A few words about professional image...
They say a picture is worth a thousand words, so why then do so many professionals insist on using pictures of themselves that paint an unprofessional picture?
In this day and age, where so many people consider themselves to be professional photographers, simply because they own a digital SLR camera, it is quite surprising to see the calibre of images people insist on using for their professional portfolio.
Firstly, there are those who are using blurry, candid, or mobile phone images. What kind of message is this sending to your prospective clients, or employers, that you will not invest in your professional image? A tight crop of your face from a photograph taken at a bucks party is not going to show you at your professional best. Ask a favour of a mate with a decent camera - shout them a bottle of wine or offer to help them move- if they take half a dozen casual, but decent photos of you.
Secondly, there are the outdated images. Just because you loved the way your hair fell in 1976, does not mean that you should try to hang onto your glory days by using that picture to promote yourself, or your business. Clients and prospective employers would much rather a recent photograph of you. I know from my own experiences, how off putting it can be to meet with someone who looks absolutely nothing like the image they have provided of themselves. This can also plant a seed of doubt, where others will be looking for other disparities or inconsistencies in your qualifications or service record. You would not continue to use the same resume you used in the 1980's, so don't do it with your photographs.
Thirdly, and this is often one of the most widely ignored tips on the Internet. It is not appropriate to have an image of you raising your glass, obviously on a bender, as your LinkedIn (or other professional networking page) profile image. Nor is it suitable for prospective employers to see you in your skimpiest dress/hottest bikini (or mankini). This is, obviously, unless you are a model, escort, or exotic dancer.
The very first place that a prospective employer visits when you are being considered for a position vacant, is Facebook. How alarming that so many people still do not have their personal Facebook pages secured to prevent their personal images and information from being readily available to the rest of the world. I am not sure that your conservative, family-centric future employer will be pleased to see the pictures of you being groped by a 'random' on your last holiday.
Recently there was a young woman in America (where else in the world) who was suing her former employer for unfair dismissal, after her attire was deemed to be inappropriate on repeated occasions. Granted, she worked in a lingerie factory, but her employer had expressed that her clothing was not suitable for her religious workplace. So, rather than change her wardrobe, she continued to present herself in the same way, until her contract was not renewed. Moral to the story? Just because you work in a banana factory, does not mean you can come to work dressed like a gorilla.
Be it right or wrong, image matters. Not just in the social pages, but in your workplace, friendship circles, and even for you as a consumer. The classic scene in Pretty Woman, where Julia Robert's character was dismissed by a sales clerk when she entered the store dressed as a hooker, but attended to when she returned to the store a a 'lady'. If you, as a business owner or employee, do not present appropriately to your clients (or prospective clients) you too will be dismissed.
As with all advice, caution does need to be taken. Some professional images come off as being a little bit more Zoolander than business professional, and it would be a shame for prospective contacts to shun you because they think you are a complete tosspot. This was demonstrated in a recent article by Mark Ritson over at B&T. Despite the message Mark was attempting to get across with his article, his image was the focus of this comment:
Bob is a rabbit • 5 days ago • Edit
Image is important, irrespective of your field, or level on the ladder. So have long, hard look at yourself, and consider what message you are sending to others. You never get a second chance at a first impression.
In this day and age, where so many people consider themselves to be professional photographers, simply because they own a digital SLR camera, it is quite surprising to see the calibre of images people insist on using for their professional portfolio.
Firstly, there are those who are using blurry, candid, or mobile phone images. What kind of message is this sending to your prospective clients, or employers, that you will not invest in your professional image? A tight crop of your face from a photograph taken at a bucks party is not going to show you at your professional best. Ask a favour of a mate with a decent camera - shout them a bottle of wine or offer to help them move- if they take half a dozen casual, but decent photos of you.
Secondly, there are the outdated images. Just because you loved the way your hair fell in 1976, does not mean that you should try to hang onto your glory days by using that picture to promote yourself, or your business. Clients and prospective employers would much rather a recent photograph of you. I know from my own experiences, how off putting it can be to meet with someone who looks absolutely nothing like the image they have provided of themselves. This can also plant a seed of doubt, where others will be looking for other disparities or inconsistencies in your qualifications or service record. You would not continue to use the same resume you used in the 1980's, so don't do it with your photographs.
Thirdly, and this is often one of the most widely ignored tips on the Internet. It is not appropriate to have an image of you raising your glass, obviously on a bender, as your LinkedIn (or other professional networking page) profile image. Nor is it suitable for prospective employers to see you in your skimpiest dress/hottest bikini (or mankini). This is, obviously, unless you are a model, escort, or exotic dancer.
The very first place that a prospective employer visits when you are being considered for a position vacant, is Facebook. How alarming that so many people still do not have their personal Facebook pages secured to prevent their personal images and information from being readily available to the rest of the world. I am not sure that your conservative, family-centric future employer will be pleased to see the pictures of you being groped by a 'random' on your last holiday.
Recently there was a young woman in America (where else in the world) who was suing her former employer for unfair dismissal, after her attire was deemed to be inappropriate on repeated occasions. Granted, she worked in a lingerie factory, but her employer had expressed that her clothing was not suitable for her religious workplace. So, rather than change her wardrobe, she continued to present herself in the same way, until her contract was not renewed. Moral to the story? Just because you work in a banana factory, does not mean you can come to work dressed like a gorilla.
Be it right or wrong, image matters. Not just in the social pages, but in your workplace, friendship circles, and even for you as a consumer. The classic scene in Pretty Woman, where Julia Robert's character was dismissed by a sales clerk when she entered the store dressed as a hooker, but attended to when she returned to the store a a 'lady'. If you, as a business owner or employee, do not present appropriately to your clients (or prospective clients) you too will be dismissed.
As with all advice, caution does need to be taken. Some professional images come off as being a little bit more Zoolander than business professional, and it would be a shame for prospective contacts to shun you because they think you are a complete tosspot. This was demonstrated in a recent article by Mark Ritson over at B&T. Despite the message Mark was attempting to get across with his article, his image was the focus of this comment:
Image is important, irrespective of your field, or level on the ladder. So have long, hard look at yourself, and consider what message you are sending to others. You never get a second chance at a first impression.
You forgot the Staceism :-o
ReplyDeleteMy bad, CB. I will have to include it in a future blog :)
ReplyDeleteHave you ever auditioned for Phantom of the Opera?? LOL
ReplyDeleteHahaha, not yet (I will not rule it out though!) :)
ReplyDeleteActually, your "Phantom" photo should be the Australian standard for all passports.........nothing like a bit of drama at customs :-)
ReplyDeleteHaha, indeed! Although I would like to see more demonic lighting from below. I will be sure BYO my own torch for my next passport picture! :) *insert evil laugh*
ReplyDeleteThey may give you some funny looks at Australia Post :-)
ReplyDelete