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Employer Branding

How to Take the Perfect #WorkSelfie

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Contrary to a lot of advice in the past that suggests that selfies should be avoided for professional use, the trend may in fact be the answer to taking a great professional profile picture for your social media accounts. With the rise of smartphones, webcams and selfie sticks, it means that it is now easier than ever for us to snap our own shots wherever we please.

People often feel uncomfortable having their photographs taken by somebody else, particularly at work; so taking a selfie places the control in the individual’s hands and means that they can snap away in the comfort of their own environment.

It’s important that you present yourself smartly and choose your surroundings carefully, however, as a lot of employers will build their first impression based on your profile photograph. Data provided by LinkedIn has proven that you’re 14 times more likely to be viewed if you have a profile photo, so it’s definitely worth uploading one.

LinkedIn have provided some guidelines about how to create the perfect #WorkSelfie.

#WorkSelfie Top Tips:

  • Be aware of your surroundings: Try to stage your selfie in front of a blank wall as a busy background can be distracting and you want the focus to be on you, not on your surroundings. As cute as your dog is, employers don’t want to catch a glimpse of him having a scratch in the background of your shot!
  • Choose the best lighting and angle: Natural light is the most flattering and is the best for taking selfies (trust me I’m a seasoned pro!) I recommend you avoid direct sunlight however, as shadows can distort or conceal your face. Try to avoid using the flash too for best results, as it can reflect light and make your face look a bit shiny.
  • The most flattering angle captures your face from slightly above, as it emphasises your eyes and has a slimming effect. Although shooting from below can make you appear powerful, it can make features seem more prominent.
  • Use a good camera: If you have access to a DSLR camera, you can produce really high quality photographs by setting one up using a tripod and timer setting. However, if this isn’t possible, your smart phone can be just as good an option. You can prop your phone up using a shelf, books, etc. to avoid getting your arm in shot. A selfie stick can also be used if you position it right (who knew that Christmas gift would come in so handy!)
  • Think about what you’re wearing: Head shots generally work best for networks such as LinkedIn, but you still want to think about what will be showing in your photograph, even if it’s just your shoulders. Block colours tend to work well in professional photographs and tend to be a better option over a busy print which can be a bit distracting. I think it’s needless to say crude slogan tshirts are also not recommended!
  • Remember to be professional: Trust me when I say you should save your pouting and mirror shots for Instagram! Try to relax and pose naturally. Smiling in your photograph will make you appear more approachable.

Check out our #workselfie hall of fame!

https://twitter.com/lucyhandley/status/593464246802976768

 

Image credit: LinkedIn

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By Sophie Deering

Account Executive at Link Humans, home of The Employer Brand Index.