4 reasons why your LinkedIn background image shouldn't be ignored (2024)

The director of the career center for which I work sat in on one of my LinkedIn workshops. In it I talked about how your whole LinkedIn profile should brand you. I thought I did well and afterward asked her for her thoughts.

She told me, that in fact, I did well but forgot to point out that the background image (which sits behind your headshot) is another area that brands you. I should have known this, but honestly it didn't occur to me until she mentioned it. Boy, did I feel like an idiot.

The background image of the LinkedIn profile seems to get a pass from many LinkedIn members. Instead, they use the light-blue background decorated with dots and lines (below).

4 reasons why your LinkedIn background image shouldn't be ignored (1)

To take a pass on this area is a mistake, as this is the first image people see when they visit your profile. Therefore it should reflect who you are, what you do, your brand, and that you care about your professional image.

It matters

This is prime real estate on your LinkedIn profile. If done well, your image will be properly sized at1,584 by 396 pixels. Any image larger than that will be cropped, so you might not be able to include that great portrait photo of you standing before Mt. Kilimanjaro.

So why don't LinkedIn members put more thought into their background photo, and what does your background image say about you?

Your brand

4 reasons why your LinkedIn background image shouldn't be ignored (2)

This is perhaps the best reason to have a background image on your LinkedIn profile. One of my most valued connections, Shelly Elsliger, PPCC, is all about branding. She takes it to a higher level than most people when it comes todeveloping a unique professional identity and coherent message that sets her apart from others. This is truly reflected in her background image above.

Ask yourself, "What does my background say about me?" If the answer is, "The same ole tired background many LinkedIn members are using, it's time to think about how you can create a unique identity, as Shelly has. Obviously she has gone through the effort of creating her own personalized background. You might not have ability to go that far.

Who you are

4 reasons why your LinkedIn background image shouldn't be ignored (3)

One of my client's background image is of her hiking in theAppalachian Mountains. It works because she loves hiking and wants her connections to know this. Her photo is also work-related, so it is relevant. Double whammy.

You may have a background image of the New York skyline, a tranquil lake, a field where horses are grazing, or anything else that describes you as a person. I recently asked a facetious question of my LinkedIn connections about including family members and pets in your profile background. The answer was a resounding "NO."

What you do

4 reasons why your LinkedIn background image shouldn't be ignored (4)

The photo above is of a woman doing yoga. If you're a yoga instructor, this might be an appropriate background image for your LinkedIn profile. It sends a clear message about what you do.

As, a surgeon, you might not have a background that shows you in action operating on a patient. But perhaps you can find a photo of a hospital you can use as your background. You may have to get permission to use this photo.

That you care

4 reasons why your LinkedIn background image shouldn't be ignored (5)

When you use a background image on your LinkedIn profile, it shows you care about how you present yourself. I was critiquing one of my clients' profile when I noticed, as his background image, a striking photo of Lowell, MA.

Does it represent what he does, program manager? No. Is it branding him? Not really. But it shows he cares about his professional image. He didn't want to leave the default image, because to him it showed that he didn't care about his professional image.

I'm grateful that my director mentioned my faux pas of not mentioning the LinkedIn background image as an important part of the profile. What hurt the most was not realizing how important the background image is to the profile.

If after reading this post, you feel you need to upgrade your background image, no worries. You can get free images fromhttps://stocksnap.io/. I get many of my images from www.flickr.com, which allows you to use their photos as long as you credit the photographer. No problem.

Here are some of my LinkedIn connections who successfully use their background area for some of the reasons stated above: Susan Jepson; Hank Boyer;Hannah Morgan;Pat Weber;Sabrina Woods;Rich Grant;Greg Johnson;Randy Block;Lynda Spiegel; Jim Peacock;Kim Meninger; Scott Engler; Doug Ales;Sultan Camp;Mark Babbit;John White, MBA;Edythe Richards; Marietta Crawford;Maria Fafard;Paul Croubalian;Ingrid Goldbloom Bloch;George Armes;Kurt Foedisch;Bobbie Foedisch;Trent Selbrede;Susan Joyce;Sarah Elkins; Jeff Young;Laura Smith-Proulx; Mark Anthony Dyson; Lori Cleymans; Donna Serdula; Karen Hollenbach; Jon Shields; Jared J. Wiese; Viveka (Vivica) von Rosen; Sid Clark; Teddy Burriss; Wayne Breitbarth; Ed Han; Adrienne Tom; andShelly Elsigler, PPCC.

Is there anyone I've missed? If you know someone (including you) who as a great background image, I'd love to add them to the list. Please tag the @person, as well.

______________________________________________________________________

Bob McIntosh, CPRW, is a career trainer who leads more than 17 job search workshops at an urban career center, as well as critiques LinkedIn profiles and conducts mock interviews. Job seekers and staff look to him for advice on the job search. In addition, Bob has gained a reputation as a LinkedIn authority in the community. Bob’s greatest pleasure is helping people find rewarding careers in a competitive job market. For enjoyment, he blogs at Things Career Related. Follow Bob on Twitter and connect with him on LinkedIn,

Photo of yoga woman is from https://stocksnap.io.

Other photos were provided with permission.

4 reasons why your LinkedIn background image shouldn't be ignored (2024)
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