It probably comes as no surprise that you can increase your chances of getting hired with the right profile picture. While the customs for including headshots in your job application will differ depending on your country, in Switzerland as well as many parts of Europe, it is generally recommended to include a photo of yourself in your CV. (You can learn more about best CV practices here .) In other places like America, where equal employment regulations are much stricter, profile pictures are not included in job applications.
Nevertheless, your profile picture is a good way to establish your own personal, recognizable brand, and for this reason, we recommend completing your Coople profile with a picture of yourself. But before you upload just any picture, there are some general guidelines you should be aware of when it comes to CV and job profile etiquette. Below are our 3 tips for taking your best profile picture.
1. Avoid selfies, even if it’s a great one
While you may think that your best photos are often taken by yourself, there’s a time and a place for everything. Selfies (and face filters) don’t convey that you’re serious about finding a job. Employers don’t need to see your best angle; they want to see someone they can imagine employing in their restaurant, hotel, or office.
See some good and bad examples below:
2. Take the center stage of your picture
Contrary to popular belief, you also don’t need a fancy camera to take a good headshot. Great profile pictures can be deceptively simple to create, and they don’t require an amazing backdrop or any fancy colors. If you don’t know where to start, ask a friend or a parent to take a snapshot (or several) of you using their phone or camera against a neutral or white background. Once done, use the editing feature in your phone, a photo-editing app, or a software like Photoshop to adjust the brightness, contrast, and warmth of your photo to your liking.
PRO TIP: For a better portrait, leave some distance between you and the wall to let the lens focus on you.
3. Say cheese!
You’re not taking a super-serious picture for your passport or ID, so feel free to showcase your personality with a smile if you want. If you find it difficult to hold a smile or a pose, ask your photographer to take a burst of snapshots as you move from one pose to another. The camera will capture your face in motion, resulting in a more natural-looking photo. Your headshot on your Coople profile should reflect your personality and let your potential future employer know that you’re the right hire.
DID YOU KNOW? 90% of all employed Cooplers have a picture of themselves on their Coople profile, and it’s proven that having a profile picture will boost your chances of getting hired for a mission . You also have the option of uploading more than just one picture, so you can show employers you are suited to a wide range of roles.