If you want to land the job of your dreams, then the first thing that you should do is to create a great CV since it is a very important tool, as it is how companies decide if you have the right qualifications to join their team or not. When you apply for a job, potential employers usually look at every little detail in your resume, including the picture. This is why you should opt for a photo that can attract recruiters and make them believe that you are the right fit for their company. Therefore, you should avoid selfies, beach pictures, and focus on what you wear. In order to learn more about how to take the perfect CV picture, keep reading.
Dress Appropriately
As mentioned before, you want your CV photo to show potential employers that you are a good fit for the job and the company. Every company has a culture and environment, and if you hope to fit in then make sure that your picture reflects what they stand for. For instance, if you are applying for a job in a conservative environment then make sure to dress professionally in your photo. On the other hand, modern and creative professions have more of a laid-back dress code. You should also check LinkedIn and take a look at the company’s employees’ resumes to give you an idea of what they are looking for. However, if you are in doubt then opt for a conservative outfit.
Hire a Professional Photographer
The saying “if you want something done right, do it yourself” isn’t always applicable because on many occasions you have to seek the help of a professional. If you want your photo to impress recruiters then you should hire a portrait photographer who has the experience and understands the required technique in order to capture the right picture. Moreover, a professional photographer also knows the right angles, lighting, how you should stand, and what you should wear. This will take the burden off of you and all you will need to do is just show up and look at the camera.
Choose the Right Background
There is a huge difference between the pictures that you take for your Instagram and the ones that you take for a CV. For example, your holiday photos surely look great but you can’t use them on your resume as there are many distractions in them, and they don’t really reflect professionalism. Moreover, you want the main focus to be on you and some backgrounds can be very distracting. For these reasons, your background must be a neutral color like gray, beige, or white. This is because these colors work well with different skin tones, clothes, and hair colors so the viewer won’t be distracted. Some people also buy professional backgrounds while others just use their walls but if your walls aren’t a neutral color then you can just hang a large sheet and use it as a background.
Focus on Hair and Makeup
Men should make sure that their hair and facial hair look good and well-groomed for their CV photo, or they can opt for a clean-shaven look, while women should style their hair appropriately. When it comes to their makeup they should keep it natural and simple to maintain a professional look and to avoid distracting the viewer. However, after you get hired you can change your makeup, if you want, in order to reflect your personality.
Smile
When you send your CV to recruiters or you upload it on LinkedIn, you can guarantee that it will be seen by hundreds or thousands of people which is why you should put your best face forward. Make sure that you smile in your photo as this will make you seem approachable and trustworthy which can play a huge role in being chosen for an interview. Some people feel awkward when they smile for photos so it will be a good idea to ask a friend to take your picture while making you laugh so your smile will seem comfortable and genuine.
They say that a picture is worth a thousand words, and when you apply for a job you want these thousand words to be in your favor. Your CV picture is the first thing the recruiter’s eyes go to when they see your resume, this is why you should put so much effort into every detail that goes into your picture. Remember, your CV is the first impression that you give your potential employers so make sure that it is a good one.
