Digital Marketing

As a job seeker, do I have to post my image on LinkedIn?

People wonder if posting an image is an advantage or not. Some are skeptical that it literally presents the wrong image. Common issues that come up during the “to publish or not to publish” debate are:

> MATURE:

“If they see how old I am, they will never hire me.”
“They will project that they can’t pay me because I have experience.”
“They will think I can’t fit in with the younger workers.”

> WOMEN:

“This is too much like a dating service.”
“I want to be hired for my achievements, not for my appearance.”
“They won’t hire me because I’m _______.”

> MINORITIES:

“I want to be hired for my accomplishments, not because I fill a need for diversity.”
“They won’t hire me because I’m _______.”
“Employers fear claims of discrimination if there are problems with performance, promotion or termination.”

All the concerns indicated are valid for those who express them. That we have to consider these things at all is the real problem. Given that these concerns exist, what is the answer to the title question, “As a job seeker, should I post my photo on LinkedIn?” The answer is yes and here’s why:

You use LinkedIn because it’s the #1 online professional networking medium. It’s a place for you to express your talents, accomplishments, and visions, and market your skills, services, and ideas to millions of people around the world. This gives you access to professionals in all fields, gives you a front row seat to discussions with experts, and is invaluable to job seekers.

Did you know that 80% of recruiters go online to do preliminary research on candidates? They search for you on Google, they check your Facebook page, your Twitter account and your LinkedIn profile.

If your photo is published and there is any discriminatory bias lurking in the hiring company’s practices, it will be removed, perhaps for one of the reasons listed above. It can be hard to believe that this is actually a good thing. Why? First, would you like to work for a company or manager that has that bias?

Second, if they ask you to go to an interview and you didn’t post a photo, they will see you in person and you may be faced with an awkward situation. If you’ve ever met someone whose bias (whatever you are) shows so clearly in her expression, you know how he makes you feel. If you had known what his prejudices were, you would not have taken the opportunity. If you had posted your photo, you might not have been invited for an interview. Either way, the awkward situation would not have occurred.

You can avoid that kind of experience by eliminating the opportunity to meet people who encourage that kind of discrimination. Spare yourself the trauma of meeting another person who is not part of the globally tolerant community. If someone doesn’t choose you because of what your photo tells them, it’s their loss in many ways.

Post your photo. Be proud of who you are and what you have accomplished. There is an employer out there who will be happy to have you in organizing him.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *