Career Services

You may think, “Well, I already have a nice photo of myself from when I graduated high school or college, so why do I need a headshot?” The truth is that headshots are more than just a nice photo for LinkedIn. They are actually a powerful tool in shaping how you are perceived by your future employer, peers, and professional contacts.

First Impressions are lasting impressions. Studies show that people form an impression within the first seven seconds of meeting. In today’s digital world, that first impression often happens online, long before you ever meet someone in person or are aware that someone is looking at your profile. A professional headshot can immediately communicate that you take yourself and your career seriously, and that you are prepared to enter the workforce.

Headshots are a part of your branding along with your resume, cover letter, and references. It gives an idea of who you are without saying a word. Employers and recruiters often look at every piece of information they can find about the candidates they are considering for their company, including LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, etc. A polished headshot helps create a positive, professional image that can stand out.

Professional Headshots are also a valuable networking tool. For example, if you give your LinkedIn information to a recruiter at a Career Fair, then that recruiter can put a face to a name when connecting later, which can help you stand out from the crowd.

Even if you are early in your career, a high-quality headshot communicates that you are to be taken seriously. Whether it’s for LinkedIn, your portfolio, networking, or even blog posts, your headshot helps you stand out and make a lasting impression. Don’t underestimate the power of a single image; it could be the first step toward your future career. Career Services offers this service once a semester and is a great resource to take advantage of.