How you look, dress and behave can mean everything to get the job of your dreams. But it could all go down the pan if your Social Media profile doesn’t live up to the image you’ve tried so hard to portray. Having a photo of you and your mates in the pub downing whisky chasers won’t go down well with any new employer, it won’t portray the right corporate image or fit in with their idea of the kind of person you are.

Social Media portals like Facebook and Twitter are your ‘shop window’, you update your status and add your photos, everyone can see and read about you, how you’re feeling, what you’re thinking and what you’re doing. In this age of the internet and all the information available to us, employers can quickly Google you and find out everything they want (or don’t want) to know in the click of the mouse.

If you’re in the job market, hunting for that perfect job, you should rethink your public image. Take off those photos of you up to your neck in mud at a summer festival, knocking back Mojito’s in a bikini and falling over drunk on a Saturday night at the local pub and ensure your photos, comments and interests can’t be misconstrued or taken out of context.

Having a professional photo taken is just the start, whether it’s a quick £5 snap in a kiosk at Tesco or a full photo session with an established Photography professional, your online image should portray your corporate image. That is the image you want to put out there to any prospective employer.

Written by Lucy  at The Career Boutique

© The Career Boutique 2012

If you would like to discuss your professional portrait image for your social media sites such as Linkedin profile pictures – please call Studio8 on 01865 842525.

Our Exclusive Photography Courses at Blenheim Palace are designed to offer an introduction to photography and camera training to anyone who wants to get to grips with their Digital SLR and understand how to make better use of their camera to achieve improved photographs.

You can book a place on our courses direct from our booking site here: Blenheim Palace Photography Courses. 

Please call 01865 842525 with any questions – we look forward to hearing from you.
 

Here is a guest post from owner – Emma Blake . . .

There is truth in that age old saying – dress for the job you want, not the job you have.  Image in the workplace is everything.  We may not like it but how you dress for work absolutely influences how your clients, boss and colleagues perceive you.  It can even impact on the likelihood of your career success.

Think about 2 corporate employees arriving for work:

• One wears a casual outfit with a slight wrinkled, “I forgot to iron it” look, a missing button on their coat, a frayed hem on their trousers and scuffed shoes that have definitely seen better days.  They have also clearly put zero effort into their hair (and makeup) this morning!
• The second employee arrives looking polished and professional, wearing a smart dark blue suit, elegant pearl necklace, is immaculately groomed with shiny shoes and matching handbag.

Which employee will you nominate to organise the Board’s deeply important project?   Remember, who you nominate for this fantastic, career enhancing opportunity will reflect on you too!

It sounds silly doesn’t it and has nothing to do with actual talent, but simply based on image alone 99% of people will nominate well groomed employee no. 2 wearing the suit, describing them as more professional, better organised with a greater attention to detail, even if they don’t quite know why they have drawn this conclusion!

If you are not sure where to start with your own corporate image, look at the most senior men and women at the highest executive level in your organisation.  What are they wearing? Are they conservatively dressed?  They have all been successful for a number of reasons but having the right image for your company will be one of them.  Your aim is to mirror their style and most importantly, dress to impress every day, regardless of how you feel.  Start looking like you belong up there at the executive level and you (and everyone) else will soon believe it.

Corporate Photos -  Top Tips

• Remember a good corporate photo will last years so think timeless classic.  A well cut classic suit will always look great, so should be the natural choice.
• On trend hair styles can date quickly in corporate photos – Aim for “neat and tidy”, rather than fashion guru!
• Wear a dark colour suit and keep the jacket on – it always makes you look more professional, serious about your career and able to get the job done.
• If wearing a dark coloured corporate suit makes you want to scream for some individuality, bring in your own sense of style, or a touch of colour through a statement necklace, scarf or tie.  Try to avoid heavy patterns or comedy ties.   A row of pearls is traditional for corporate ladies in the big city firms and gentleman, don’t forget those cufflinks.
• Makeup will help you achieve that “well groomed” look in the final image and is worth considering.  The camera will require slightly heavier makeup than your normal day wear, so bring makeup wipes with you to remove the excess afterwards.
• Pay attention to the details – it will show in the final image.  Have a mirror handy to check your appearance just before you start – and don’t be afraid to stop the session to adjust your hair, collar or tie if you need to. Your photographer will completely understand that you want to look your best.
• Finally…. Your photo will be seen by everyone – not only your clients, but internally by your bosses and colleagues too.  What image do you want to portray?  Have a look at the Board’s corporate photos to see what works best for your organisation – did they go for the smiling, approachable executive look or serious business image?  By all means think about your pose but most of all, relax and be you.  Ask for a mixture of styles to find your most natural and engaging image.

