| Pages in topic: < [1 2] | Poll: Do you think a professional-looking profile photo helps you attract more clients? Thread poster: ProZ.com Staff
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Julian Holmes 
Japan
Local time: 06:10
Member (2011)
Japanese to English
| Looks can be deceiving | Nov 30, 2013 |
"Professional-looking." What is this? Hmmm
Looks appeal differently to different people. This prompts the question "Would you seem to be a better translator in the eyes of others if you had a nice "looking" photo?" Or, must you be photogenic to be (look like) a good translator and get more work? 
I very much doubt that Proz users would welcome this assumption.
What if I were an ugly bastar... See more "Professional-looking." What is this? Hmmm
Looks appeal differently to different people. This prompts the question "Would you seem to be a better translator in the eyes of others if you had a nice "looking" photo?" Or, must you be photogenic to be (look like) a good translator and get more work?
I very much doubt that Proz users would welcome this assumption.
What if I were an ugly bastard?
Another hit-and-run poll question. Ho hum. ▲ Collapse
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Texte Style wrote: Elizabeth T wrote:
I'm considering having a photo taken of me in a business suit and using it as my profile pic. Will let you know if it works! You look good and smart in your photo, no need for a suit in my opinion! (or have you already changed?) I'm sure photos can make a good impression. I'm not looking to make an impression and I have had enough of virtual stalking which is why I don't even have one.
Thank you - I'm not going to bother with the suit, after all.
| | | | Sheila Wilson
Spain
Local time: 22:10
Member (2007)
English
+ ...
| An unprofessional one might be a problem | Nov 30, 2013 |
I think logos and avatars can work well; not having anything at all can also work; passport-style photos probably don't have much effect one way or another. But I do think it can be detrimental to have some sort of "fun" photo (at a party, for example), or some childish animation. I personally find pictures of children very off-putting: are they supposed to be the translator when a child, or the translator's own child, or what? Pets don't seem appropriate to me, either. But then, I'm not a clien... See more I think logos and avatars can work well; not having anything at all can also work; passport-style photos probably don't have much effect one way or another. But I do think it can be detrimental to have some sort of "fun" photo (at a party, for example), or some childish animation. I personally find pictures of children very off-putting: are they supposed to be the translator when a child, or the translator's own child, or what? Pets don't seem appropriate to me, either. But then, I'm not a client.
I think most clients are looking for an overall "feel" for the translator. One person may be able to get away with a jokey photo and jokey text because their professionalism comes through underneath it all. On the other hand, an ultra-serious picture, e.g. of a graduation ceremony in robes, plus a serious text, may put off some clients who are looking for a relaxed, rather informal relationship with their translator. I suppose it also depends on what they want you to do - they'll no doubt be looking for different personality for a video games translator as opposed to a legal translator. ▲ Collapse
| | | | Adnan Özdemir
Türkiye
Local time: 00:10
Member (2007)
German to Turkish
+ ...
My profile photo is from a Basque friend.
Thank you Aitor!
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But, all the translations done always from me.
Saludos/Selamlar
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| What do you mean.. | Nov 30, 2013 |
Julian Holmes wrote:
What if I were an ugly bastard?
..what if?
Curiously,
Steve K.
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Proz should have a dating plugin anyway. How else are translators supposed to pull it off anyway?
| | | | inkweaver
Germany
Local time: 23:10
French to German
+ ...
| My thoughts exactly | Nov 30, 2013 |
Tim Drayton wrote:
I do not see what bearing my physical appearance could possibly have on my ability as a translator...
Agree 100%.
Also, I don't get to see photos of my clients and I'm not even remotely interested. I am also not trying to "sell myself", I am offering translation services, a "product" of my education, my skills, my knowledge, my experience... All that has absolutely nothing to do with my smashing good looks
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Łukasz Gos-Furmankiewicz wrote:
Proz should have a dating plugin anyway. How else are translators supposed to pull it off anyway?
I agree entirely Lukasz... although I would question your use of the English idiom "pull it off"!
Steve K.
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| It may depend on your specialist subject areas | Nov 30, 2013 |
Just about the only photo of me that I use is an effort to look professional.
Like many others, I don't think it makes a lot of difference, but I admit that when looking for a colleague to work with, I tend to put pets, children and obvious party shots lower down the list. Relevant logos, on the other hand, go up. Thought has obviously gone into a message, and they stand out in the sea of faces.
Backgrounds are sometimes interesting, depending on what they show and whet... See more Just about the only photo of me that I use is an effort to look professional.
Like many others, I don't think it makes a lot of difference, but I admit that when looking for a colleague to work with, I tend to put pets, children and obvious party shots lower down the list. Relevant logos, on the other hand, go up. Thought has obviously gone into a message, and they stand out in the sea of faces.
Backgrounds are sometimes interesting, depending on what they show and whether it is visible in the thumbnail picture. (There are dictionaries in mine, but you need to know to see them. Besides, they are French, not the ones I use all the time...)
I then seriously look at qualifications for the job I have in mind, and ignore the picture if the rest of the profile is convincing.
