The Power of Personal Branding and Why You Need a Professional Headshot

With the recent release of the iPhone 11, promising even better camera features than its predecessor’s portrait mode, now is a good time to talk about social media. And more specifically, why you should invest in some “personal brand photography” that speaks to who you are as a person and a professional.

Yes, Your Future Boss is Googling You:

According to CareerBuilder, more than 70% of recruiters Google candidates or look at their social media profiles before making a decision to interview or hire. Whether you feel that’s a violation of your digital privacy or not, the numbers speak for themselves, and first impressions — even digital ones — are hard to shake. The first step to avoid an accidental “Facebook overshare” is to triple-check your social media accounts’ privacy settings and do a Google search of yourself, then remove any public-facing pictures or links associated with your name that you wouldn’t want a client or employer to see.

Next, put your LinkedIn profile front and center. Don’t hide your passion for CrossFit, that Etsy side-hustle you’re so proud of, or the family photos: just make sure they complement, rather than overpower, your professional digital presence. Great employers want to hire the whole person, so helping them get a balanced snapshot of who you are in and outside the office is key.

Make a Great Digital First Impression:

Creating a polished LinkedIn presence, digital portfolio, and listings on professional or industry-specific networking sites such as about.me or the American Marketing Association are an easy — and fun! — way to achieve this goal. Have a friend or coworker read your LinkedIn profile and share whether your description catches their attention and showcases your best talents. If you aren’t sure what type of language will make you stand out to recruiters, or need help refreshing your profile and resume, shoot me an email or reach out to the team at Constellation Staffing & Coaching for some extra love.

Now, you need a headshot that can follow you across LinkedIn and all those professional sites. I know it’s tempting to use a gussied up shot from your cousin’s wedding in your groomsman — eer, business — attire, or a perfectly posed vacation selfie showcasing the would-be content creator hiding inside us all. But don’t. We recommend working with a personal brand photographer like ours, Picture Perfect Blend Photography. A professional, similar to this Miami-based photography duo, can help you decide how formal or informal your headshot should be based on your industry and career goals, or recommend lifestyle photography if you want to up-level your public Facebook or Instagram profile shots. The experience can be fun and fit any budget. If you don’t believe me, just message our favorite local pros and they’ll share some insider information about what to expect.

Here’s why making this investment is important and a few tips to spot a good headshot from a … well … you’ll see.

Headshots 101:

Heidy Caminero, co-owner of Picture Perfect Blend, explained that she began thinking differently about professional headshots when she updated her own LinkedIn profile from a high-quality image she had taken on her phone to a professional studio shot and saw an increase of 15% clicks on her profile when it popped up in searches and received a flood of messages from recruiters (like me) hoping to capitalize on her skills.

“I didn’t think that many people would take notice of a headshot change, but I immediately saw a different type of engagement with my profile after the update,” Heidy shared. “By choosing an image with a different tone, I realized I could quickly communicate something about my values and aspirations that my original image did not convey.”

Now, I’m not saying that your picture will land you your dream gig. That’s up to your background, skills, and resume … but it might help you get a foot in the door by signaling that you’re keeping your information current, digitally savvy and aligned with today’s best practices, and actively engaging in your career.

Below, Heidy, my co-founder Peter Perez, and I use ourselves as willing victims — I mean examples — of a few common headshot pitfalls and explain how to avoid them.

1. Nail Your Tone and Personal Branding

Your headshot can say a lot about your values, the type of corporate culture you prefer to work in, or the style of work you do. As an example, if you work in a conservative industry like finance or commercial real estate, your headshot should reflect that. If you work in a more casual industry like graphics design or technology, your headshot should reflect that too. Heidy’s headshot refresh better captures her personal brand as a growing leader.

She says, “while both my headshots let employers know I’m a professional, the second photo quickly expresses that I’m comfortable in a more traditional corporate setting and seeking more senior opportunities. The use of subtle, visual cues, such as attire and body language, add an air of gravitas and confidence that sets me apart. As a young, female in the technology space, I want to channel a more powerful image so I don’t get overlooked by more stereotypical “tech” candidates. I love my original headshot because it communicates a lot of warmth, but the lack of blazer and sunny lighting downplay that I can mean business, too!”

Before taking a headshot, think about what you want to say about yourself and where you want to go in your career. Having that in mind before you start snapping pictures will influence your expression, wardrobe, and the final results.

2. Seriously, Don’t Repurpose Event Photos

As a recruiter, I’ve noticed men are more inclined to crop an image from a wedding or formal event and claim it’s their headshot because they feel pressured to be seen in a suit. These events are some of the few occasions they are encouraged (read: forced) to do so, while fining themselves in front of a camera. Chances are, these same men may or may not be wearing a suit to work everyday, so sacrificing basic headshot composition doesn’t always make sense.

It’s clear that the first image was taken at a restaurant because you can see tables peeking through the background. His body position also lets employers know he cropped someone (in this case, me!) out of the picture. While there’s nothing “wrong” with the image, it isn’t polished or intentional. He loses any perceived seniority the suit could have implied because it’s clear this isn’t a snapshot of a professional moment. Peter explains, “even though I’m not wearing a suit in the second image, it’s more professional than the first. My facial expression and stance are a more genuine signal of what type of professional I am rather than the cheesy wedding smile and a tie.”

If you’re an employer investing in a candidate’s salary and skills, we think it’s fair to expect a candidate to have made an investment showcasing those same skills. A headshot is as much a professional document as your resume, so don’t skimp.

3. Lighting, Filtering, and Quality … oh my!

Ladies, this one’s for you. Quit over-filtering your headshot! And yes, recruiters, employers, and clients really can tell the difference between professional lighting and quality versus a well-placed selfie. I love the Valencia filter as much as the next content junkie, but it simply isn’t professional — even if you’re in a creative industry.

You can showcase your personality and let loose in your headshot without over-filtering, editing, and tweaking if you choose a more casual background for the shot or dress down. And while you can post your headshot on your Instagram feed, it shouldn’t look like an everyday post. Your headshot should stand out from your day-to-day shots in a good way. Additionally, ensuring your headshot is taken in good light with a high-quality lens will reduce your desire to over-filter (or filter at all!) and leave you with a crisp polished shot, which will create a more genuine tone that would be expected of any professional, established brand. And your headshot is part of your personal brand.

Prepare for your headshot by getting your hair done, investing in a professional makeup session, and choosing your wardrobe — even for casual shoots — with care. That way, when you see the finished product, it can speak for itself. Minus the filters.

Follow these three, simple pieces of advice and your headshot will shine. Let us help you put your best foot forward by subscribing to our newsletter to get more great advice like this right in your inbox: www.constellationstaffing.com