Career Ready Ambassador Tarinya Gamage explains how an updated LinkedIn profile photo could help you develop a new, professional image and online profile, as well as be an intentional step in building your career.
Have you ever opened your LinkedIn, looked at your profile picture and thought, “I’ll fix it later,”? Only to realise it’s still a cropped group photo, or a low-quality selfie, or a photo that no longer matches the professional image you’re trying to build. You’re not alone.
For many students, building a professional presence often sits somewhere between assignments, part-time work, exams and everything else university life brings. It’s important, but it can be difficult to know where to start.
That was exactly why La Trobe University’s Employability Team hosted the recent LinkedIn Headshot Session.
What seemed like a simple opportunity to get a professional photo quickly became something much bigger.
It was a chance for students to invest in themselves, learn about employability resources offered by Career Hub, and get useful advice from Career Ready Ambassadors.
A different kind of queue
On 19 May, students queued between classes, study sessions, assignment deadlines and lunch breaks.
Some arrived knowing exactly why they were there. Others stopped after spotting the setup and decided to participate.
One of the teachers in my class directed us towards
this event. professional
headshots are pretty expensive apparently, so I thought I’d jump on it!”
Ella – Media & Communications
What connected everyone was a shared understanding that professional opportunities don’t always begin with a job application. They begin with preparation! The LinkedIn Headshot Session, organised by La Trobe University’s Employability Team, created an opportunity for students to invest in building their professional online presence.
By the end of the session, 83 students had their professional headshots taken.
A community effort and confidence on a coat hanger
One of the standout features of the event wasn’t the camera; it was the suit jackets.
Not every student owns professional attire, and that shouldn’t be a barrier to building a professional presence. To help make the experience more accessible, the La Trobe Business School staff donated 10 suit jackets, with a further three donated from across the University.
Of the students who attended, approximately 70 per cent borrowed a jacket for their headshot allowing them to feel more confident, professional, and ready to put their best foot forward.
Beyond the camera
One of the highlights of the event as a Career Ready Ambassador was speaking with students and recording their video testimonials.
From placement and internship applications to graduate aspirations, everyone had a different story, but a shared goal: taking the next step in their career journey.
While some students were already familiar with Career Hub, others were discovering its resources for the first time.
Career development doesn’t always happen in lecture theatres or textbooks. It happens in conversations, through connections and when you decide to be curious and put yourself out there
More than a LinkedIn photo
For students, the session wasn’t just about getting a new LinkedIn photo. It was about being intentional in their approach to becoming an early career professional. Career readiness is about making decisions consistently over time – attending a workshop, reviewing or developing your resume, engaging in conversations, updating your LinkedIn profile and having a professional headshot photo taken.
To support you to build a professional LinkedIn profile, check out these resources: Rock Your LinkedIn Profile and Add a Photo and Stand Out.
What’s next?
For many students, the LinkedIn Headshot Session was a reminder that career development doesn’t always happen in lecture theatres or textbooks. It happens in conversations, through connections and when you decide to be curious and put yourself out there.
If you missed out on the LinkedIn photo shoot this time, don’t worry! Book in for the next LinkedIn Headshot session happening at the Melbourne (Bundoora) Campus on Wednesday 12 August.
The photoshoot will coincide with the Employability Expo which will bring together students, employers, career resources and opportunities all in one place. Come along and speak to employers, industry representatives and have your LinkedIn headshot taken at the same time!