When was the last time you had a professional headshot taken? Perhaps it’s a selfie you’re using for your LinkedIn profile, or maybe you haven’t bothered to update it in a long time. A professional headshot is an essential tool for your career. It’s the first impression potential employers and clients will have of you when they visit your LinkedIn profile, and as such it’s important to keep it up to date.
It’s easy to become complacent with your headshot. Redoing it means making the time to book a photographer and hoping that the photos turn out well. Update it too often and it comes off as excessive. But… how often should you update your professional headshot? It really depends on your work, career goals, and how your appearance might change over time.
Start with the business of YOU
When you consider updating your professional headshot, the first thing to take into account is the nature of your profession. If your work relies heavily on networking, such as real estate, arts, or sales, you’ll want to keep your headshot up to date. If you have an online portfolio, your headshot should capture the essence of your current work.
Conversely, if you’re in an industry where your appearance isn’t a major factor, you can likely get away with updating your headshot every few years. Professionals like electricians, plumbers, and other service providers likely won’t need to update their headshots as frequently.
When life changes, update your headshot
Life is the only constant. If you get a new haircut, choose to dye your hair a different color, or your profession has changed, it’s time to take a new headshot. If you flip through your portfolio photos and realize they don’t capture your current state, it’s time to update.
As a general rule, you should probably update your headshot every two to five years. In this amount of time, your appearance is less likely to change dramatically and the photos will still be relevant to your career. If you’re part of a company and you all have headshots, it’s best to keep them updated as a unit.
Watch for indicators that it’s time to update
In addition to life changes, there are other signals that it’s time to update your headshot. If you notice that your headshot doesn’t look how you want it to, and you’re triggered to hide the posting on your LinkedIn profile, it’s time to take a new photo. Similarly, if you’ve taken a new job that requires a different professional appearance or if the image you’re using doesn’t truly represent who you are now, it’s time to take a new photo.
Or, if you’re noticing that other people in your network are getting fresh headshots, it’s probably time for you to do the same. Finally, if you’re in a corporate office and your bosses look less than thrilled when they see your headshot on the intranet, it’s probably time to update.
Conclusion
A professional headshot is an essential tool for your career, one that should accurately represent you and capture the qualities you want to project to the world. Keep it updated to ensure that it looks polished and current. In general, every two to five years should do the trick, but be aware of other signals that indicate it’s time to take new photos. Update your headshot to stay ahead of the competition and put your best face forward in the professional world.