LinkedIn is one of the world’s best professional social networks for showcasing your skills, expertise, education, etc. to potential employers and recruiters. If you’re a recent graduate of a university, we know it’s important for you to let the world know that you’ve completed your bachelor’s or master’s degrees and are ready to re-establish yourself in the workforce. Hence, this question often comes to your mind: Can I use my graduation picture on LinkedIn?
Yes, you can use your graduation picture on LinkedIn, especially if it's a professional-looking photo. However, it's important to ensure that the photo is recent and represents you in a positive light. Ideally, the photo should be a headshot or a professional-looking photo taken in a work-related setting.
Use your graduation photos in your LinkedIn profile or not
Certainly, it’s very pleasant and full of pride for you who’ve waited for years to successfully complete the courses from a prestigious university, to show off your success to your friends and family via your pictures at the graduation ceremony on social media such as Instagram, Facebook, etc.
It might be a great idea to replace your graduation photos on your LinkedIn profile. Mightn’t it?
Maybe you’ve seen some LinkedIn users who’ve put a photo of themselves in a graduation cap and dress as their LinkedIn profile picture.
When you capture that magical moment of graduation in a photo and now you want to use it on your LinkedIn page, according to some experts, it’s not a very wise thing to do, as well as doesn’t bring any special advantage to you.
Maybe that’s why employers and recruiters think you’re inexperienced and lack the necessary skills and qualifications for their job position as soon as they see this picture.
As mentioned on LinkedIn, believe it or not, many employers firmly believe that the vast majority of college graduates lack the main skills to land a variety of jobs.
Unfortunately, they don’t acquire job-related skills in their universities, including face-to-face interpersonal relationships, work ethics, and so on.
You may be surprised that some individuals even without any university degree are known as the most successful entrepreneurs in their business and more interestingly, they learned all their professional skills and expertise in the market and not in the university.
Be honest with yourself! If you’re an employer and recruiter, which persons would you rather hire as your employee: people who put their graduation picture on their LinkedIn profile or those who chose a standard and professional photo for their profile?
Which group seems more professional and qualified to get your target job position?
Why and how should we choose the right photo for our LinkedIn profile?
As we all know, in order to be successful on LinkedIn and improve the level of work and business relationships, the first step, and in fact, the most important step is that we have to create a professional and standard profile using the principles and rules of LinkedIn.
Bear in mind that your LinkedIn photo is always one of the most significant elements of your profile.
It’s better to know that when recruiters or employers view your LinkedIn picture for the first time, they may consider you as a top talent for the job they’re looking for if you add an appropriate and acceptable picture to your LinkedIn profile.
To begin with, we need to put a professional and appropriate photo on our LinkedIn profile.
As a rule of thumb, it’s recommended that you choose the right picture for your LinkedIn profile. This is because all company hiring managers check your profile carefully on LinkedIn.
So, we strongly advise you to opt for your profile picture according to the traditional profile picture standards on LinkedIn and use a professional headshot to receive more and better job recommendations, as well as avoid putting your family photos of events, celebrations, parties, etc.
What pictures shouldn’t we use for our profile photos?
According to LinkedIn, your profile picture can be removed by LinkedIn only if:
- You use a picture that doesn’t include your likeness or a headshot photo
- You use animal pictures for your profile photo
- You use the company logo for your profile photo
- You use landscapes pictures for your profile photo
- You use pictures related to text, words, or letters for your profile photo
- You use stock pictures and other images for your profile photo.
How can I change the graduation picture on my LinkedIn profile?
As mentioned earlier, adding a good profile photo will increase your profile credibility, because LinkedIn members will feel free to send you an invitation to connect or accept your invitation when they see your photo.
LinkedIn allows you to add, edit, change, and remove your profile picture from your profile page whenever you want.
It’s worth mentioning that you can even change the visibility of your profile picture and choose who can see your profile picture.
To delete or change your graduation picture on your LinkedIn profile, you need to follow these simple steps:
1. Click the Me icon at the top right of your LinkedIn homepage.
2. Click on the View Profile tab.
3. Click on your graduation picture at the top left of your profile page.
4. From the profile picture pop-up box, click the Delete button.
Note:
At this step, instead of deleting your graduation photo, you can add another photo to your profile. To do this, click the Add photo button.
From the add photo pop-up box, you can use your device’s camera to take a photo, or you can select a photo from your computer and then upload it.
