A well-chosen profile photo could help protect your JSS

[#1]

What makes for a professional profile photo?

Imagine a client going berserk (perhaps with good reason) and the freelancer’s photo shows an over-friendly person.

What effect would that beaming face have on the client?

The client might very well end up leaving a stinging private feedback.

Many freelancers show a happy face, while some others appear not just friendly but almost flirtatious.

Wouldn’t it be wiser to use a more professional pose?

Edited to ensure the post is gender-neutral. Some words are more commonly associated with a specific gender.

[#2]

I think you've given this too much thought. However, yes, if someone is mad at you, a photo with a silly smile on your face is not going to help you any.

[#3]

Perhap so.

I would rather err on the safer side. 😁

[#4]

In more than 20 years on this website, I have never had a client "go berserk". If this is something that you need to worry about, you've got bigger problems than just your photo. 

When I see a photo of a freelancer who's scowling in their photo - and a lot of freelancers' photos look like mug shots, frankly, especially the men - that's way more off-putting. In fact, when I've hired as a client and scrolled down the list of proposals, I'm much more likely to consider someone who looks happy and smiling. I wouldn't want to work with someone who seems bored, sullen or miserable.

[#5]

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 wrote:

In more than 20 years on this website, I have never had a client "go berserk". If this is something that you need to worry about, you've got bigger problems than just your photo. 

When I see a photo of a freelancer who's scowling in their photo - and a lot of freelancers' photos look like mug shots, frankly, especially the men - that's way more off-putting. In fact, when I've hired as a client and scrolled down the list of proposals, I'm much more likely to consider someone who looks happy and smiling. I wouldn't want to work with someone who seems bored, sullen or miserable.

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You're going to the other extreme: scowling, bored, sullen, miserable?

There is such a thing as a polite smile.

BTW, I was not referring to any particular gender.

Berserk is perhaps a strong word. How arbour the client feeing angry or upset?

A beaming male, female, or other face could compound the problem.

[#6]

I've never had a client get angry or upset, either, but if they did, I should think that my profile photo would be low on their list of reasons for giving me a bad review. IMO, the best way to protect your JSS is by doing good work, not by smiling exactly the right amount in your profile photo.

[#7]

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 wrote:

I've never had a client get angry or upset, either, but if they did, I should think that my profile photo would be low on their list of reasons for giving me a bad review. IMO, the best way to protect your JSS is by doing good work, not by smiling exactly the right amount in your profile photo.

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Haha!

Of course, there is no substitute for good work.