Executive LinkedIn Profiles: The Power of a Professional Headshot

Your CXO resume and LinkedIn profile are arguably the 2 most important parts of your executive job transition. Both need to work in conjunction to help you land your next opportunity. Where your executive resume is generally more targeted and formal, you have a little more freedom with your LinkedIn profile to add personality and extra details.

A primary opportunity to add a personal touch to LinkedIn that is less appropriate on an executive resume is the addition of a photo. Ask any executive resume writer, recruiter, or search firm, and they will tell you how important it is to have a good profile photo on your executive LinkedIn profile. Some viewers may question the legitimacy of your profile if you do not include a picture, and statistics show that LinkedIn profiles with photos get 21 times more profile views and 9 times more connection requests.

That being said, do not use just any photo from your other social media accounts for your executive LinkedIn profile. LinkedIn is a very different platform for a very different audience. You need to leave the best first impression possible; it’s a good idea to enlist the help of a photographer who specializes in LinkedIn headshots to guide you toward a photo that will have the desired impact.

You may already know the basics of LinkedIn headshots—make sure your photo looks like you, you are the only one in the picture, and you are making eye contact with the camera. Wear appropriate business attire and settings, and don’t use a selfie.

How to Capture Your Specific Attributes with An Executive LinkedIn Profile Photo

You can strategically stage and pick your photo to portray the most important attributes for your next career move. For example, if you want to look more:

  • Intelligent: Dress formally, feature an upper-class hobby, or wear glasses, even if you don’t usually.
  • Confident: Gently squint your eyes to avoid a wide-eyed look, use body language that takes up space, and don’t over-smile.
  • Competent: Make eye contact, avoid funny hand gestures, stand straight, and show yourself in a business setting.
  • Authentic: Whether you’re sitting or standing, you should be comfortable. Try holding something in your hands or taking candid shots where you aren’t posed and staring into the camera.
  • Influential: Strike a power pose, take the picture slightly below eye level, and use professional lighting.

To find out how we can help you professionalize your executive LinkedIn profile, book a complimentary and confidential call with us here.

Mary Elizabeth Bradford is the Founder and Executive Director of CEOresumewriter.com and Maryelizabethbradford.com and a past executive recruiter. A thought leader in the career services industry for over 20 years, she holds 5 distinct advanced certifications for senior-level resume writing, online branding and executive-level job search coaching (CERM, CMRW, CARW, MCD, NCOPE). She has been seen and heard in major media including Forbes, Time, WSJ, Newsweek and NBC affiliate stations. She holds 2 CDI TORI awards and is a top tier judge for the elite CDI TORI awards for four consecutive years. Mary Elizabeth Bradford’s elite team of award-winning, certified, top executive resume writers, former top executive recruiters, and global HR executives help many of the world’s premier C-suite, board members and thought leaders secure the transitions and compensation packages they want. She works with clients all over the globe.

If you are a Director, VP, CxO, or Board Member interested in an executive resume package or working directly with Mary Elizabeth, click to schedule a complimentary 15-minute call.