Headhunters and human resources professionals ask two critical questions prior to any kind of interview: Do you have the skills for the job, and are you suitable for the company?
I see more social media headshots than most, and five out of every ten make me want to laugh, cry, or lose my lunch. I see headshots that are too close (you want to minimize wrinkles or acne), too far (I need to see your face), too sexy, grinning like a congenital imbecile or scowling like a mass-murderer. Primarily though, I see headshots that simply are not suitable for the work they need to do.
In recent studies, up to 90% of human resources people say they check out social media profiles, especially LinkedIn and Facebook, before inviting a candidate in for an interview. This means the wrong headshot can kill your chances of even talking on the phone stone-dead. Is your headshot killing your opportunities for job offers before you even get the opportunity to interview?
Every Picture Tells a Story
Like it or not, your headshot tells a story, so take a look at yours to see if it is telling the story you want it to tell. This has become a critically important part of establishing a credible professional image. As humans we are a very visual species, and in this new digital age, your headshot is invariably the first visual impression you make on headhunters and potential employers.
A profile with a headshot will get many more clicks than a profile without one, and how professional and accessible you appear will impact the impressions of the recruiters who decide your interview fate.
It’s safe to say that the people who come to your profile will form an opinion of you based on your headshot before they read anything you have written.
Your next job interview could well be decided on how well your headshot to portrays the professional you.
Are You Trying to Get Hired or Dated?
We all nurture different personas at work and at play. With a social media profile, this is done with your clothes and facial expression, and communicated through your headshot.
You have to be able to separate these work/play personas and recognize that a killer headshot for your dating profile could be the kiss of death for your LinkedIn profile. Being seen as both professional (which implies competent) and friendly will encourage acceptance of the claims made within your profile, whereas a too casual or too sexy shot will call your judgment into question.
Can You Get Away with a DIY Headshot?
I look frightening in most photographs. It’s not that I look exactly like a creature from the crypt, it’s just that I’m naturally shy and a casual snapshot will usually catch me looking terrified.
We all look better relaxed and smiling, and the beauty of digital cameras is that the shooter can keep shooting until you’re relaxed. A professional can get you the results you want. Anyone can snap a quick photo on a phone, but you need a professional headshot photographer for a high-quality image. A pro knows their craft, everything from composition to lighting to editing your images. They’ll ensure you get the photos you want.
The New Year Is The Perfect Time to Upgrade Your Headshot
Before you dismiss all the “new year, new you” social media posts that start inundating your feed, keep in mind that January & February are two of the best months to find new opportunities. With the new year upon us, now is the perfect time to schedule an updated professional headshot that presents you in the best possible light for 2024!
Your Headshot & Headline
In initial database searches, the first things recruiters see are your headshot and headline. They get a headshot and a 120-character thumbnail description about you. Your headline works as brief biography of the person behind the headshot.
You have just these 120 characters to say who you are, so your headline should include the Target Job Title from your primary resume and the keywords that most succinctly capture what you do. You will then have about ten words with which to describe your key skills.