The Psychology Behind a Powerful LinkedIn Headshot

One headshot is all you get on LinkedIn. That's why you've got to play it smart to increase the chances of landing your dream job…

Far from being the most visually stimulating social media platform, LinkedIn still presents you visually by showcasing a headshot at the top of the page. Usually, this is what recruiters remember, as our brains are better at recalling faces than, for example, generic information about college degrees and soft skills.

A high-quality LinkedIn headshot makes it easier for potential employers to remember you, create a positive first impression, and perceive you as a personal brand. But don't just take our word for it…

We have found several psychology studies that reinforce the idea that LinkedIn headshots play a pivotal role in the modern hiring process, and we're more than ready to share them with you. Below, you can also see how Headshot Kiwi can help you generate the perfect LinkedIn headshot in just a few minutes.

1: Lasting First Impressions

Human beings are stubborn. Psychology tells us that when we get our minds fixed on something, we have a hard time letting go. This phenomenon is often dubbed the first impression bias, and even if we're aware of it, we cannot help but fall for its many traps.

On LinkedIn, first impressions are driven by the profile's headshot because this is usually the only visual element on the page. The importance of the headshot is further justified by the fact that creating a first impression takes our brains a mere one-tenth of a second!

This means that, before even reading your LinkedIn bio, recruiters will already have formed a basic opinion of you based solely on the available headshot.

While first impressions aren't forever, it's unlikely that potential employers will take the time to change their immediate opinion of you when they're being exposed to hundreds or even thousands of other candidates.

2: No Photos, No Fun

If LinkedIn headshots can create negative first impressions, wouldn't it be safer to get rid of them? If recruiters don't like your face, maybe they will want to hire if the first thing they see on your photo-less profile is that employer of the year award you got in 2019, right? Well… Wrong!

A poor headshot can hurt your job ambitions on LinkedIn, but no headshot at all is the worst possible option. Psychologically, human beings are more open to trusting, liking, and hiring a face rather than a list of qualifications and achievements.

Think about it: would you ever go on a Tinder date with someone you've never seen, even if that person has a terrific bio? In many ways, recruiters' brains are wired just the same. Real-world statistic seems to back this notion, as LinkedIn profiles with photos get 36 times more messages and up to 21 times more views, significantly increasing your chances of getting hired.

3: It's All About the Looks

For better or worse, the most important thing psychology tells us about LinkedIn photos is that looks matter (a lot) in the context of the job market. By looks, we don't mean being less or more attractive, but merely "fitting the part", i.e., displaying the sort of professional traits that recruiters tend to enjoy.

A study involving more than two million job applications on a popular freelancer's website determined that freelancers who look the part are "more likely to be hired". There's no reason to assume the same doesn't happen on LinkedIn.

Correlation, even if based on limited information, is another huge psychological aspect that influences the decisions of employers during the recruitment process. According to Harvard Business Review, for example, many people still correlate glasses with intelligence; this type of association applies to many other physical aspects (like believing that a candidate who wears a suit on his headshot is more professional than one wearing a t-shirt).

Using Psychology to Create Better LinkedIn Headshots

With the help of psychology, we have determined that LinkedIn headshots are a decisive factor that influences the decisions of online recruiters. But how can psychology help us create more effective headshots?

Here are a few tips, fully backed by up-to-date studies in the field:

Inspire trust with a smile

Studies show that smiling in your headshot makes recruiters perceive you as more competent, trustworthy, and sincere. The trick is to use the right smile… Many experts recommend using a Duchenne smile in your headshot, so make sure you master this particular facial expression.

Consider color

Colors have a lot of psychological power, even if we don't consciously notice it. Applying to work at a bank? Using blue clothes is the way to go, as blue is associated with stability and reliability. Looking to join an exciting new start-up? Red attire is advised, as it conveys energy, dynamism, and confidence.

Make eye contact

To create a lasting impression on recruiters, psychology says you should "look them in the eye". Making eye contact, even if artificially, through a screen, can subconsciously give you an edge, as research shows that "direct gaze is associated with confidence, interest, and attraction". Looking away, on the other hand, can make you look weak and unassertive.

Taking Things to the Next Level With Headshot Kiwi

Psychology tells us that LinkedIn headshots are vital in influencing the hiring process, so you really don't want to mess up yours… If recruiters keep ignoring you on LinkedIn, it's probably time to make a change and craft a headshot that actually hits the mark.

With Headshot Kiwi, creating the perfect LinkedIn headshot takes only a few minutes, with no need to waste time on a photoshoot or hiring a professional photographer. You just need to upload around 13 selfies (make sure they're quality ones) for Headshot Kiwi to generate several AI headshots that can help you stand out in a competitive job market.

The next step is to choose the one you like the most and upload it to LinkedIn. In general, AI headshots are more psychologically effective than "normal" headshots because:

• AI systems are designed to make pictures as appealing as possible, including elements that, albeit not obvious, subconsciously increase an image's memorability, lighting, framing, and so forth.
• Quality AI-generated headshots are accurate representations of you, but with a little something extra… In other words, they will make you look as good as possible without making you look like someone else.
• Since they can be produced en masse, AI headshots can be easily altered and replaced. If your latest LinkedIn headshot isn't bringing you results, just stir things up by generating a new one. Continue trying and testing headshots until you find something that works for you (and your future employer).