Did you know that 55 percent of American workers are considering leaving their current employer? Many are referring to this workforce exodus as “the Great Resignation” and it’s largely driven by mid-career professionals.
If you’re looking to switch up your job, chances are you will have some stiff competition! My quick tip for making yourself stand out: professional portraits! Read on for how to use corporate headshots to get noticed by recruiters.
When in doubt, hire it out
For platforms such as LinkedIn, your name and profile picture is the first thing recruiters will notice. Think of the pic you choose here as your brand: your quick chance to make an impression. Since this picture is so important, I highly recommend working with a corporate branding photographer you trust – they will bring the expertise to capture you at your best. It’s important to make sure that your photo represents YOU in all your gorgeousness!
Put your best face forward!
After your photoshoot, you’ll have so many banging pics to choose from, it can be hard to narrow it down to just one! My first rule of thumb: choose a photo where your face is most of the frame! You’ll also want to make sure you’re well-lit and the background is free of anything that may distract from those cute cheeks! Maybe we took a few of your corporate branding photos at the beach, but that background might be a little too carefree for a recruiter. I recommend sticking with something a little more generic. Keep it simple! A park, a wall or a studio can offer some great backdrops for this occasion!
Put a smile on…or don’t!
Again, this photo is your chance to show a recruiter what you’re all about and the best way to communicate that is your facial expression! This may sound cheesy, but stick with me…one exercise is to think of adjectives you want to convey to your audiences and think of those words when you’re shooting. Words like “powerful” and “confident” work great for this! Your expression should represent you and the assets you’ll bring to a company, client or project. If your demeanor is generally playful, show that in your expression or posing with an open-mouth smile, tossing your head back or exaggerating a pleasant expression. For a more serious portrait, I cue my clients to look directly at the camera and a soft smile. Above all, you want to look natural and comfortable, so choose an expression that you’re likely to project in your day-to-day.
All about style
Attire is super important in business photography! For corporate headshots, I generally advise clients to wear something you’d normally wear to work. Since this photo only shows from your shoulders up, a neutral, solid-colored top will really help your features pop. That doesn’t mean to choose the most boring thing in your closet – your style is an extension of your personality and that’s what you want the recruiter to see! Use details to represent you here. If you like to be trendy, consider wearing a statement piece like a puff sleeve. Whether minimalist or maximalist, necklaces and earrings can be a great way to extend your personal style and accentuate your features. For makeup, let’s go understated and play it up by adding something bold.
Are you considering a job change? Let’s talk about it on Instagram: @kristinamaness