With fall recruitment right around the corner, now’s the time to update your LinkedIn profile with your summer experiences and make sure your profile picture is welcoming and professional. Check out these tips for taking the perfect LinkedIn profile pictures right here in Howard L. Hawks Hall.
Tip #1: Distant Background. Create distance between you and the background. The distance makes the background blurry, which helps the focus stay on your face. Try this Hawks Hall Location: 3rd floor balcony with atrium in the background.
Photo example: https://go.unl.edu/headshot-tip1
Tip #2: Body Angles. Pose your body at a sight angle with your face toward the camera, with either (1) one hand on your waist or in your pocket, (2) your arms crossed, or (3) one hand or elbow resting on a railing or table. Try this Hawks Hall Location: Beside north stairway with the Business Career Center in the background.
Photo example: https://go.unl.edu/headshot-tip2
Tip #3: Find the Right Light. Ensure the light is shining onto the front of you (not coming from behind). Find a bright spot but in a light shadow (not too bright or too dim). Turn on your flash if natural light is low. Remember lighting varies throughout the day so scope out locations at various times of day to find the perfect light. Try this Hawks Hall Location: The southwest hallway outside of BASE.
Photo example: https://go.unl.edu/headshot-tip3
Tip #4: Allow for Cropping. Take the photo from farther away (at least from the waist up) to allow for cropping for different purposes. For LinkedIn, the profile picture dimensions should be 400 x 400, and your face should fill 60% of the frame. (If you opt to add a background picture as well, those dimensions are 1584 x 396.) Try this Hawks Hall Location: Welcome Center with the college’s mission statement in the background.
Photo example: https://go.unl.edu/headshot-tip4
A career coach in the Business Career Center can take the picture for you using your phone. Schedule an appointment (go.unl.edu/bizcareerappt) or utilize our drop-in hours (weekdays 1-4pm). One last tip – don't forget to smile!