If you're looking to create a customized LinkedIn banner, many design tools have templates available, so all you need to do is edit the text with your own info.

To avoid having the same image that a zillion other people have, use more specific, descriptive words when searching, such as 'minimalistic green desk' or 'black and white NYC skyline.' If you go the stock image route, I'd recommend sourcing from free stock image websites to be sure you're allowed to use the photo you choose. If you're using a photo taken from an iPhone, tap the icon that looks like a lowercase 'i' in a circle to check the resolution and pixel size. Just be sure it's decent quality and doesn't appear blurry when you upload it. Using a photo you've taken is probably the easiest (and most personal) way to get something up on your profile-and you don't need to be a photographer or graphic designer to do it. Where should you go about finding these images? Here are a few options. The quick fix to improve your resume in 5 minutes, says hiring expertįormer Google recruiter's No.Where to source images for your LinkedIn banner This common LinkedIn mistake can hurt your chances of landing a job offer-how to avoid it Register for free today.ĭON'T MISS: Want to be smarter and more successful with your money, work & life? Sign up for our new newsletter! ET to learn how to level up your interview and negotiating skills, build your ideal career, boost your income and grow your wealth. Want to earn more and land your dream job? Join the free CNBC Make It: Your Money virtual event on Oct. Ultimately, when recruiters see that you're actively participating in a thoughtful way, it shows that you have 'intellectual curiosity,' says Octavia Goredema, career coach and author of ' PREP, PUSH, PIVOT.' It also shows that you're 'interested in amplifying perhaps the work or insights of others and it's not just self-promotion.'

Share photos from some of your day-to-day work. Share articles that are relevant to what you do. 'There's conversations around almost every topic, right? So I think whatever your focus is, or your area of expertise is, being a part of the conversation is really useful.'įollow thought leaders in your field and comment on their posts. 'There are so many industries and fields that are represented on LinkedIn and across the board,' says Darrisaw. 'You can do as many features links as you want,' says Gavin, 'but the maximum that will show up on your profile without the user having to click anything else is three.' Engaging in conversation about your industry shows 'intellectual curiosity'įinally, another great way to showcase your enthusiasm about your work is the activity section of your profile. Whatever platform you choose, it's an opportunity to give a more in-depth look at who you are as a professional right upfront. Darrisaw's profile features a series of links to YouTube videos she's featured in. This can be in a Medium post or a LinkedIn article, for example. But even if you don't have links readily available, you can still 'write something about your particular approach to work,' says Gavin. This can be pretty straightforward for people who are in journalism, marketing or who do public speaking, as these can often provide digital proof of your output. They show up even before your professional timeline and are a 'really great way to show proof of the work that you've done.' 'If your work or something that you do professionally is linkable, then use featured links,' says Gavin. Featured links are a 'great way to show proof' of workīelow the banner and the uppermost section of the profile is the featured links section. Career coach Angelina Darrisaw's company, C-Suite Coach, won the Major League Baseball's award for most valuable business partner in 2022, 'so we have that in my banner,' she says. Gavin's banner photo describes what she does for a living - career and leadership coach, author, speaker - then features the many media outlets she's been featured on, for example. Describe 'yourself as a professional in a way that helps people immediately understand who you are,' says Gavin. You can use sites like or reach out to graphic design friends to create a captivating design, then overlay that design with some relevant text. Take advantage of this prime real estate to give a powerful first impression of who you are as a professional. 'It's the biggest visual asset on the profile,' says Gavin, adding that 'you can do anything with that image.' The first thing that people see when they click on your LinkedIn is your banner photo.

Linkedin header tips