It’s crucial to build a personal rapport with potential employers when looking for work. It may be tempting to include a picture of yourself on your resume since it frequently serves as an employer’s first impression of you. This will help them get a better sense of who you are. The appropriateness of this for the position you’re applying for must be taken into account, though. In this piece, we address the question of whether or not a photo belongs on a CV and provide advice on how to choose the best option.
Table of Contents
How To Add A Photo To Your Resume If You Need To
Use these steps to professionally include a photo if you believe it is appropriate for the resume you are submitting:
- Top the page with the picture.
- Make use of a headshot that is professional.
- Your picture should be small.
- print with excellent quality.
1. Feature The Photo At The Top
If you decide to put a picture on your resume, put it at the top. There will typically be a small space in the top right or left corner of resume templates with photos. If a headshot is required, such as when applying for modeling or acting jobs, only attach your photo as a separate file.
2. Use A Professional Headshot
Instead of a selfie, a quick photo, or another type of image, use a headshot that was taken professionally. A good headshot has the following qualities:
Features only one person
Is taken with natural-looking makeup
Shows professional attire
Highlights a simple hairstyle, similar to what you would have for work each day
Has a simple background
Is free from props
Matches the photo on your LinkedIn profile
3. Keep your photo small
The picture should be positioned above other information on your resume, such as your name, address, phone number, and email. In this image, smaller is better.
4. Print Using High Quality
It’s crucial to print any document with your photo in high quality on a color printer if you’re printing a physical copy of your resume for submission. If you’re submitting your resume digitally, check the resolution on your computer before sending it. Recall that images may appear differently on a smartphone than they do when viewed in their entirety on a computer screen.
What To Do Instead Of Including A Photo On Your Resume
If you’re tempted to submit a photo with your resume because you believe that your appearance will help you land the job, there are other, more professional ways that you can do so.
Mention your professional networking profile
Give your business card.
Please direct the employer to your blog or social media page.
Mention Your Professional Networking Profile
It is appropriate to put a headshot on professional networking profiles since those profiles have a place for photos. A resume can have many advantages if it contains the URL for your networking profile. A lot of information that would be overkill on a typical resume can be found in this profile, including:
Your connections
Recommendations from colleagues
Case studies, articles or PDFs that you’ve created
A more in-depth work history
These beneficial additions provide potential employers with several strong reasons to look at your professional networking profile. When someone visits your profile, they will also see your photo, which can help them associate your face with the other information you’ve given.
Include A Business Card
Instead of a resume, a business card would be a better place for a photo. People you meet will frequently ask for your business card. So that they will be able to recognize you when you next meet, the photo serves as a reminder of your appearance. In addition to showcasing your photo, attaching a business card to your resume can give your potential employer information about your webpage, social media accounts, and other points of contact.
Refer The Employer To A Blog Or Social Media Account
There are probably photos connected to your blog and social media accounts. By including information about these websites on your resume, you’ll give potential employers a chance to view your face while also learning more about you.
The quantity of followers you have on well-known websites can be a significant advantage if you’re applying for a sales or marketing position. The caliber of the content on your blog will be crucial to any employer interested in hiring you if you’re a writer or editor looking for work.
You can also prevent cases of mistaken identity by connecting an employer’s social media accounts directly. Many profiles may match your name and location if you live in a large city and have a common name. You want to make sure the profile an employer finds is the right one if they conduct a search on their own for you, as a profile from someone else may portray an inaccurate picture of you and your daily activities.
When To Include A Photo On Your Resume
Including a photo on your resume is typically frowned upon for the majority of jobs. There are, however, some exceptions when your appearance is necessary for the job. Usually, these jobs are for
Models
Actors
Musicians
TV broadcasters
Entertainers
If you’re not going to be on camera or on stage, you’re promoting your abilities, not your looks. A photo is not helpful for this type of resume because your appearance has no bearing on how well you will perform as an accountant or HR representative.
Even if your resume doesn’t include a picture of you, you should be aware that many employers will still look at a picture of you before calling you in for an interview. Many businesses now routinely check a potential hire’s social media profiles or perform a search engine query using their name. With this in mind, you should make sure the images that come up when someone searches for your name or visits one of your accounts or accounts that you are not friends with.
A Photo On A Resume Is Appropriate?
To further personalize their application, many people decide to upload a photo to their CV. On your CV, a picture of yourself is generally not recommended. Although it is legal to include a picture with your CV, the hiring manager may be unintentionally biased after seeing your appearance. Similar to how your photo might detract from your CV’s main goal of informing the reader of your credentials and experience, your photo might also do so.
Jobs That Require A Personal Photo
On occasion, it might be appropriate to put a picture of yourself on your CV. You might include a photo, for instance, if you’re applying for a position where your appearance could affect how well you perform or if the employer is hoping you have a particular appearance because the position involves working with the public. You can submit a photo for the following jobs, for example:
Actor
Model
PR representative
Salesperson
The majority of hiring managers and recruiters are accustomed to receiving CVs with and without photos. However, it’s preferable to omit a photo from your resume if you’re unsure whether doing so would be appropriate. This could avoid unintended snags in the hiring procedure.
