Why A Professional Headshot Will Lead You To New Opportunities
In an era where the world is driven by visual elements, many of us forget how important it is to have a good photo for our digital profiles. According to LinkedIn, an account with a photo is 14 times more likely to be viewed than one without. That gives you literally 14 more chances to get hired! Definitely, that is something you don’t want to pass on.
You should consider your profile photo as your own personal brand. In a way, it could be considered like a digital handshake, that gives the employer a first look of who you are; and we all know how important are first impressions.
We talked to Neville Bendiolla - Division Director of Office Team at Robert Half on the impact that LinkedIn, social media, and branding have had on recruiting candidates for his clients. Here is what he had to say.
Transcript
Chris: How long have you been a recruiter for Robert Half?
Neville: I have been with Robert Half for 13 years.
Chris: Has the search for candidates changed at all since you first started?
Neville: Absolutely. We are in an exciting time where technology continues to evolve. We now have access to network and recruit candidates on platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, and Linkedin.com. We are able to connect with a larger amount of candidates through different professional events that are marketed through Social Media.
Chris: Do recruiters use LinkedIn and social media when deciding on whether they want to interview a potential candidate?
Neville: I believe LinkedIn and Social Media are great tools to gain more insight on the candidate’s interests and professional profile. Our clients have access to the information as well, so it is best practice to acknowledge the candidate’s social profile.
Chris: Why is having a good profile photo important? What do you look for in a candidate's profile photo?
Neville: People enjoy working with professionals that he/she can relate to. Corporate culture is very important for hiring managers and the candidate. The client is searching for someone who would represent their brand and product while a candidate is also searching for the right match that meets his/her values.
Chris: Do you see a candidate's profile photo as their personal brand?
Neville: Part of the brand, but in-person or phone meetings are more important to ask questions and really engage in conversation.
Now, before you go, here are our tips on profile photos.
Current photos are best. Make sure the photo has been taken within the past two years.
Crop the photo so your face fills at least 50% of the frame [Think shoulders and up].
Look approachable. Give recruiters a reason to want to talk to you.
Wear solid colors, patterns sometimes can be too distracting.
Keep the background simple. The attention should be all on you.