How often should you update your headshot photo?

It really depends on your existing photo and where you are in your career.

If you're reading this article, chances are your headshot out of date. It's understandable since it's something that's easy to put off doing. After all it takes time and money to update it, both of which tend to be in short supply for most people. But I'll explain why you should keep it recent.

To understand why you need to update your headshot regularly, think about why you had it done in the first place. Your reasoning might go something like this:

"I need to look professional"

That's true, but thinking about it a little deeper, you can then ask why you want to look professional. Maybe it's to get a new job or land the next client. How does having a photograph of yourself help you do that? The answer is that you're selling yourself. Without words, you want to communicate that you're an expert in your field who can be trusted to deliver. The keyword there is trust.

Going back to your current headshot, ask yourself if it really represents who you are today. If you were to meet a hiring manager in person, would they meet the same person? If not, you've just dropped a subtle hint that maybe you're not as reliable as it appears.

It shows that if you can't do a good job with your own online presence, how will you do a good job for the company? Ouch.

Some Guidelines

You should update your headshot relatively quickly if any of the following are true:

Your image is a cell phone snap. You should get this updated ASAP.

Your appearance has changed. Have you started wearing glasses, have new ones, lost/gained weight, or have a new hairstyle?

You've moved into a new position at work. Your new role should match your photograph. You've switched to freelancing or started a new business. This is especially true if you've shifted from a professional role into something else, such as a creative.

If none of those are true, then your headshot is likely fine for a few years. Your appearance hasn't changed much during this time and you're still working at the same place in the same role.

Just be aware though that all things being equal, your headshot photo does age out over time. We all get older, which means our appearance does change. A good guide here would be to ask a friend or coworker if your profile picture still looks like you.

If you've decided it's time to update, here's some information on prepping for a headshot session. If your headshot is part of a branding shoot, here are some ideas on where to do your personal branding shoot.