Profile Photo Key to Making a Good First Impression: LinkedIn Study

A significant number of Indian professionals feel that first impressions are based on the person's online profile image, says a survey.

Further, the survey by professional networking site LinkedIn found that about 35 percent of Indian professionals felt that it was important to regularly update their profile picture.

"Overall, more than one in three Indian professionals across all age groups said their first impressions about someone are based on their online profile picture, second-highest globally after China (38 percent). Interestingly, this figure was the highest among Indian millennials (those aged 18-34 years)," it said.

According to the survey, about 42 percent of the Indian millennials admitted to being more careful about their profile picture on professional networking sites.

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"This behaviour was most prominent among professionals representing industries such as travel & transport (50 percent), human resources (44 percent) and arts & culture (44 percent)," it noted.

The findings are based on a survey that covered over 15,000 full-time professionals aged between 18-66 years and spread across 19 countries, including India, China and the US.

LinkedIn last month slashed its full-year profit forecast, citing slower revenue growth at its hiring business and a delay in recognising the contribution of lynda.com, the online education company it has agreed to buy.

The professional social network operator agreed to buy lynda.com for about $1.5 billion and expects to close the acquisition in the second quarter. The company expects revenue contribution from Lynda to be delayed as it works its way to complete the integration.

Written with agency inputs