How To Take The Perfect, Professional Looking Selfie For Your CV

5 tips from the experts to help you nail the perfect picture

21 March, 2018
How to take the perfect, professional looking selfie for your CV

One of the best ways to personalise your CV and LinkedIn profile is by adding a photograph of your smiling, "perfect-person-for-the-job" face. Think of it this way: the text on your CV are straight facts about your professional career, which is standard, but the right photo can help tell a more well-rounded story and show potential employers your charismatic personality.

However you don't need to employ a professional photographer to get a great, CV-worthy picture; the right selfie can work just as well. We asked some of the volunteer stylists and employees of Smart Works – a charity that provides interview clothes, styling advice and interview training to out-of-work women on low incomes - to provide tips for capturing the perfect, professional selfie. Smart Works is just one of many projects supported by Special K through CHIME FOR CHANGE, which works to help give access to Education, Health and Justice to women around the world. Learn more about how you can get involved at the end of this article.

Follow these tips from the fab ladies of Smart Works (who also shared their own, un-retouched selfies with us) and you, too, can have a professional portrait to go with that stellar CV!

1. Be sure that you have sufficient and flattering lighting for the photo. 

​Lighting is one of the main things you'd be paying for with a professional headshot – and it's the most likely to let down a DIY effort. As the great Janice Dickinson told us many times on Top Model, to take a great picture one must "find the light and bathe in it." Natural light is the best, so position yourself close to your largest available window so that the light streams directly onto your face. You want to hit the "planes" of your face – your cheek and brow bones – but not from fully sideways-on as this will cast unwanted shadows around your nose, mouth and eyes. – Verity Messett, Volunteer Stylist, Smart Works

2. Wear appropriate clothing. 

As this is for use in a CV or online profile like LinkedIn, you want to keep it simple and professional. Think black, navy, white top and simple accessories; this isn't the time to show off your new 5-inch dangling, sparkly icicle earrings. Stay away from busy patterns; solids are always better for a headshot. The point here is that you want to draw attention to your face and your eyes (the windows into your soul, as they say!), so don't treat this as a fashion show. You'll have plenty of time to show off your favourite threads at your new job! – Amy Stevens, Volunteer Stylist, Smart Works

3. Hair and makeup: out of your face, and again, keep it simple. 

The point of a professional selfie is to show off your FACE, so make sure you have your hair swept away from that gorgeous mug of yours. And when it comes to makeup, less is more. While your new turquoise eyeliner is fabulous for a Friday night out with the girls, it's not the ideal choice for this occasion. Additionally, it's best to take your selfie as soon as you have applied your makeup and have done your hair – this is when you'll look most fresh and everything is exactly how you want it. Try taking your selfies first-thing in the morning to ensure you are at your most presentable! – Adonica Simmons, Volunteer Stylist, Smart Works

4. Set the mood with your expression - and for your audience

First ask yourself what you're trying to convey to your potential employer. Credibility? Or that you're a really nice person? Both? Whatever it is, you'll want to ensure your expression suits the objective. And be sure to take stock of your various expressions. Some people can look bored or angry when they don't smile, while others can convey seriousness or stability. It's also important to appear as though your expression isn't forced, so experiment in front of a mirror to see what looks the most natural. Other tips: Avoid clichés: don't pout or try to appear goofy or funny; keep it natural and relaxed. Oh, and share it with a few mates to get their opinion as it's always good to get honest (but polite!) feedback. – Robina Brennan, office manager at Smart Works

5. Avoid elaborate filters.

The last thing you want is a potential employer not recognising you at the interview because you've added four layers of filters and a blur effect to your photograph. While filters are a lot of fun, they do tend to overemphasise certain elements of a picture and can often look fake. It's better to fiddle around with the colour and light rather than apply a filter – though the one exception is a black and white filter if you decide you'd rather not post a colour photograph. Let's be honest, there's nothing more flattering than a B&W filter! – Samantha Jones, Office Manager, Smart Works

Special K and CHIME FOR CHANGE are working to #BringColourBack to help women and girls everywhere have access to Education, Healthcare and Justice. Show your support by sharing a black-and-white selfie using the hashtag. To find out more, go to http://www.bringcolourback.co.uk

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Credit: Cosmopolitan
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