Overcoming Racial and Age-based Prejudice in Choosing Your LinkedIn Profile Picture

In the competitive arena of the LinkedIn job market, it is essential to make a strong impression and differentiate oneself from the competition. However, some candidates are concerned that their age or race might negatively impact their chances of getting an initial interview.

When job seekers refrain from including profile photos or their years of experience, it can be a sign that they are trying to avoid the potential biases that might be associated with those factors.

According to marketing expert Jacob Brown, "There is a genuine concern among candidates about how they might be perceived based on their profile picture or assumed age. I've heard of people not including profile photos for multiple reasons, such as fear of bias and lack of a professional headshot. Both of these concerns are valid.

Discrimination At Work

Looking at a LinkedIn profile often leads to assumptions being made about a person's race and age. This type of unconscious bias, along with recent studies on workplace discrimination, are valid reasons for concern among some job seekers. Studies suggest that age discrimination is on the rise and has reached its highest level since 2003. According to AARP, nearly "78% of older workers have witnessed or experienced age discrimination in the workplace."

Dove's research on hair-based discrimination against Black women reveals disturbing statistics as well. For example, "Black women are 1.5 times more likely to be sent home from work because of their hair," and as a result, Black women are "80% more likely to change their natural hair to conform to social norms and expectations at work." This pressure to alter hair also extends to profile photos on LinkedIn.

Despite the recent progress in increasing diversity in the corporate world, it is still a challenging environment, especially at the highest levels of leadership. Recent statistics show that there has been a significant increase in diversity in leadership positions in 2022, with a record number of 44 women and four Black CEOs leading Fortune 500 companies. Additionally, a large majority of workers, around 80%, express the desire to work for companies that prioritize diversity, equity, and inclusion.

However, for job seekers who choose to omit their photos and dates of experience from their LinkedIn profiles, the risk is that they will be overlooked in the pool of applicants due to obscurity. While discrimination is a real concern, not including a photo may also make it difficult for them to get an interview.

Penalties For Incomplete Profiles

Failing to include a profile photo on LinkedIn can have serious consequences when looking for a job. According to LinkedIn's Official Blog, members who have a profile photo receive "21 times more profile views and up to 36 times more messages" than those who don't. Profiles that are missing images and basic information are less likely to appear in search results, making them less discoverable to headhunters and hiring managers.

Some members upload generic stock images such as landscapes, animals, or phrases to show up in search results. However, this practice violates LinkedIn's Profile Guidelines and the photo will be removed if it does not comply with their User Agreement.

If a member's profile photo is removed three times, they will permanently lose the ability to upload an image to their profile.

Landing Your Next Role

1) Lean Into Authenticity

If you are unable to upload a profile photo to your LinkedIn account, one option you can consider is creating a new profile. This will give you the opportunity to include a photo if you decide to do so later on. A profile photo doesn't have to be expensive, it should be a clear medium close-up shot without any distractions in the background. When deciding whether or not to include your graduation year on your profile, remember that a simple work history scroll can quickly reveal your age.

While hiding certain aspects of your identity might help increase your chances of getting an initial interview, it's important to remember that face-to-face interactions through video and on-site interviews will eventually be necessary. Given this reality of job hunting, some are choosing to embrace their individuality.

As marketing veteran Jacob Brown said, "I have noticed more people taking a stand and embracing their authenticity. I've seen people wearing their hair more naturally, wearing bold lipstick, and not covering up tattoos or piercings.

2) Work Your Network

LinkedIn is just one of the many ways to find a new job. Research indicates that "80% of people find new employment through their personal network, and as much as 70% of new job opportunities are not advertised online." Reaching out to your network and letting them know that you are looking for a new role can be very effective. Also, asking to stay in touch and to schedule video calls to connect can help build your opportunities. These actions can be more impactful than simply sending applications.

A study published by The Harvard Business Review produced interesting findings by conducting experiments involving 20 million people. They discovered that "moderately weak connections - and not strong connections - are the most beneficial in finding a new job." This means that networking with people who are connected to your friends can be helpful.

It's important to remember that the job interview process goes both ways. You are interviewing the company as much as they are interviewing you, to learn about their work culture and potential. It's essential to be mindful that if a company has discriminatory hiring practices, it may not be the best fit for you, regardless of your profile photo or age. Additionally, by including a profile photo and graduation date, you can quickly eliminate companies that are not a good fit for you.