Having a great well lit professional done profile photo can go a long way towards helping you land that perfect job. Why? Well for one thing a great profile photo can help you stand out from the competition. You wouldn’t believe how many people use either selfies or have someone line them up against a white wall and use their iPhone for the photo. Then there are those that use ones better suited for Facebook personal page—like a vacation photo.

Did you know that your online profile (LinkedIn, other business sites) is 10 times more likely to be viewed with a profile photo than without? Now that said your profile photo has much to say about you. What does yours say about you? Too cheesy? Too serious? A great business portrait conveys approachability.

You are in business or trying to be so why not get a professional business headshot and use that for your profile photo. Maybe 85% of the headshot clients we see are people who plan to use the image on LinkedIn among other uses. From those transitioning out of the military trying to get a civilian job, to those out for the workforce for a while to those starting out from school.

Yes, there is a cost and it isn’t inexpensive but most of our clients say it’s well worth it. Go ahead and see what are clients are saying here.

You will want to look and dress professionally. I tell people to wear what others in your industry are wearing—if most aren’t wearing a suit and tie then maybe you shouldn’t either.  Here is how you can better prepare for your headshot.

So unless your best friend is truly handy with a camera (and understands great backgrounds and lighting) do yourself a favor and hire a professional photographer to take your head shot. You’ll be glad you did.