Are you using social media to put your best face forward during a job search? Today, we’re putting taking a look at the topic of how to manage and project a professional image. Tech professionals are expected to be savvy about best practices online, and that includes knowing when and how to use well-designed personal sites, focused messaging, a professional headshot, graphics, and photos.
Your online image is so important, that today we’re covering best practices for job seekers to polish their online graphics and photos. Still think this is a superficial subject? We all know how quickly first-impressions are made in person. Now consider that even if you only have a Linkedin page, your headshot will likely be one of the first things visitors to your site will notice.
You wouldn’t show up to work, or an interview, in anything less than your professional best, right? The following tips will help you keep your online images equally professional and polished.
Start at the top with a professional headshot. We think it’s best if you can get a professional photo done, but these days a well-composed “selfie” photo will also work. Or, you can ask a friend to spend a little time helping you to take a good photo.
Your headshot will always look more professional if you dress the part. Wear your best interview clothing if you aren’t sure how to dress. As a general rule, avoid distracting choices that will take the emphasis off your face and expression.
That said, the best professional head shots are natural looking. Try to have a relaxed, sincere, friendly demeanor. Don’t try to crop casual photos, though. Unless you have professional photography skills, this will come off as hurried and sloppy. Also avoid photos with a low resolution size. You don’t want a grainy thumbnail picture popping up every time someone searches for your sites.
It will help you choose your photos if you keep in mind your audience. Determine which photos to use based on the social sites. For example, if you’re on Twitter now is a good time to review your profile photos because the site just “oversized” all of the graphics to make images more prominent. (You can read a great article about how to use the new Twitter image platform to your professional advantage in TechRepublic.com.)
Also watch out for “zombie content.” It’s a term used to describe those old photos you (or your friends) posted back in the day – from a party, an awkward family photo, or just an ordinary unflattering photo that wasn’t particularly professional – that are still out there somewhere, won’t die and will probably resurface at the worst time. Minimize the chances of this happening to you by thinking twice before your post a photo, and proactively deleting unflattering tags.
Finally, don’t forget that your social profiles will be connected. It’s important to realize that there is always the possibility that your photos won’t stay localized. You may think your Facebook is personal and Linkedin professional, but people will likely look you up across platforms. The best way to handle this is to manage your privacy settings, keep all public profile and cover photos professional, and have discussions with your friends, family and professional network offline to discuss your goals for photos.
While you’re at it, we invite you to get connected with us. You can find Market Street Talent online, and through our social media channels. Visit our jobs page to get started and send us your resume!