Tips for Professional Headshots in Social Media profiles

Businessman working in his office. Photo courtesy of Shutterstock.

Having the right photo for people to immediately connect to online not only puts a face to your profile but also adds credibility to content of your profile itself.

When job hunting, it’s important to get your image across to every potential employer possible. Whilst a headshot on a written résumé isn’t necessary or advised, it’s vital that you include a professional snapshot of you on every online, social media platform you will be using. Social media and the online content associated with your name are important. If the viewer can associate an image with the content it will have a longer lasting effect and will also add credibility to what they read.

Younger applicants and newbies to the industry may not know about the importance of a good headshot (cue cute dog pictures or hilarious comedy shots) and some may not have even got round to adding one at all. This gives the impression that the candidate isn’t that active or involved in the online community and may not even visit the actual site all that often.

The type of photo you choose to showcase your personality also speaks volumes. Having a badly cropped photo of you from your sisters wedding where you got caught in a particularly good light won’t win you any interviews. Whilst a simple snap at Olan-Mills or even getting your mother to take a good shot are the cheapest options, a professional photo shines out and will put you on par with all the other prospective candidates who have gone this extra effort too. There are plenty of cost-effect photographers that specialise in taking headshots for those looking for jobs so don’t be put off by the idea that it could be too expensive.

Outdoor headshots aren’t impressing anyone either. The lighting (not to mention the wind) are harder to control and manipulate and could jeopardise the shoot. Taking the photo in a familiar setting will not only give a little more information about yourself but it will also be a more relaxed setting, something that will come across well in the photo. The final product should be tightly cropped (heads and shoulders only with minimal background distractions) and simple, focusing on the main object, you.

It’s also important to have a photo that reflects the job you’re looking to get. Each industry will have a different set of requirements or attributes they will look at when considering applicants so do some research on what kind of image they will expect.

Once you have a photo, the next step is to get it out there.Twitter, Quora, Flicker, personal blogs, Skype. If you have it put it on there. If you don’t have it, get it and put it on there. There is no such thing as too much social networking and there are many sites around now which create and link an image with your online content making it easier to move from one site to another. Gravatar is a good, free, option that allows users to upload an image that will then follow you around online showing up wherever you post content or add a comment on a Gravatar-enabled site.

Different types of headshots for different profiles is also a good idea. Not only does it give a better view of your personality but it also makes any Google image searches carried out on you a bit more interesting.

An applicant should never be judged on their photo or personal appearance alone of course, but when job-seeking, you’re effectively selling an online personal brand. Photos add a personal touch and give your virtual identity substance, allowing people to connect with people rather than words on a screen.

Author Bio: David Bell is a freelance writer and blogs about just about anything, including: Telecoms, Online Marketing, Social Media, PR Recruitment and Small Business Solutions. Follow him on Twitter @DavidBellWriter