Nicole's Notes: The Importance of a Professional Headshot

As the networking landscape becomes more digitally driven, it's more important than ever that you have a professional headshot.

I get asked about my headshot quite often. When I quit my former job and began revving up my job search, I wanted a picture that made me stand out and said, "I'm professional, sharp, and chic! Hire me!" Because after all, your social media avatars send a major message about who you are and what you do.

A nice-looking, crisp photo of yourself is definitely worth the investment. The old saying is true: A picture is worth a thousand words. Here are a few tips to make your photo stand out from the rest:

Have some professional photos taken. While this is the obvious answer, it may not be the cheapest but there are ways to get around the cost. Groupon and Living Social offer deals from local photography studios quite often. And I'm sure a Glamour Shots is still up and running at a mall near you.

Find a friend with a nice camera. Chances are you know someone who's into photography and has a decent DSLR camera. Give them a ring and schedule a mock photo shoot. Any bare wall makes a nice background. My headshots were taken against the brick wall of middle school building. Totally random but it works.

Remember that your photo should reflect your personal brand. If you're a travel writer, there's no need for the uber-professional, pose-and-smile headshot. A clear, crisp photo of you at your favorite exotic destination would tell your story much better.

Keep it classic. Your clothing, hair, and makeup should be timeless. Before choosing your camera-ready look, ask yourself, "Will I be recognizable in this photo one year from now?" In case you don't get around to updating your photo for a while, you want it to be something you can use over and over again without it feeling dated.

Take inventory of your social media avatars. Are they in line with your personal brand and career goals?

tags: professional headshots, Facebook profile photo, Facebook profile picture, Linked-in profile photo, Linked-in profile photo