Posted by This morning while perusing LinkedIn connections, I was amazed at how I was impacted by a headshot where the LinkedIn member literally beamed.
It’s easy for us to think,
How could anyone make a decision solely based on a head shot?
After all, aren’t we all logical, objective human beings?
While I doubt anyone would admit to hiring someone based on their headshot, according to Guardian Direct…
Almost three-quarters of employers say they look for a “positive attitude” in candidates — the No. 3 most sought-after personality trait in candidates. And…
A great smile projects a radiant, energetic attitude that recruiters and hiring managers love. [1]
A recent Penn State University study confirmed that
When we smile we not only appear more likeable and courteous, but we’re actually perceived to be more competent. [2]
Even the National Institute of Health has found that,
Smiling faces were rated as being positive, whereas the neutral faces were evaluated as being slightly negative. [3]
Rather than assume that all hiring managers are rational and objective, do yourself a favor and go out and get yourself a great headshot.
If you need any more guidance about getting a great headshot, check out my post, Your LinkedIn Photo, After Getting Found, Nothing Is More Important
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Clark Finnical is a Career Expert and the author of
Job Hunting Secrets (from someone who’s been there),
LinkedIn Strategies to Take Your Career to the Next Level ,
How to Stand Out: From All of the Other Candidates,
What No One Told You About Job Titles and Your Job Search
The Job Loss Mind Game: What Really Happened And What You Need to Do Now
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[1] How to nail a job interview with your smile https://www.guardiandirect.com/resources/articles/how-nail-job-interview-your-smile
[2] The Untapped Power Of Smiling https://www.forbes.com/sites/ericsavitz/2011/03/22/the-untapped-power-of-smiling/#73e13f057a67
[3] Eye contact with neutral and smiling faces: effects on autonomic responses and frontal EEG asymmetry https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3343319/
Headshot credits from left to right
Amanda Moyle / CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0): https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Christopher_Ewen_Headshot1.jpg
Jim Condron / CC BY (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0): https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Jim_Condron_Headshot.jpg
Steve Jurvetson / CC BY (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0): https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Steve_Jurvetson_Headshot.jpg
John Plas / CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0): https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:New_Acting_Headshots_3.jpg