Corporate Photo Checklist – Pay attention to those details:

• Women:  Suit, Blouse, Belt, Shoes, Tights, Handbag, Necklace, Earrings, Watch, Rings, Nails, Hair and Makeup.
• Men: Suit (find which style suits you best and stick with it e.g. single or double breasted jacket), Shirt, Tie, Cufflinks, Belt, Socks, Shoes, Watch, Hair, Personal grooming.

Written by Emma Blake at Pinstripe & Pearls.com

© Pinstripe & Pearls Limited 2011

Pinstripe & Pearls.com delivers a great selection of city suits and formal work wear for the busy professional woman.  We understand that your weekend is simply too precious to spend it rushing up and down the high street, only to find the one business suit you actually like, doesn’t fit. Our solution?  We deliver a streamlined, simple to use online shop, for those of you who want the whole corporate image, brought together for you, in one place.

If you are a band or an artist looking for a great studio recording and music video to help showcase your talents to the world this competition is for you!

Studio8 Video and Cooz’s Recording Studios in Oxford have teamed up to offer one lucky band, group or solo artist an great opportunity to create a professional music video and sound recording for free!

All you have to do is record a video of your favourite song (your own – no covers allowed) on any video device such as a smartphone, cam corder – even a computer video and upload it to our Facebook page.

Once its uploaded it can be viewed by everyone – so make sure you let everyone know its live. Then when the voting commences people can vote for their favourite video and act – here’s where you can remind everyone in your fan base to vote for you!

The top 20 videos with the most votes will become the finalists. Its then up to our Judges to make the hardest decision in finding a winner.

The winner will be decided upon songwriting/music ability, style and artistic promise.

Any Genre can enter from Heavy Metal to Classical Quartets!

Three Runner ups will also receive a free band photo shoot at Studio8 in Oxford.

What are you waiting for? Enter your act today!

Find out more about the sponsors:

Studio8 Video Production

Coozes Recording Studio

Duplication Centre

One Man Band

www.danz.co.uk

@danzspas

@_Reya

@studio8uk

We have created many videos for many different types of businesses throughout Oxfordshire and beyond.

Whether you require a simple promotional video for a news item, a more in-depth corporate video or something else our creative video team can help.

Take a look at our video site or call 01865 842525.

We look forward to hearing from you.

Studio8

All of our photography sessions are designed to capture fun spontaneous photographs you and your friends or family will love for years to come.

You can easily buy online or call our studio on 01865 842525

If you need something a little different, just ask!

Studio8

We haven’t had a chance to update the blog for a while, but we’ll be getting to that soon.

In the meantime, we’ve just update our website, hope you like it!

www.studio-8.com

Keep in touch . . .

Studio8

For now, check out these great video portraits, shot and edited at the new US base: Indent Studios, LLC

www.14orso.com

Win an Apple Tv with Studio8 on Facebook plus a Photo Shoot at Studio with your images on DVD to show off on your HD ready TV.

Simply enter your details into our prize draw for your chance to win!

Apple TV, streamlined.

Stream films, music, photos and more to the smaller, redesigned Apple TV. All you need is a single cable to set it up.

Browse and rent from thousands of films and stream the action directly to your Apple TV.

Stream photos, films and music from your computer to your HDTV and home cinema speakers.

Enter Today! Click Now