Choosing a LinkedIn Profile Photo + Implicit Bias

As a career coach, I’m often asked, “Is this a good LinkedIn profile photo?” And I always give an honest answer. Here’s what I typically look for:

✅ Professional attire (whatever you’d wear to work)
✅ A recent photo that actually looks like you
✅ Just you in the shot (no pets, no cropped-out friends)
✅ Your face takes up at least 60% of the frame
✅ A clear, distraction-free background
✅ Bonus points for a genuine smile 🙂

That said, I recently learned about a free tool called Photofeeler, which lets you get feedback on how your photo is perceived—based on qualities like competence, likability, and influence.

You upload a photo, vote on others to earn credits, and receive feedback from real people. It’s an interesting way to test how your image comes across—especially if you're not sure which photo feels "right" for your professional profile.

But let’s look at this a little deeper.

🧠 Tools like this can be useful, but they’re also shaped by implicit bias.

We all carry unconscious assumptions about age, gender, race, expression, ability, attire, and more—and those affect how we perceive strangers’ photos, especially in a split-second first impression.

So while it can be helpful to crowdsource reactions, it’s also important to hold those reactions lightly. A lower score doesn't necessarily mean your photo is wrong—it may just mean you’re being seen through a biased lens.

Have you ever used Photofeeler (or anything like it)? What helps you decide what feels professional and authentic to you? How do you navigate the tension between being “marketable” and showing up as your full self?

Thanks to Marie Zimenoff at Career Thought Leaders for recommending this tool—and for helping coaches stay thoughtful in how we approach job search guidance.

Have questions? Not sure where to start? I’d love to help—feel free to reach out! Schedule a Discovery Call with me here.