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As a consultant in the Graduate Career Services office at the University of Notre Dame, I\u2019m often asked about what an individual can do to stay competitive in today\u2019s job market.\u00a0 My answer is quite simple:\u00a0 Give yourself an edge.<\/p>\n
One way to do that is by creating a professional brand\u2014and that includes your visual image.\u00a0 A headshot says something about you\u2014whether or not it was taken by a professional photographer.\u00a0 Your brand is continually reinforced by what people see, hear and read.\u00a0 In today\u2019s world of social media, you can\u2019t afford NOT to use every advantage available.\u00a0 A professional photographer understands the nuances of lighting, posing and editing giving you an immediate competitive edge\u2014and one that has a proven return on investment.\u00a0 Here\u2019s why:<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
- \n
- People want to put a face with a name. Your headshot should encourage people to want to reach out to you.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
![\"Headshot](\"http:\/\/sites.nd.edu\/irish-ready\/files\/2016\/09\/Headshot-male-B-200x300.jpg\")
<\/p>\n- \n
- When an employer looks at your profile, he\/she is not only looking at education and experience, but they are also looking at who you are and how you portray yourself. They want\u00a0to make sure that you are serious about professional quality and digital communications\u00a0 And if you don\u2019t care about our own professional image, then why should a potential employer think that you will use any higher standards for their organizational image?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
![\"Headshot](\"http:\/\/sites.nd.edu\/irish-ready\/files\/2016\/09\/Headshot-female-A-200x300.jpg\")
<\/p>\n- \n
- Students need to be perceived as COLLEAGUES and specialists–and not as STUDENTS–as they enter the professional world; a professional headshot accomplishes the goal. How do you want to be seen? Do you want employers to see you as a real professional with high standards, or are you satisfied with showing them your \u2018selfie mug-shot\u2019?!<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
![\"Headshot](\"http:\/\/sites.nd.edu\/irish-ready\/files\/2016\/09\/Headshot-male-C-200x300.jpg\")
<\/p>\n- \n
- A good headshot will promote greater trust, interest and authenticity in your brand. When you consider that a LinkedIn profile with a professional headshot is 7x more likely to be viewed than those without, you begin to understand the importance of that first impression.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
![\"Headshot](\"http:\/\/sites.nd.edu\/irish-ready\/files\/2016\/09\/Headshot-female-D-200x300.jpg\")
<\/p>\n- \n
- A professional photo is one of the most powerful aspects of your personal brand. It\u2019s a visual representation of your readiness to add immediate value to an organization.\u00a0 While some undergraduate students may be able to \u201cget by\u201d with a cell phone selfie, it is social media suicide for a serious professional.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
![\"Headshot](\"http:\/\/sites.nd.edu\/irish-ready\/files\/2016\/09\/Headshot-male-A-200x300.jpg\")
<\/p>\n- \n
- A professional photographer has a trained artistic eye for posing their subjects in order to achieve the best image\u2014you don\u2019t. Knowing what lighting looks best for a certain skin tone or face shape makes all the difference in the final product.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
![\"Headshot](\"http:\/\/sites.nd.edu\/irish-ready\/files\/2016\/09\/Headshot-female-C-200x300.jpg\")
<\/p>\n- \n
- Our general advice, when it comes to LinkedIn and other social media platforms, is to get a headshot taken by a professional photographer. It conveys a level of confidence and sends the message that you\u2019ve INVESTED in yourself because you know you\u2019re worth it.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
![\"Headshot](\"http:\/\/sites.nd.edu\/irish-ready\/files\/2016\/09\/Headshot-male-D-200x300.jpg\")
<\/p>\n- \n
- Employers want know the face behind the name. They want to hire people they trust; you need to make sure that you look like someone they want to interview, work and represent them in the world at large.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
![\"Headshot](\"http:\/\/sites.nd.edu\/irish-ready\/files\/2016\/09\/Headshot-female-B-200x300.jpg\")
<\/p>\nBottom line?\u00a0 Don\u2019t underestimate the importance of a professional headshot.\u00a0 You want a picture to match your brand, keep your image consistent, engaging, but more importantly professional.\u00a0 Hiring a professional photographer will ensure that your headshot enhances rather than devalues your brand.<\/p>\n
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Want to know more about how a headshot can enhance your professional reputation? Check out this article<\/a>.<\/p>\n
Leave us a comment about how you plan to use your headshot.\u00a0We hope to see you on the 28th!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Graduate Career Services and the Graduate School are once again offering FREE professional headshots on Tuesday, March 28th, 9am-1pm, at the north entrance of Jordan Hall of Science. No appointment required, and we encourage you to dress for success in professional attire. To kick off this opportunity, check out this\u00a0guest blog post by GCS Career … <\/p>\n
- Employers want know the face behind the name. They want to hire people they trust; you need to make sure that you look like someone they want to interview, work and represent them in the world at large.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
- Our general advice, when it comes to LinkedIn and other social media platforms, is to get a headshot taken by a professional photographer. It conveys a level of confidence and sends the message that you\u2019ve INVESTED in yourself because you know you\u2019re worth it.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
- A professional photographer has a trained artistic eye for posing their subjects in order to achieve the best image\u2014you don\u2019t. Knowing what lighting looks best for a certain skin tone or face shape makes all the difference in the final product.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
- A professional photo is one of the most powerful aspects of your personal brand. It\u2019s a visual representation of your readiness to add immediate value to an organization.\u00a0 While some undergraduate students may be able to \u201cget by\u201d with a cell phone selfie, it is social media suicide for a serious professional.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
- A good headshot will promote greater trust, interest and authenticity in your brand. When you consider that a LinkedIn profile with a professional headshot is 7x more likely to be viewed than those without, you begin to understand the importance of that first impression.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
- Students need to be perceived as COLLEAGUES and specialists–and not as STUDENTS–as they enter the professional world; a professional headshot accomplishes the goal. How do you want to be seen? Do you want employers to see you as a real professional with high standards, or are you satisfied with showing them your \u2018selfie mug-shot\u2019?!<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
- When an employer looks at your profile, he\/she is not only looking at education and experience, but they are also looking at who you are and how you portray yourself. They want\u00a0to make sure that you are serious about professional quality and digital communications\u00a0 And if you don\u2019t care about our own professional image, then why should a potential employer think that you will use any higher standards for their organizational image?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n