Your Profile Picture is Bringing Down Your Job Search

Your Profile Picture is Bringing Down Your Job SearchYour Profile Picture is Bringing Down Your Job SearchYour head shot should add value to your profile. Fix these common mistakes to get it on the right track.To help, Ive created a list of nine profile picture pitfalls to avoid.Profile Picture Pitfalls from Ladders Blurry or Too Small Ideally your photo should be 200 x 200 pixels or larger. Anything smaller and youre guaranteed to end up with a fuzzy or teeny tiny renommee that just screams unprofessional. I recommend choosing a square head shot, as its sure to work with all your professional social media accounts. Too Close or Too Far Away Stick with a standard head shot for your profile pic. Prospective employers and those in your professional network have no desire to examine your dental work, and a shot from far away wont help them identify you at an event or interview. The Group Shot Remember, this picture is supposed to represent your professional brand no one elses. Dont ma ke recruiters guess which person you are in the photo. Use an image that shows you and only you. The Crop Cropping yourself out of the group shot doesnt work either. While it may be your favorite picture, no one wants to see half of your loved ones face or your best friends hair on your shoulder. Stick to a solo shot that doesnt require Photoshop. Bad Lighting Not only do these pictures look creepy, but they are certainly not providing employers with a positive, professional first impression. Too Serious Opt for photos where youre looking at the camera and smiling. You dont necessarily need a cheesy grin on your face, but you want to appear friendly and approachable. The glamour shots arent doing you any favors. Goofy Expressions Remember, this image is supposed to represent your professional brand. When you look at your profile photo, does it send the same message as your resume? Pet or Baby Pic Yes, your puppy is adorable and your family is beautiful. However, thats not what your professional network or a prospective employer needs to know about you. Save these cute pics for your personal social-media channels such as Facebook or Instagram. Stick to a photo of yourself for your professional profiles. No Photo As I mentioned earlier, recruiters today expect to find a head shot with your professional profile. In her article on profile photos, job search strategist Meg Guiseppi says the first thing recruiters and hiring managers notice is your photoor lack of one.If you have no photo, their initial thought will likely be, What is this person trying to hide?, says Guiseppi.If youre concerned that including your photo could cause people to discriminate against you, I urge you to carefully weigh the benefits and drawbacks of the profile photo before making a final decision. The right image can reinforce your brand and help viewers connect more easily with your profile. Best Practices Use a recent head shot that meets the file type and size and pixel size recommend ed by each site. Consider your outfit, the background of the shot, and the lighting to ensure it reflects your current professional brand and career goals.Having no photo is better than uploading one that doesnt project the right image, so put some thought into the picture you choose to represent your professional brand.