5 Reasons to Invest Some Time and Energy into Creating an Image for Your C.V. and Presence on the Web   

I was at a documentary shoot some years ago in Denver. We were filming an interview with a well-published, knowledgeable individual. She had over fifteen years of experience and research in her field, but what she did not have was a professional photo, so that her bio would be accompanied by an image on the documentary’s website. Instead, we asked our onsite photographer to take a quick headshot.

At first, I didn’t think much of the lack of a professional photo. After all, like most millennials, I grew up taking photos with my phone or digitally, and then cropping them to deliver the perfect Facebook or Twitter profile pic. Professional photos? Those were for super-senior (C-suite) executives or famous authors with published manuscripts and book jackets — not for aspiring career climbers or new-to-the-workplace employees like me.

Fast-forward just a few years, however, and so much has changed. With the explosion of social media, and potential employers and clients scouring the Internet for photos and information about potential candidates, a professional photo is more critical than ever. Here’s why:

You’ll Make the Right First Impression. We all know that first impressions count when it comes to job opportunities, and with the high likelihood that the hiring manager or recruiter has peeked at your LinkedIn profile, you’ll want to make sure you’re giving the best first impression you can. A professional headshot or business photograph will present you in the best light, as someone who takes themselves, and the work they do, seriously.

You’ll Set Yourself Apart from the Crowd. With the majority of photographs on social media profiles (even on professional sites) being personal in nature, a professional photograph will stand out and set you apart. A clean, professional, non-distracting photo will also make you more memorable, and easily identifiable.

You’ll Seem More Important. Most people with professional photos on their professional (and personal) social media profiles are folks whose organizations likely recommended or paid for their professional photographs. True or not, potential employers and business partners will view you as more important, and potentially, as having more authority, than if your photo is a cropped shot from your last date night.

You’ll Appear More Professional. Laura Hunter, professional photographer, states in this Forbes article, “If you don’t have a professional photo, people will often come to the conclusion that you don’t take your career seriously, and you may not be very professional yourself.” Perception is reality, and why take the risk that a future business contact could see you in that light?

You’ll  Feel More Confident. With social media, it’s impossible to stay faceless before an interview. A professional photo will make you feel more confident every time you apply to a job or network with a new contact. You’ll know that you’ve put yourself out there in the best light.

Even if you’re on a tight budget, professional photos may be within your reach. Ask your friends; one of them may be a professional or hobbyist photographer willing to take your picture for free. The point is, don’t feel limited to professional corporate photographers. I’ve found many great, and reasonable (under $50), professional photo packages at local walk-in photography studios.

Is it possible to bring in personal interests into your photo? Sure, but it depends on two things: what you’re trying to showcase, and the skill of your photographer. Some tips for this:

• Don’t feel limited to studio portraits – outdoor portraits or something taken in your home office can be great, but just make sure that it doesn’t look like a snapshot you took with your smartphone.
• Props can work, like a favorite pen, or calculator, but not if they are distracting and take attention away from you and your energy.
• You may want to take a series of different poses, including a full body shot, and a few close up headshots in different angles, colors or backgrounds. This will give you versatility to use the pictures in different ways. You never know when you’ll finally publish that book you’ve been pecking away at for the past two years, or when you’re asked to speak on a high profile panel.

Lastly, when it’s picture day, dress simply and conservatively in solid colors. Anything too clingy or fashion-forward could either give the wrong message or quickly look outdated. And by all means, pick your clothes according to your industry; if you work in finance, light make-up and a suit may be appropriate. But if you work in marketing or sales, a well-groomed blouse, slacks, or even stylish jeans and jewelry may be a better fit.

And one final tip: always remember to smile! A study out of New York University shows that happier people are perceived as more trustworthy – likely the number one quality, of course, that you want to convey in your business photo.