Attention, job hunters! Want to stand out from the pack? Upload a photo of yourself! New research shows that including a photograph on social media sites, like Twitter and LinkedIn, can boost your chances of attracting recruiters.

So, why is a picture a job hunter’s new secret weapon? Miriam Salpeter is the author of Social Networking for Career Success. She says that it’s human nature that people instantly feel more connected to you if they see your photo. So, they’re more likely to take a closer look at your resume, and possibly want to set up an interview.

Surveys back it up. LinkedIn users who have a profile photo are seven times more likely to have their profile viewed than photo-less users. And attention, Tweeters! Those with profile photo generally have more than six times the followers of those who don’t. Which is why career experts say that if you’re looking for a job today, you can’t afford not to include a picture of yourself on online networking sites.

And you don’t need to spend big bucks on it. Instead, the name of the game is making your photo look professional. That means dressing conservatively, not wearing distractingly loud make-up or a crazy shirt. And most importantly, smile! Studies show that people who smile seem confident, friendly, and approachable, all adjectives that you want recruiters to associate with you.