Great Profile, Bad Photo? Stop Shooting Yourself in the Foot Already
June 3, 2008 by Kristen King
Filed under Business
I’d like to believe that after the skank post in April, we don’t have to have a lengthy conversation about what’s appropriate to wear to work. But APPARENTLY your good common sense doesn’t carry over to your online image, because sweetheart, you look like a ho on your LinkedIn profile.
I’m only saying this because we’re friends, and I would be a bad friend if I didn’t tell you. And, you know, BECAUSE we’re friends, I feel like I can be totally honest with you about this: You need to put up a new photo or have no photo at all. You’re at WORK for goodness’ sake.
Seriously, we’ve been BFFs for, like, EVER, and even I am too embarrassed to link to you because you look like you’re at a FRAT party. Who cares that you graduated from an awesome school at the top of your class for undergrad and have a master’s degee at 25? The fact that you’re treating your LinkedIn profile like your MySpace page does NOT say anything good about your level of professionalism. (And did you miss the memo that MySpace is only cool if you’re 15??? Honey, please, you’re killing me here.)
Let me make it really simple:
- If I can see your cleavage, your photo should not be on LinkedIn.
- If I can see the part of your body where your leg connects to your butt, your photo should not be on LinkedIn.
- If you’re wearing 5 pounds of makeup, your photo should not be on LinkedIn.
- If you’re using a soft-focus lens, your photo should not be on LinkedIn.
- If the picture was taken while you were "out with the girls," your photo should not be on LinkedIn.
Need I go on? Grow. Up. If you want to be taken seriously, act like it. You’re putting yourself out there for the world to see, and your career is on the line. And so is the career of every person who connects to you.
You don’t have to wear a suit. You can be casual — just be nice-casual instead of slutty-casual.
Don’t be mad, okay? It’s just, you can do so much better. Love ya, hon.
Contents © Copyright 2008 Kristen King
Tags: women and business, women in business, women, woman, business, linkedin, linked in, online profile, social networking, business networking, professional networking, online image, glamour shot, photo, picture, avatar, skank, slut, ho, biz chicks rule, kristen king
Damn, you made me go look. Whew! All parts covered, no margaritas present, and I look somewhat smart. Amen.
Thanks for the reality check. :))
LOL, Lori, you NEVER look like a ho online. That’s why we’re friends. Well, one of the reasons, anyway. ;)
That is too funny. Should be required reading at every workplace! I wish I could send my friend to this page without being obvious..hmm I’ll think of something. Well said!
Oh, gods.
It’s so TRUE.
I actually know a girl who was declined for a job they really wanted her for, because they could not find a single photo of her online (facebook or myspace) that did not have alcohol evident somewhere in the photo (actual bottles, glazed expressions, WAY too much exuberance).
Not kidding. They would have hired her had she had just a few offsetting pictures that showed her capable of having a professional life. But she didn’t.
Scary.
@Jo – How cool would it be to start consulting at offices and lining everyone to tell them what the look like on LinkedIn: “Ho. Skank. Loser. Frat boy. Skater. Skank. Skank. Ho. Street bum. Ho.” Let me know what you come up with for your friend!
@Tei – That is NUTS! You think that girl would want to talk to me for an interview? I’d love to have her!