Think back to the last message you sent on LinkedIn or the last comment you left on a post. Or even that connection request that you extended to an old-school friend. Were you ghosted? That could be for a number of reasons. But, it could be because your profile lacks a vital component: a visible profile picture. So, here are three reasons why it’s important to add a visible profile picture to your LinkedIn profile.
First Impressions Count
Let’s get the basics out of the way. LinkedIn accounts with a profile picture are a lot more likely to be viewed than those without. And when you’re networking or job searching, this makes all the difference if you’re trying to make a lasting impression online.
This comes from an official LinkedIn analysis that found that simply adding a picture increases your profile’s visibility by 14 times. Even better than that, your chances of receiving a response to a message instantly increase by 36 times. So, adding a visible profile picture ensures that your profile is pushed in front of the right people. Then, your picture is able to work its magic and leave a positive impression because your audience can see you’re engaged on the network, just like they are.
You’ll Be Much More Approachable
Think of your LinkedIn profile as a representation of your own personal brand. Essentially, that’s exactly what it is anyway.
It showcases your best features, and your professional accomplishments and it’s a place for you to share your hobbies and professional interests. In short, it makes you appear warm, trustworthy and overall, relatable – you’re able to make a genuine connection with your viewer because of this. Ensuring that you have a visible profile picture boosts this even more because your audience can put a face to your name. So, if you feel like you’re getting the cold shoulder, adding a profile picture can make you seem a lot more approachable. Soon, those connections should come rolling in.
Avoid Self-Sabotage
Your profile picture can seem like a minuscule aspect in the grand scheme of things, but forgetting about it could be the reason you’re being ghosted by recruiters.
Put yourself in their shoes. When they’re scouring the platform for a potential candidate for a role, the first thing they’ll notice is your photo – or lack thereof. If you don’t have a visible profile picture on LinkedIn, they’re much more likely to click off your profile as quickly as they clicked on it. All that time perfecting your work experience and ‘About Me’ sections have quickly gone to waste. So, if you want to be noticed by recruiters and hiring managers, it’s best practice to add a profile picture and grab their attention straight away.
To add a visible profile to your LinkedIn account, all you need to do is click on your name on the homepage, which will take you to your profile. Then click ‘Edit Public Profile and URL’ on the right-hand side. Scroll down to the ‘Profile Photo Section’ and select ‘Public’. Your changes will be saved automatically.