How can a professional headshot help your job search?

People interact with other people. When you lack a profile picture, you look like someone who doesn’t care, participate, or engage. All of these qualities are essential in putting your best foot forward as multiple organizations use LinkedIn to engage talent. Additionally, if it looks like you don’t use your account, people will prioritize others assuming that they will be more likely to engage and not waste their credits.

Eye tracking studies have shown that we are naturally drawn to people's faces and spend 19% of the time on our profile picture. So ensuring you are "easy on the eyes," is key. I work with military clients and they opt for a military headshot as their primary profile photo, which can come across as intimidating. To enhance approachability and increase connection likelihood, I recommend a civilian attire headshot with a friendly smile! ??

Your LinkedIn profile picture is an important detail to pay attention to as it conveys your professionalism and approachability. Ensure you are smiling in your profile picture to assist in increasing the likelihood that someone views you as 'approachable' and this also helps to eliminate bias. For example, if you are not smiling, someone may assume that you are not approachable and therefore not reach out to you about a great opportunity.

A professional headshot can significantly enhance your job search by providing a polished and positive first impression. In the digital age, where online presence matters, a high-quality headshot adds a touch of professionalism to your profiles on LinkedIn, professional websites, or other job-related platforms. It allows employers to put a face to your name, making you more memorable and relatable. A well-done headshot also conveys a sense of confidence and attention to detail, which can positively influence hiring decisions.

A professional headshot directly projects the candidates' profile into the selectors' minds and acts as a clear indicator of their professionalism and personality. Once a person is clearly visible, it helps them to sell their experience faster and offers more consideration for their Resumes, CVs and CLs.

There is one big no-no when it comes to your headshot, it should NOT be on your resume. That invites a wave of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DE&I) issues. If a hiring manager wants to see your photo, they should be going to your LinkedIn profile.

A professional headshot is ideal for a social networking site or maybe even a business card. Avoid putting it on your resume, as headshots are best reserved for a bio. Displaying a professional headshot shows that you've invested time, effort, and capital into your job search and raises people's initial impression of you.

I recommend seeking the expertise of a professional resume writer or career coach in order to get an unbiased opinion of your LinkedIn headshot. I am very honest with my clients if I don't think the photo is a good representation of them. As a professional resume writer, I also offer constructive insights to help clients make adjustments, for example, the lighting of the headshot, and the color of their shirt.

It's key to update your professional headshot every 3-5 years, especially if you are job searching. The recruiter/hiring manager needs to see the same person on a video or in-person interview as they've seen on LinkedIn. Also, I recommend a high-resolution photo, 400X400 pixels.

Hola si estamos de acuerdo que el rostro determina tu vida ..El estado de la fotografía debería de ser secundario o de no representación en futuras contrataciones .Saludos.

For those who may not have a professional photographer in they’re circle, access to a professional camera, or on a budget, I would suggest – JCPenny Photo Studio always has a Groupon ($20-60) you could snag or maybe a local photographer in your area is running a special. Dress and present yourself like you are showing up to an interview and you’re good-to-go!

On Reddit, there's a community called r/PhotoshopRequest where talented individuals offer their photo editing skills to help others. You can submit a photo and request for it to be enhanced into a professional-looking headshot. This is a wonderful opportunity to have your picture refined by skilled editors who can adjust lighting, background, and even attire details to create a headshot that looks both professional and polished.

Thinking about your job search? Here’s a tip: don’t underestimate the power of a professional headshot. If you can, get your photo taken by a pro. They’ve got the gear and the know-how to make you look your best. When you're taking that photo, the frame matters. You want a little space above your head, your whole head and shoulders in the shot, and just a bit of your torso. It's all about striking that perfect, professional balance. This isn’t just a photo – it’s your first impression in the digital world, where your online presence often speaks before you do. A great headshot can really give you an edge.

Don't feel pressured to get a professional headshot - especially if you don't have the $$$ for it. My headshot was taken by my teenager in my backyard on her iPhone. You don't have to do anything fancy here - you can have a very professional-looking headshot for minimal cost.

The whole world has gone online and the first thing people do is look you up on either Google or Linkedin. So from a branding point of view, having a strong image of yourself sets you up for a god first impression. "This is someone I can work with" "Here's a confident person that can be part of our team" should be things your headshot say about you.