An on-campus LinkedIn headshot hub, located on the first floor of the Rebecca Stafford Student Center, is offered by the Career Development office. For students preparing to enter the workforce, free professional-looking headshots are provided as one of their services.
Students can access this resource every Wednesday from 3:00 to 4:00 p.m. “If students can’t make it those times, they can just reach out and we’d be happy to schedule them to come in whenever they’re available,” said Harry Termyna, a Career Coach at the Career Development office.
Termyna added, “There’s no cost. It’s a service that we provide to students. During college, professional headshots should not be a cost students should have to worry about.” All students are welcome to utilize this service.
Mariagrazia Buttitta, a Career Coach, said “We have a setup in one of our rooms with lighting. We really try to give students control, so they can bring their own phones and use their own technology. One of the student workers, or Julia, our Outreach Coordinator, can take the picture and then they will have immediate access to it. If they don’t have a good camera on their phone, students can use one of our smartphones or our career development tablet, and we can just email the headshot to them immediately.” Students can then utilize these photos on platforms such as LinkedIn, or Handshake. A professional camera is not available, but students can choose to bring their own.
Termyna said, “We have the white backdrop, two lights, and then a ring light.” Students can choose which to use for the lighting they prefer for their portrait photos.
“Having a professional profile photo shows recruiters that this person’s ready to work and that they’re taking the process seriously. It helps people see them as professionals, and as candidates for jobs, and should be taken seriously when they apply for these roles because they take themselves seriously,” explained Termyna.
Mark Ludak, Specialist Professor of Photography in the Art and Design Department, said, “Distinguishing features of a professional headshot would be that the lighting is flattering to the subject and consistent with professional standards.” Discussing the background, Ludak explained, “Any strong geometrics, or strong super-saturated colors, are things you want to avoid in the background as they would distract from the expression of the person photographed.”
“We have to remember, they’re not seeing you in person, so they don’t have a sense of who you are in an embodied sense. They just get a sense of who you are in a sort of visual product sense,” added Ludak.
Mary Harris, Specialist Professor of Public Relations in the Department of Communication, teaches a class on social media. She said, “Employers do pay attention to details, so paying close attention to image resolution, background, attire, lighting, and photo composition are all helpful.” Harris added, “Dress in presentable, work-appropriate attire; it helps to understand your career field and the outfits that work well in each. For example, an artist might have different attire than an accountant.”
“As with all things branding,” she continued, “it helps to understand your audience. Consider your target market and take note of how others with experience in the field present themselves online. Consider the message you want to convey and plan your headshot accordingly.” Harris advised students to speak to one of Monmouth’s two career coaches if they need advice on how to brand themselves.
Aliyah Feeney, a junior Communication major, said, “Although the photos were taken on a phone, the photographer changed it to a setting called portrait mode that made the photo quality better than just a regular picture. The lighting and background looked like expensive equipment and made the photo quality that much better. I wore clothes I would wear if I were going for a real interview for a job.”
After taking the photo, students can do their own editing and tweaking of lighting on the portrait to get the look they’re trying to achieve. With the Career Center offering a backdrop and lighting, utilizing portrait mode on their phone, is one way to mock a real photographer.
Kaitlyn Welsh, a junior Communication major, commented, “My photo came out well considering it was taken with my own phone. While it probably doesn’t compare to a professional camera, it does a great job. Having a professional headshot has definitely made my profile look more qualified and cohesive.”
“Job opportunities, whether it’s an internship or a job outside of college, often ask for a link to your LinkedIn in your application and you want that online presence that you know is being looked at by employers, to look professional and show you’re the right candidate for this job. It’s what sets you apart,” said Welsh.
The Career Development Center offers sign-ups through students’ Handshake accounts or accepts walk-ins every Wednesday.
