How you present yourself online is critical, as it can be very beneficial or detrimental when it comes to your career. With the wide acceptance of social media and the growing number of job seekers on the market, public profiles (Facebook,Twitter, MySpace, LinkedIn) and resumes (iResume) are being viewed many times daily. Recruiters, hiring managers, and colleagues in your professional network are seeking you out online, with or without your knowledge.
We have all heard the horror stories about someone claiming they were sick and then posting pictures on Facebook of the party from the night before. Or the guy on Twitter who slammed a company that had just offered him a job - a job offer which was then rescinded. This brings us back to the topic of pictures...You should be aware that what is on the internet is not private, and first impressions can help or hurt you in this age of social media.
One area where few people spend a lot of time to thinking about is their profile photo. Many times this is a small photo, anywhere from 48×48 pixels to something slightly larger. It is hard to find a good photo of yourself that works well in this format. Plus, many people don't like photos of themselves... This is understandable. We often prefer to be behind the lens than in front of it, but it is important to have a good photo of yourself to create a good first social media impression.
Many times, the wrong kind of photos are being chosen. Don't choose your mug shot (or something that resembles one) or a full body shot that provides no facial recognition or professional appearance. These photos don't work in small formats and make your online profile look sloppy.
You do not necessarily have to use a standard "corporate" style headshot...often, something more unique is preferred...But the main thing to remember is to present yourself in a professional and interesting manner at the same time. Remember that the first thing most people are going to see in the job search process is your profile photo. Do you want your potential boss having a first impression of you holding a beer? How about being hugged by two girls in bathing suits? OK guys, this sounds great! But don't miss the point...potential employers might not get the right idea.
Articles are coming out daily sharing that more and more employers are searching the internet (using Google or Bing to search your name, searching Facebook, LinkedIn, etc) as a part of their vetting process for new hires. When they do find you on a social media site, what will be their first impression?
On many social media sites, you may choose to display a family photo, which can be very tasteful. On more professional sites such asiResume and LinkedIn, a head and shoulders shot is much more appropriate. It can be off center or black and white (as long as it is not too dark) to add variety but still provide a professional appearance.
So, should you hire someone to take a professional photo? Not a bad idea! You can find someone locally that can shoot your photos from $50 to $150 dollars. We suggest taking several setups such as wearing a suit to something slightly more casual like a white shirt and jeans.
But, if you are looking to save money and have a friend that can help, you can have them can take photos for you. But know that self-portraits (sometimes abbreviated as "sp") don't always turn out as nice. People tend to create weird angles or perspective or develop a double chin. At a minimum, have someone else take it, even if it's a spouse or girlfriend or friend - just have someone else take it. So when I say "hire" it doesn't mean necessarily paying someone, if you can find it free, go for it.
Revisit your social media profile photos and ask yourself "is this the right photo?" If not, make the effort to get one taken. Remember, people beyond your friends and family may view it, and in this competitive market, you want to standout in a positive way.
Happy picture taking and happy job searching!
-Allison
This entry was co-authored by Frank Lazaro, an experienced marketing executive, BS from Kean University, MBA from Coles School of Business, and founding board member of Atlanta photography and arts-based not-for-profit, Atlanta Photography Exhibit.
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