDIN & YOU WILL HAVE RECRUITERS SLIDING IN YOUR DMS
Do
Edit your photos a bit to make them the best quality possible. Even if you take your images with a higher quality camera, you may need to make some minor adjustments like improving the contrast or appropriate cropping.
You can never go wrong with a simple headshot against a plain background.
Don't
Add an Instagram X-ProII filter (or any other social media appropriate filter for that matter) to your photo.
A picture is worth a thousand words, so make sure your LinkedIn photo is screaming “hire me because I am the BOMB!"
Check out the gallery below for some of our favorite LinkedIn headshots and share with us how you'll be utilizing these tips to boost the chances of recruiters sliding into your DM's!
Get more career tips and tricks by visiting our xo Business section!
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If you've had some doubts or don't know where to start, here's a quick guide for prepping to make your homeownership dreams a reality:
1. Get your mind right.
A 2022 Bank of America survey found that while 48% of Black women "feel confident about their finances," only 28% actually "feel empowered to take action" fueled by this confidence.
This first step is often overlooked, but oftentimes, when we're starting any new journey, especially one that involves a big change both physically (i.e. moving to a whole new environment) and financially, you'll need to set your mind on positive thoughts, confidence, and boldness. You have to know that you can indeed be a homeowner, that you deserve the desires of your heart, and that you are more than capable of navigating the process.
With high rates of student loan debt, rental income disparities, and a lot of the home responsibilities falling on us, among other challenges, it can indeed seem like a tough feat to go the homeownership route, but it is certainly doable with the right mindset, strategy, and support.
Lean into affirmations, prayer, therapy, coaching, and real-life inspiration to clear your mind of doubts and fears and use that energy to progress toward your dream home purchase. Open your mind to all the options, resources, and programs that are afforded to you and the alternative ways to reach your goals.
2. Get real about your finances.
Many experts agree on this second step, as you'll need to know where you are financially in order to be sure of what type of house you want, where you want to live, and whether you can afford the mortgage. Usually, this includes having (or creating) a budget and getting to know your expenses versus your take-home pay. If you don't already have a budget, create one and start to really get focused on knowing exactly what money's coming in and what's going out.
Also, getting into a savings routine and looking into investing, even if it's as simple as signing up for your 401K with your job, opening a retirement account on your own via companies like Fidelity or JP Morgan, or starting brokerage accounts with platforms like Charles Schwab or Robinhood. This will allow you to get into the habit of building wealth and having multiple sources to tap into in terms of financial assets.
3. Stop counting yourself out due to reasons like "bad credit" or low income.
If you need assistance with budgeting or learning more about money management, there are free resources out there (try here or here). You can also tap into local resources like nonprofits, financial advisers, or the professionals you bank with, especially if it's a credit union.
There are also resources for strategizing how to improve your credit, boost your income, and develop better financial fitness habits, so tap into those as well. You can do this! Sit down, write out your goals, work with a coach, and start one small step at a time.
Bad credit and other financial challenges don't necessarily bar you from achieving your dreams of owning a home. Look into rent-to-own options or financiers who offer home loans to people with credit under 620. There are also federal lenders that are ideal for those with low or no credit.
Go into your current bank and get to know your options so that you'll know what's actually available to you and what's possible beyond the fears or negative self-talk. Take a free class via the National Urban League or other local resources through a quick Google search. You'd be surprised what options are out there when you simply make a few appointments, do a bit of research, network, and ask.
4. Figure out your plan for your first payment and the right mortgage fit.
A down payment is often required (or at least encouraged) when you're buying a home, so once you've gotten clear on your financial status, what type of house you want, where, and how much you can afford based on your income, think about how you'll save up (or pay) the first payment for the investment.
Twenty percent of the total cost of the home has often been mentioned as a place to start, but experts say you don't necessarily have to have that much. However, be aware that when you put down less than that, you'll have to get mortgage insurance, and it will likely add to your monthly mortgage payment, so keep that in mind. There are assistance programs on the state and federal levels that can help you navigate this and even assist with the cost, especially if you're a first-time homebuyer. (Start here for more great information on this.)
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When it comes to your dream home and consideration of a mortgage, think outside the box. Your dream home might be a $500,000 ranch-style home in a major metro area but if that's going to have you living above your means or struggling to pay the down payment and monthly mortgage in tough times, considering an adjacent city or county in the same state or the same type of house in an area that's more up-and-coming.
There are also different types of mortgages that might be a good fit for you based on various factors. For example, conventional loans offer low minimum down payments but have more stringent qualifications, while FHA loans are mortgages backed by the Federal Housing Administration and are generally easier to qualify for but have stricter requirements related to mortgage insurance. (You can research more information on types of loans and how to qualify here and here.)
5. Start the pre-approval process and ask lots of questions before agreeing to a loan.
You'll also need to get pre-approved, so once you've found the right type of loan, do your research on who to partner with on your mortgage. Be sure, for example, that if you're going for an FHA loan, the loan provider is FHA-approved. According to NerdWallet, prospective home buyers should consider how a lender’s sample rates compare with today's mortgage rates, determine the closing costs, and "compare mortgage origination fees.” Become super-aware of the terms and timing for the loans and how these might change over time or in the future. Ask lots of questions or get help via a reputable consultant or coach.
Preapproval is necessary for getting the "real numbers," because lenders have access to detailed information about your finances. The process will include a hard credit inquiry, which shows up on your credit report, however, when you apply with multiple lenders around the same time, according to Bankrate, it only counts as one hard pull. This is because credit scoring models "take mortgage rate-shopping into account" and "group multiple inquiries together" if the credit checks all happen within a 45-day period. You'll need documents including W2s, pay stubs, and others (listed here.)
You can use the pre-approved lender at the end of the process, once you're ready to buy, or you can use a new one if, by the end of the process, you've found a better deal.
6. Research and vet your real estate agent before contracting with them.
Experts recommend interviewing multiple buyer's agents to be sure you're getting someone with your best interests at heart. Ask family, friends, and coworkers for referrals, look at the agent's online reviews, and be sure they're licensed in your state. Check out their Zillow or other professional profiles online and look at their track record. Ask them questions like "How long have you been in business," "How well do you know the area," and "How will you be corresponding with me, and how often?" (Here's a full list of interview questions for getting started.)
There’s a difference between a buyer’s agent, who represents a homebuyer in a real estate transaction, and a seller’s or listing agent, who is responsible for looking out for the seller, including pricing and marketing the home. Many agents do both, but some specialize in one or the other. Some states don’t allow dual agency, and it can there are some risks associated with that. There are referral agents who provide leads to other agents for a fee.
7. When shopping around, take your time and don't make hasty decisions.
Work with your real estate agent to view properties and think along the lines of making a long-term investment. You'll more than likely be living in the house for quite some time (even if you plan to sell and move on later) so you'll want to have some forethought on your why and how you'd like to live in the long term. Think about the community, how you'll live in the home, and what will best suit your long-term needs.
Real estate agents also recommend looking for red flags when viewing a home like poor tiling, evidence of leaks, or covering of flaws (such as "strong perfumes" or gaps in tile, for example). Be aware of potential issues like bodies of water nearby (possibility of flooding) or paint bubbling around windows (possible problems with ventilation). They also recommend looking past the aesthetics, lifting carpets, or asking about recent property maintenance.
While this guide is simply a snapshot to get you started, allow it to encourage you to go boldly for your dreams of homeownership with confidence and a plan. Be sure to utilize all resources afforded to you, do your research, and walk proudly into your next elevation to owning the home of your dreams.
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