Your headshot is processed in 33 milliseconds. Here's how to make it count.
Test Your LinkedIn Headshot Free →Recruiters process your photo in 33 milliseconds. Genuine smiles = 36% more trustworthy.
That stiff corporate headshot where you tried to "look professional"? It makes you look robotic. The genuine smile where you look competent AND approachable? That gets you the call.
Upload • Get score • See if you look approachable
Not: Stiff "say cheese" smile where only your mouth moves.
Yes: Confident genuine smile where your eyes crinkle naturally. Think "I'm good at what I do and enjoy it."
Finance/Law: Suit and tie, polished look
Tech/Startup: Business casual, maybe button-down
Creative: Whatever fits your brand, but clean
Rule: Dress how you'd dress for client meeting
Looking at camera = looking at recruiter. Eye contact = confidence and trustworthiness. Looking away = disengaged.
Solid color or very blurred background. Focus should be on you, not your messy home office. White, light gray, or subtle blue works best.
Face the window for natural light. Avoid harsh overhead lights or darkness. Good lighting = professional. Bad lighting = amateur.
Not full body. Not too close. Frame: top of head to mid-chest. LinkedIn shows your photo small - make your face visible.
Profiles without photos get 14x fewer views. Recruiters skip no-photo profiles. If you have no photo, you basically do not exist on LinkedIn.
Your beach vacation photo or wedding photo is not a headshot. Recruiters want to see you in professional mode, not party mode.
We can tell. It looks unprofessional. Take an actual headshot instead of cropping out your friends from a group photo.
If you show up to the interview looking nothing like your photo, that is awkward. Update your headshot every 2-3 years.
Recruiters want to see your face. Sunglasses/hats make you look like you are hiding something. Show your face clearly.
Trying to look "powerful" by not smiling makes you look unapproachable. Approachability matters more than looking intimidating.
Attire: Suit and tie (men), professional blazer (women)
Smile: Confident but professional - not too casual
Background: Solid neutral color
Vibe: Competent, trustworthy, polished
Attire: Business casual - button-down, nice sweater
Smile: Genuine and approachable - friendly matters
Background: Clean, can be slightly less formal
Vibe: Smart, collaborative, innovative
Attire: Express your style but keep it professional
Smile: Warm and genuine - personality matters
Background: Can have subtle character
Vibe: Creative but professional
Attire: White coat or professional attire
Smile: Warm and trustworthy - patients need to trust you
Background: Clean, professional
Vibe: Competent, caring, approachable
Upload your current headshot. Get instant score. Find if you need a better one.
Analyze My Headshot Free →Takes 10 seconds • Shows exact score • Completely free
Not necessarily. A good iPhone photo with natural lighting and clean background often beats a stiff professional photo where you look uncomfortable. What matters: genuine smile, good lighting, professional attire.
Yes. Genuine smiles make you look 36% more trustworthy and approachable. The old advice of looking stern/serious is outdated. Approachability gets you hired.
Dress how you would for a client meeting in your industry. Finance: suit. Tech: business casual. Creative: professional but expressive. When in doubt, slightly overdress rather than underdress.
Every 2-3 years or whenever your appearance changes significantly. If you show up to an interview looking different than your photo, that is a bad first impression.
Solid neutral color (white, light gray, subtle blue) or very blurred background. Keep the focus on you. Avoid busy backgrounds, your messy office, or anything distracting.
Only if it is really well done (good lighting, professional attire, clean background). But honestly, having someone else take the photo usually looks better. Selfies often have awkward angles.
Test your current photo. See if it scores 65+. If not, time for a new one.
Test My Headshot Free →Industry-specific advice and local professional culture tips.