Tips For Deciding On Including A Picture On Your Cv
When deciding whether to put a photo on your CV, keep the following in mind:
Think About The Tools Recruiters Use To Filter Applications
A candidate tracking system (ATS) is commonly used by recruiters to screen and sort resumes. In this manner, they are able to select the most qualified applicants from dozens of applications. It’s important to remember that some applicant tracking systems (ATS) may find it difficult to review specific resume formats, particularly those that contain images. Consider sending the hiring manager a copy of your resume via email if you’re worried about this possibility but still want to include a photo.
Consider Potential Bias
You can give the hiring manager a better idea of your appearance by including a photo on your resume. They will be made aware of your gender, age, race, and other characteristics if you reveal your appearance, which could result in unfair hiring procedures. While the law prohibits employers from treating you differently based on these factors, including your headshot may unintentionally bias the hiring manager, raising the possibility of legal issues for the company.
Review Your Document
Focusing on your most significant accomplishments is crucial because a CV shouldn’t be longer than a few pages. You must also make sure that your document is well-structured and simple to read and comprehend for hiring managers. You might compromise on other, more important discussion points if you change the formatting to make room for a picture.
Determine If You’re Working With A Recruiter
When looking for a job, you partner with headhunters, whose responsibility it is to apply for positions on your behalf to companies. Before sending your CV to prospective employers, headhunters frequently review and make changes. Not including a photo in the first place saves them from having to remove it from a CV, which is something they typically do.
Think About Your First Impression
You only get one chance to make a first impression when you apply for a job. Making a first impression in person rather than through a picture on your resume might be more effective when you are meeting someone for the first time. This helps guard against the hiring manager possibly losing objectivity while evaluating your CV and deciding whether to request an interview from you.
Consider Your Online Presence
Before interviewing or hiring job applicants, many employers conduct online background checks. Without you providing a photo of yourself, employers researching you are likely to find other images of you online that show what you look like. Similar to this, think about whether the application required you to submit your website or online portfolio. If that’s the case, it would be unnecessary for you to include a picture on your CV since it probably already does.
Review The Job Posting
Before deciding whether or not to include your picture, carefully read the job description. Some organizations might specifically request that you refrain from including a photo of yourself with your application. However, for other positions, like acting or modeling, you might be required to submit a headshot or even an image portfolio. Follow your potential employer’s instructions at all times.
Top job searches near you
Tips For What Picture To Include On Your Cv
Use these pointers as a guide if you decide to include a photo in your CV when choosing which one to use:
Dress Based On The Company Culture
Learn more about the dress code and the company’s culture by doing some research. For advice on what to wear in your photo, consult your research. For instance, dressing in a suit may be appropriate if you’re applying for a business position, but a chef’s jacket may be more appropriate if you’re applying for a position in the kitchen. Similar to this, if you’re looking for acting or modeling work, you might want to dress casually but professionally.
Choose Your Outfit Carefully
Carefully choosing clothing is crucial, in addition to dressing according to the position and the company culture. Choose simple outfits in solid colors rather than ones with patterns, slogans, or large logos. This can assist in minimizing unwanted distractions in your photo.
Hire A Professional Photographer
Make sure to hire a photographer for your CV who possesses the necessary skill set. A professional photographer might be hired rather than simply asking a reliable person. Many experts provide business headshot packages and reasonable rates. The photos are usually also edited for you by them.
Match It With Your Online Profiles
Use the same profile picture across all of your professional social media accounts and your resume. As potential employers research you, this helps develop a consistent personal brand. The same is true for preventing misunderstandings about your identity or appearance.
Use A Headshot
Do not use a selfie taken on your smartphone. If you can, take a professional photo of yourself with your head and shoulders using a high-end camera. If you can’t use a camera, it’s acceptable to use a smartphone as long as the image is of professional-level, non-selfie quality.
Be Natural
Make sure your photo enhances your resume rather than detracts from it. Make sure your hair and makeup are natural and pick a straightforward yet polished outfit. Consider using a plain background for your photo.
Size The Photo Appropriately
Pay attention to the picture size you use on your resume. However, it’s equally important to avoid making your photo too large and wasting valuable space on your CV. It’s important that your photo is large enough for people to see what you look like. The standard size for a photo is one that is comparable to a passport photo.
Think About Angles
You can take photos that will make you look good by using good lighting and an appropriate angle. Aim for an angle that is just below or even with the camera lens and make an effort to use natural light. The quality of your photo can be improved by working with a seasoned photographer.
Smile
Include a picture of you grinning naturally at the camera. Your smile must be sincere. This can aid in giving you an approachable, welcoming, and professional appearance.
Consider Grooming
Through the photo on your resume, showcase your excellent personal grooming practices. To make sure your hair is neat and healthy for your professional photos, think about getting a haircut beforehand. Make sure to wash and clean your face the day before the photoshoot, and style your hair in a formal, classic style.