I don't know what normal clients look for.
If I had a website, I would very probably go for a logo as the eye catcher, and the photo of me beside the contact details. ▲ Collapse
| | | | Mario Chavez (X)
Local time: 17:10
English to Spanish
+ ...
| It depends on visual standards in your working culture | Nov 30, 2013 |
I read, rather skimmed through, an article in the Wall Street Journal the other day about how some politicians (Obama included) are showing up without a necktie.
I would say that the photo you post on a website should resonate with the professional standards of your current and prospective clientele. It also has to be consistent with the image your words are projecting.
I like to make fun (in private) of photos I see on websites catering to professionals of all stripes... See more I read, rather skimmed through, an article in the Wall Street Journal the other day about how some politicians (Obama included) are showing up without a necktie.
I would say that the photo you post on a website should resonate with the professional standards of your current and prospective clientele. It also has to be consistent with the image your words are projecting.
I like to make fun (in private) of photos I see on websites catering to professionals of all stripes. A bad picture of you, however, is better than a blank square. I don't communicate well with emptiness, nor do sensible people.
Some ideas culled from my own experience:
1) Use a recent picture (“recent” means taken in the last 4-6 months)
2) Smile in that picture. It is possible to smile with your lips, in case of dental problems (that's what I used to do before I underwent orthodontic treatment in the last two years)
3) Make it a closeup picture of you and only you. Not your dog, your kids, your baby, your car or your family. It is supposed to be a professional picture.
4) I think selfies are fine, as long as you use a decent camera. Use a tripod when in doubt or if you don't have anyone to take your picture.
5) Pay attention to color, contrast and lighting. Dark pictures are useless.
6) Save your picture in TIFF, PNG or JPEG formats only.
7) I can't say this enough times: crop your picture down to the essential you.
8) Make it professional but avoid overly serious expressions or the passport/driver's license look. They are scary.
9) You don't have to be a clown in the picture, but please, please, avoid expressions of sadness, anger or overgrinning. They are client repellents.
I don't see anything wrong with posting a slightly playful picture of yourself if that's your temperament and if it is consistent with the content of your webpage (not the entire website).
Some of us are unaware that we don't smile very well or that we make a silly face when photographed. Let's ask a friend or a loved one to tell us and offer us critique.
[Edited at 2013-11-30 21:13 GMT] ▲ Collapse
| | | | Mario Chavez (X)
Local time: 17:10
English to Spanish
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Steve Kerry wrote: Łukasz Gos-Furmankiewicz wrote:
Proz should have a dating plugin anyway. How else are translators supposed to pull it off anyway? I agree entirely Lukasz... although I would question your use of the English idiom "pull it off"! Steve K.
Hahahahah, Steve. Zing!
| | | | | With Chrisitine (re specialist subject areas) | Nov 30, 2013 |
I'm not sure what a 'professional-looking photo' should be like - if it is all about a formal suit and a fake smile I do not find this really appealing, I guess. I know I'd look like totally silly if I tried to achieve this look, 'cause that simply wouldn't be real me. On the other hand I specialize in shipping, so a picture of me wearing a sailor's striped vest may count as a professional one? )
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Julian Holmes
Japan
Local time: 06:10
Member (2011)
Japanese to English
| Just love weekend polls | Dec 1, 2013 |
Steve Kerry wrote: Julian Holmes wrote:
What if I were an ugly bastard? ..what if? Curiously, Steve K.
@Steve K.
So funny I spat out my morning tea!
Liked "pull it off." too! Wicked
| | | | | Hopefully not off-topic... | Dec 1, 2013 |
(I'm now a non-paying member, so this post of mine requires vetting by staff and might seem to appear out of turn - sorry for any confusion.)
I visit this place frequently, looking for talent (and entertainment), and I read various contributions in kudoz and the forums (sometimes even participating in them).
If I put my outsourcer's/recruiter's cap on:
I'll sooner remember a photo of a person than of a cat (mostly). Photos needn't be professional, just normal. No ... See more (I'm now a non-paying member, so this post of mine requires vetting by staff and might seem to appear out of turn - sorry for any confusion.)
I visit this place frequently, looking for talent (and entertainment), and I read various contributions in kudoz and the forums (sometimes even participating in them).
If I put my outsourcer's/recruiter's cap on:
I'll sooner remember a photo of a person than of a cat (mostly). Photos needn't be professional, just normal. No graduations, weddings, no bikinis. Normal.
Likewise with user names - Sven Ching beats e.g. murlp17 in my book.
So if I've in the past crossed paths with (and been impressed by) a member with a "more easily remembered" name/photo, I might very well be more likely to approach him/her when the need arises.
There are many exceptions, of course. ▲ Collapse
| | | | | Time for a laugh.. | Dec 1, 2013 |
Julian Holmes wrote: @Steve K. So funny I spat out my morning tea! Liked "pull it off." too! Wicked
Glad you didn't take the hump, Julian, us UB's need to stick together.. grins.
Steve K.
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