Let’s be honest: most of us do check the photo before we respond to a message on LinkedIn.
Whether we’re hiring, being hired, building partnerships, or simply networking — that first visual impression matters.
A professional photo builds trust.
It says: “I’m real. I’m present. I take what I do seriously.”
I’m not saying it has to be a studio photo. Not at all.
But it should feel professional. Clear. Trustworthy. Like you’ve made some effort to show up seriously.
A cropped vacation photo or one from a mud run might be fun for private social media,
but on LinkedIn? It confuses the message.
Of course, if you're a content creator or work in a creative field, showing your personality through your photo makes sense.
But for most professionals — recruiters, project managers, consultants, developers — clarity and credibility come first.
Let me share one example from my past.
I once went through a recruitment process for a recruiter role. Before the final step, I checked out my potential future boss — not just on LinkedIn, but also on Facebook (yes, I know 😅).
Let’s just say… student party photos, lots of beer, lots of “fun.”
He was young, I was too — but it made me pause.
I was looking for a place that felt fresh, yes, but also stable and a bit more grounded.
Was it the main reason I declined the offer? No.
But did it play a role in my decision? Definitely.
Now, when I see recruiters without a photo (or with something very random), I think:
Why should someone respond to your message?
Especially now, when there are so many fake profiles pretending to be recruiters just to collect data.
So here’s my take:
📌 If you work with people — especially in recruitment — a photo is a must.
📌 If you’re in another role — it depends.
But in general?
No photo is better than one that sends the wrong message.
What’s your opinion? Have you ever made a decision based on someone’s photo — or lack of it?
Comments