Stand Out With These 5 LinkedIn Headshot Tips
Having an online social presence has never been as crucial as it is now, and LinkedIn, with 30% engagement from employees, has not been a stranger to this trend.
With so many great candidates to dig through, it doesn’t come as a surprise that it only takes a few seconds for recruiters to decide who gets that initial call. Your LinkedIn headshot and the top few lines of your summary section are what seals the deal. So if you’re looking to give yourself a leg up on landing that new position you’ve had your eye on, take the time to go through the following tips to get the perfect LinkedIn headshot.
No selfies! This isn’t Instagram.
Leave the selfies for your Instagram feed; studies have shown that having professional headshots for LinkedIn can make you appear as much as 76% more competent. Some say a selfie makes you look more approachable with a friendly atmosphere about you, but this is not a view shared by hiring managers and won’t land you an interview. Having studio headshots taken by a professional photographer reflects well on your work ethic. A great headshot shows that you take being professional seriously, and it speaks to the fact that you have enough self-confidence and foresight to invest in yourself. Studies have even shown that sporting a great headshot makes you seem much more likable!
Dress for the job you want.
The age-old adage of dressing for the job you want and not the one you have holds just as true in this modern online age. Give your appearance some thought and plan out your outfit before you commit to a headshot photography session for your LinkedIn profile photo. You can never go wrong with a suit, but it is just as important that it fits you correctly. It may be worth spending just a little extra to get an outfit that fits you well. Don’t forget the accessories for your headshot session. Feel free to accessorize your outfit in order to capture headshots that stand out and highlight your personality. After all, a good suit is an investment that won’t just land you an interview but see you through the entire process till you’re in your dream office!
A genuine smile goes a long way!
It is no secret that smiling makes a person more attractive. This might just be the best tip on our list. Want to know why? It’s free! So practice putting on a natural smile with direct eye contact in the mirror before heading to your appointment, and it could very well land you a job! After all, you only get one chance to make a first impression! Don’t fret if you’re not a smiler. Stick to facial expressions that resonate with you to get those great LinkedIn headshots. It’s important to broadcast your personal brand image to the world.
Choose the right background.
Lose the vacation/hobby backgrounds and hone in on a professionally well-lit location. Hiring managers on LinkedIn make split-second decisions from your profile picture, and you’re not doing yourself any favors with a distracting background. Show them what is really important- you, being confident and approachable. Don’t worry if you don’t have a specific background in mind for your professional profile. If you’re opting for an outdoor professional photo shoot, our headshot photographers have a list of pre-qualified backgrounds that are excellent for your LinkedIn photo. If you’re coming in for studio headshots, you have an option to pick from gray, dark gray, black, and white backdrops, which are all excellent choices for your professional profile.
Keep it relevant.
Invest in keeping your professional headshots for LinkedIn up to date. Showing up for a meeting looking drastically different from your profile photo doesn’t work in your dating life, and it won’t work at an interview either. It doesn’t send the right message to recruiters if you don’t put effort into yourself.