5. To confirm the deletion of your graduation photo, click on the Delete button from the opened box.
How can I use my graduation picture on LinkedIn?
Although LinkedIn is not a good place to record your personal moments, you can publish your graduation pictures as a post on LinkedIn so that all your friends, connections, followers, and others will know about your graduation on this platform.
Related Questions & Answers
Can I Use my Graduation Picture in my Resume?
Yes, you can use your graduation picture in your resume if you believe it adds value and professionalism to your application. Including a graduation picture can help personalize your resume and provide a visual representation of your achievements. However, it is important to consider the norms and expectations in your industry and region. In some fields, such as modeling or acting, including a picture may be more common, while in others, like finance or technology, it may be less common or even discouraged. Make sure to research and understand the expectations of your specific industry and target audience before deciding to include a graduation picture in your resume.
If you choose to include a graduation picture, ensure that it is a high-quality, professional-looking photograph. Dress appropriately and maintain a clean and neat appearance. Your picture should be recent and clearly show your face. Remember that the main focus of your resume should still be your qualifications, skills, and experiences. The graduation picture should complement the content of your resume rather than overshadow it. Ultimately, it is your personal choice whether to include a graduation picture, so consider the context, industry norms, and your personal preferences when making the decision.
Good vs bad LinkedIn photos
A good LinkedIn photo is one that presents a professional and approachable image of yourself. It should be clear, well-lit, and of high quality. Use a headshot where your face is the main focus, with a neutral background that doesn’t distract from your appearance. Dress appropriately for your industry and position, ensuring that your attire is polished and aligns with professional standards. Maintain good posture and a friendly expression, conveying confidence and approachability. Remember to smile naturally and make eye contact with the camera. A good LinkedIn photo can create a positive first impression and help establish credibility and trustworthiness.
On the other hand, a bad LinkedIn photo can be unprofessional and negatively impact your profile. Avoid using photos that are blurry, pixelated, or low-resolution, as they may convey a lack of attention to detail or professionalism. Steer clear of group photos or images where you are not clearly identifiable, as they can be confusing for visitors trying to identify you. Additionally, avoid using overly casual or inappropriate photos that do not align with the professional nature of LinkedIn. This includes photos with sunglasses, excessive filters, or inappropriate poses. Remember, your LinkedIn photo is often the first impression people have of you, so it’s crucial to present yourself in a professional and respectable manner.
Conclusion
Your profile picture always plays a key role in building your credibility as a candidate. So, going back to the first question you may have after graduation: Can I use my graduation picture on LinkedIn? As a recruiter, we highly recommend you never utilize a degree photo in your LinkedIn profile.
Although you’re obviously eager to use it as a fresh graduate, it can’t say anything regarding your potential skills and expertise in the professional world of LinkedIn.
FAQ
What photos are not accepted on LinkedIn?
LinkedIn has specific guidelines for profile photos to maintain a professional and respectful atmosphere on the platform. Photos that are not accepted typically include:
- Non-Personal Images: LinkedIn is for personal professional profiles, so photos of objects, animals, or abstract images are generally not accepted.
- Inappropriate Content: Any photos containing explicit, offensive, or inappropriate content are strictly against LinkedIn’s guidelines.
- Low-Quality Images: Blurry, pixelated, or heavily filtered photos that make it difficult to see your face clearly are discouraged.
- Group Photos: While group photos are great for personal social media, LinkedIn prefers solo headshots so others can clearly identify you.
- Non-Professional Attire: LinkedIn encourages professional attire in profile photos. Avoid overly casual, party, or beachwear photos.
- Logos or Graphics: Using your company logo or other graphics as your profile photo is against LinkedIn’s guidelines for personal profiles. It’s more suitable for a company page.
- Copyrighted Images: Using copyrighted images without permission is not allowed.
It’s essential to choose a professional, clear, and respectful photo that represents you as a business professional when uploading an image to LinkedIn. Violating these guidelines could result in your photo being removed or your account facing restrictions.
Is it okay to put your graduation picture in resume?
Using a graduation picture on your resume is generally not recommended in most professional settings, especially in many Western countries. Resumes are typically expected to focus on your qualifications, skills, and work experience rather than personal appearance. Including a photo can potentially introduce bias into the hiring process, which is why it’s discouraged in many regions to ensure fair hiring practices. However, in some cultures and industries, it may be more common and acceptable to include a photo. Always check the norms and expectations in your specific region and industry before deciding whether to include a graduation picture or any photo on your resume.
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