If you’re a college student, graduate student, or law student, chances are that you have quite a few things on your mind while navigating the academic experience. For most of you, it is probably safe to say that professional photography is not near the top of the list. However, a professional headshot is something that every post-secondary student should get before they graduate. Let’s take a look at the reasons why professional headshots are so important for college students.
1. Social Media is Front & Center in the Job Search
The landscape for job searching has greatly shifted even in the past few years. Currently, LinkedIn serves as a vital resource. With nearly 740 million members and over 55 million companies, it is truly the place where the world comes together to discuss business and employment.
LinkedIn is particularly critical for leveraging leads and for job searching. In fact, the site typically hosts over ten million open jobs with 87% of recruiters regularly using LinkedIn in order to identify potential candidates. Thus, it is absolutely pivotal to have a strong presence on the platform.
For LinkedIn, your profile picture is one of the first things people notice. However, many people simply use selfies or other photos. These have unintentional consequences of not allowing you to put your best image forward. While selfies are not inherently bad, a professional photographer has knowledge of lighting, angles, and other things that make for a far more effective photo.
2. Images Communicate a Lot
You’ve undoubtedly heard the cliché that a picture is worth a thousand words. It is certainly rooted in the truth. Photos help to communicate things that cannot otherwise be easily conveyed. In fact, your image can either help you or hurt you, but often will not have a neutral effect.
Images can increase someone’s perception of the value you bring, your level of knowledge, your maturity, and your professionalism. However, a substandard image can also hurt someone’s impression of these things, including perspective employers. You definitely don’t want to miss out on a job because you chose the wrong photo.
Fortunately, professional headshots paint you in the best possible light. There are inherent messages that are communicated from having a professional headshot that make it more likely for people to get a positive message from your image.
3. Create a Personal Brand
These days, people are incredibly brand conscious. In fact, brands are no longer simply the domain of companies. Many people seek to create a personal brand for themselves. Perhaps this is due to a desire to influence others or gain a following on social media. Maybe it is due to a desire to be noticed. Perhaps you simply want to create a reputation within your profession.
Whatever the reason, a professional headshot can help you create a brand. First, a photographer can work with you to capture the specific image, characteristics, and emotions that you want to convey. A future personal injury attorney may wish for a headshot that helps make them look sympathetic yet strong while a future accountant may want an image that create a brand message of being organized.
Professional photographers have a lot of experience working with people to create the optimal message for their personal brand. Plus, once you have a professional headshot, you can use it on your social media accounts, video conferencing software, and other places of high visibility to ensure a consistent branding.
4. Improve Your Confidence
Soon to be graduates entering their professional field full time often struggle with imposter syndrome. This is well documented and something that many people struggle with overcoming. Entering into a new profession is certainly a process that requires many steps as part of the transition. This can cause anxiety and negative impacts on self-confidence many times.
There are lot of helpful ways to address imposter syndrome and help improve self-confidence. However, having a professional headshot is one small thing that can help you begin to grow your confidence. Representing yourself with a photo that you love where you look professional and distinguished can help reinforce a positive feeling about your future.
You’ve heard of the saying, dress for the job you want? A similar concept applies to having a professional headshot. By representing yourself like the future professional you hope to be, you will subconsciously begin to think of yourself in that manner. This creates an instant confidence boost that can help you navigate a period that is difficult for some people.
5. They Are Often Surprisingly Affordable
When you think of professional photography, you are likely to overestimate the cost. The reality is that having a portrait photo taken is not something prohibitively expensive. In fact, getting a professional headshot is one of the simplest photoshoots, meaning it is one of the more affordable services offered by professional photographers.
Additionally, the value you get from having a professional headshot is great. A headshot will typically last you several years, giving you a consistent professional image during that time. As we’ve noted, this image boost can improve your confidence and help you stand out to potential employers.
The reality is that professional headshots are often much less than most people would expect. Plus, when you consider the great value they bring, it makes logical sense to get one done. You’ll instantly stand out from your peers that use selfies or non-professional photos, giving you added value for your purchase.
Final Thoughts
The very visual nature of an increasingly virtual society means that professional headshots are no longer just for board members and people in the executive suite. Now, many people in the job market utilize professional portraits in order to put their best self forward. Whether you are finishing undergrad, working through your dissertation, or honing your skills in law school, a professional headshot is integral for any college student seeking to enter the job market soon. It will ensure you communicate the desired message and help lead to future success.