There was a time when having a clever drawing or something as your photo on your Twitter profile was acceptable. It was even cute.

The same was true for Facebook, LinkedIn, and other social media outlets. You could get away with using something other than a photo. Some people used their firm logo or a cute photo of something other than their face.

That time has passed.

What We’re Looking For

Today, we go to these outlets to get a feel for you, your qualifications, and your personality. We expect to see an accurate photo of you posted right next to your name.

We’re not interested in something cute or glamorous. We’re not looking for something artistic or something that represents what you looked like 20 years ago.

We expect a picture of you that resembles you. Given the space and size limitations of these sites, we expect to mostly see your face. We’ll take a little neck, but we really want to see your eyes, nose, mouth, ears, and hair. Give us what we want.

Why It Matters

We’re likely looking for you on these sites because we have some interest in doing business with you. Mostly, we’re not checking you out because we were your high school sweetheart. We’re serious about figuring you out, and we’re annoyed when we bump into your stupid caricature from 2009.

I admit to having used a drawing of myself on some of these sites back in the day. That was then. This is now, and that time is over.

I’m using a picture of me. It’s accurate. It’s not beautiful, but it’s the best I can do. I had it taken by a professional photographer, and I paid him $250. He didn’t have much to work with, and he did a pretty good job with the face I provided.

If you’re doing something other than posting a picture of your face, then it’s time to change what you’re doing. Get a picture.

I know, I know, I’m suggesting limits on your creative side. I’m reeling you in and cutting off your options for self-expression.

Of course, you get to decide. You get to decide whether to get paid by those looking for your picture or whether to annoy them and encourage them to look elsewhere.