5 Professional Profile Picture Rules

Many people underestimate just how important your online personal persona really is. Your online personal persona is how you are viewed online.... and it all starts with your profile picture! This is the first impression people get when they go to look for you, as an employer, as a potential client and the list goes on. You want to make sure your picture is as professional as possible and here are some must follow rules to make sure you are leaving the most professional personal persona you can:

1. Use an actual photo. A blank space, logo, meme or anything that is NOT an actual picture of you is distracting from the professional connection you are trying to portray.

2. Use an up to date photo. No one wants to see what you looked like 3 years ago. People who are viewing your profile want to be able to recognize you, so use a current photo. This way they will be able to identify you in person. It also shows you are consistent and up to date with your social media sites.

3. You should be the main and only focus. Sure your pet, spouse or child may be super cute and you want to show them off, but this is not the place. Make the photo focus only on you. Try to avoid cropping group photos or photos that focus on a background more than your face. Remember this is your chance to leave YOUR impression on a future employer, client, etc.

4. Keep it polished. Make sure when choosing a profile picture you are dressed in what you want to be perceived in the business world. Example, you should be wearing clothing you would wear on the job and not what you wore to the bar last Saturday night. Also, watch how much you edit pictures. You should really try not to do this at all. Sure a snap chat filter may be cute, but leave it on snap chat. Filters can sometimes leave your pictures looking blurry and unprofessional.

5. Be confident. Make sure you are giving out a personal persona you want people to remember. Look like you are ready to take on the new job or the new client! You should focus on the camera, sit up straight and give a big smile! You want to look approachable as well as ready to take on the world!