Having a recent and recognizable profile photo on LinkedIn is essential. Why does it matter? Well, profiles with photos receive:

• 21x more profile views

• 9x more connection requests

• 36x more messages

However, not all photos are equal. Some people try to be a little too clever and artistic with their photos (e.g., using a cute cartoon avatar). Others use logos, a picture of their workplace, or some scenic shot.

But, most are just bad photos from the wrong angles, too far away, or too fuzzy. The worst offenders are those who never even bother to upload an image at all, so their name has a blank icon next to it.

Don’t make any of these mistakes with your profile photo:

• Photo of someone else

• Cartoon image

• Business logo

• Corporate building or office

• Landscape picture

• Side profile of your face

• Your whole body

• Wearing sunglasses

• Low resolution

• Bad lighting (too bright, too dark, shadows on your face)

• Zoomed in too close

• A selfie

• Too far away

• An old photo from years ago

• Frowning or scowling

• Including your pet or …