Dear Job Doctor,

How formal should my LinkedIn photo be? Of course I want to be professional, but what about showing a little personality? What about for a CV photo?

Let’s start with LinkedIn, as this is the one place I recommend adding a photo of yourself. On top of the fact that it “completes” your profile, there are a couple of interpersonal reasons why it is important if you wish your profile to be visited and contacted.

When professionals across the world create a search on LinkedIn, a list appears consisting of names, job titles, and--importantly--faces. It is well documented that instinctive human conditioning draws our immediate attention to faces, regardless of their perceived attractiveness. Therefore those without a photo on LinkedIn, “a face”, are the last to be considered for contact, if at all.

Also, some professional connections will be superb at remembering your name. Some better at remembering your face. So it also makes it easier to cover all your potential requests to connect if you have both options.

Thirdly, a photo provides an indication that the profile is up to date and information with a “real person” behind it, and therefore if the searcher makes contact they will get a response.

So if you do decide to go ahead and add a photo to your LinkedIn profile for the reasons above, the photo should be “business professional”; your interview image. Head and shoulder shot only in business attire suitable to your industry--like a passport photo in your work clothes. In this visual presentation, it’s good to smile and look welcoming, though do remain relatively conservative in case your “attempted personality” is misinterpreted. I’ve seen some that I personally took to look miserable, too relaxed, and even angry, and I’m sure this was not the impression the person set out to give!

Even though there are many good templates and guidance found online, I continue to see many poorly taken photos. I recommend you use a professional or a friend who is an accomplished photographer.

Further tips for CV writing and the possible inclusion of a photo on this document can be found this column.

Darren Robinson is managing director of Badenoch & Clark Luxembourg, the largest staffing and recruitment firm in the Grand Duchy.

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