Ask Amanda: What Should My LinkedIn Profile Photo Look Like? by Amanda Augustine

Q: What are some tips for picking the right LinkedIn profile photo?

Do I REALLY need a profile picture on LinkedIn and, if so, what are some tips to choosing the right photo? — Richard L.

First off, kudos for understanding the importance of having a LinkedIn profile. Whether you're looking for a new job or wanting to expand your network of contacts, LinkedIn has become an essential tool for the career-minded professional.

While including a headshot on your resume is frowned upon by employers, uploading a photo to accompany your LinkedIn profile is now commonplace. In fact, studies have found that your LinkedIn profile is 40 percent more likely to be clicked on if it contains a headshot. However, not just any profile picture will do. It's important to pick your LinkedIn profile photo strategically so that it helps, rather than hurts, your job prospects.

Use the tips below to pick the right LinkedIn profile photo that will benefit your career.

Use a high-resolution image that meets the new size requirements

Since LinkedIn's update and redesign in December 2017, the ideal profile picture size increased from 200 x 200 pixels to 400 x 400 pixels. However, it's OK to upload a larger picture as long as it's square, no larger than 8MB in file size, and does not exceed 20,000 pixels in height or width. If you select a LinkedIn profile photo that is less than 400 x 400 pixels, you can assume the image will look teeny tiny or blurry.

Select a current photo of you

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