76% of Recruiters Prefer This Type of Headshot - It's Not What You Think
In the ever-evolving landscape of job applications and professional networking, a surprising trend has emerged: the preference for AI-generated headshots over traditional photographs. This shift is reshaping how job seekers present themselves and how recruiters evaluate candidates.
Joey Stein
5 min read
·September 17, 2024
Key Findings
A recent survey conducted by cloud communications company Ringover in June 2024 revealed some startling insights:
- 76.5% of recruiters prefer AI headshots over real ones
- Despite 80% of recruiters believing they could accurately identify AI headshots, they were correct only 39.5% of the time
- 66.7% of recruiters say headshots help put a face to a name
The Importance of Headshots in Recruitment
Recruiters value headshots for several reasons:
- Getting a better feel for the applicant's character (57.5%)
- Making candidates more memorable (39.7%)
- Assessing company fit (30.3%)
The Role of Social Media in Recruitment
- 50% of recruiters always review candidates' LinkedIn or other social media profiles
- An additional 33.3% do so if listed in the application
The Impact of Unprofessional Headshots
A poor-quality headshot can significantly harm an application:
- 67.5% of recruiters are put off by bad pictures
- Top turn-offs include:
- Overly stylized or posed shots (40.9%)
- Poor photo quality (39.9%)
- Too informal (35.6%)
- Use of filters or obvious editing (32.7%)
Glenda Quek
I am so impressed with the results! The process was so easy and great that I saved an entire afternoon by skipping the hours on hair & makeup + outfit selection.
Melissa Ercolano
It's like having a full photo session without the hassle of look here, look there, do this, do that, now change clothes, etc.
Tanya
Needed a professional headshot for my LinkedIn profile. This was perfect.
Kirill Kim
This is amazing! I didn't expect such quality, and it's really perfect to use it in profile of business card or anywhere where you want to show yourself or your company!
The AI Headshot Dilemma
While recruiters show a preference for AI headshots, there's a notable contradiction in their attitudes:
- 66% would be put off by undisclosed AI-generated headshots
- 88% believe candidates should clearly state when using AI-generated images
However:
- 84% of recruiters would use or consider using an AI headshot themselves
- 88% felt it would be beneficial for their company
The rise of AI headshots presents both opportunities and challenges in the recruitment process. While they're increasingly preferred and can level the playing field for job seekers, there's still a demand for transparency in their use. As this technology continues to evolve, it's clear that AI-generated images will play a significant role in shaping first impressions in the professional world.
This article is based on a survey of 1,087 US-based recruiters conducted by Ringover in June 2024.
