Should I Include A Picture On My Resume?

In the competitive job market, crafting a compelling resume is crucial to stand out from the crowd.
One common dilemma job seekers face is whether to include a picture on their resume. While
practices may vary across industries and regions, it's essential to consider the potential impact a photo
can have on your job application.

Pros of Including a Picture:

1. Personal Touch: A professional photo can add a personal touch to your resume, making it
more memorable for recruiters.
2. Brand Image: A well-chosen picture can contribute to your personal brand, showcasing your
professionalism and attention to detail.
3. Global Practices: In some countries and industries, including a photo on a resume is a
common practice and may be expected by employers.

Cons of Including a Picture:

1. Unconscious Bias: Including a photo may lead to unconscious bias, as recruiters might form
opinions based on appearance rather than qualifications.
2. Equal Opportunity Concerns: In many regions, including a photo may go against equal
opportunity guidelines, as it could potentially lead to discrimination.
3. Resume Size: Adding a photo may increase the file size of your resume, making it harder to
upload and causing potential formatting issues.

Best Practices:
1. Check Industry Norms: Research whether including a photo is common in your industry
and region. Tailor your decision based on local practices.
2. Consider the Company Culture: Evaluate the company culture of the organizations you're
applying to. Some companies may appreciate a personal touch, while others prefer a more
standardized approach.
3. Quality Matters: If you decide to include a photo, ensure it is professionally taken and
aligns with the industry's standards.
4. LinkedIn Profile: Instead of adding a photo to your resume, consider providing a link to
your LinkedIn profile, where employers can view your professional image.

In conclusion, the decision to include a picture on your resume depends on various factors, including
industry norms, regional practices, and personal preferences. It's crucial to weigh the pros and cons
carefully and make an informed choice that aligns with your career goals. Remember, your resume is
a reflection of your professional qualifications, so choose elements that enhance rather than hinder
your job prospects.

For expert assistance in crafting a standout resume, consider ordering professional services from
BestResumeHelp.com . Their experienced team can provide valuable insights and help you create a
resume that makes a lasting impression on potential employers.
If it’s online (as it most likely should be these days), put a link to it in your resume header with the
rest of the contact info. Save preferences This site uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience
on our website. Otherwise, HR will hardly be able to evaluate your writing and technical skills. Our
team conducts original research to understand the job market better, and we pride ourselves on being
quoted by top universities and prime media outlets from around the world. If you google “Should I
put my photo on my resume”, you will find dozens of articles explaining why you shouldn’t ever do
this. Put them in your experience or your skills section. Plus, you’ll get ready-made content to add
with one click. Your full address —employers don’t need it at this point. Get a weekly dose of
inspiration delivered to your inbox Must be a valid e-mail address. We use cookies to give you the
best possible experience on our website. You've got two options: email your cover letter as an
attachment, or write an email cover letter. It’s no wonder why so many applicants are flocking to
these jobs. As you might have heard, HR specialists spend just a few seconds skimming your resume
before deciding whether to put it in the refusal pile or not. In the Introduction: Do not include a
resume objective if you are a professional with a lot of work experience. Industry The second
determining factor for the profile photo dilemma is the industry you are applying for. Also, you
should make sure that you list as many skills from the job description as possible. You will come
across as weird, not quirky or charming. Save preferences This site uses cookies to ensure you get
the best experience on our website. This template is very versatile: will work for traditional as well as
creative jobs. 3. Cubic Create my resume now Another resume that helps you organize all the items
better thanks to the double-column layout. Examples of Photo for Resume Do Don’t If you are stuck
in between adding your picture to the CV or removing it, a happy middle ground would be to add a
link to your LinkedIn profile. Before we further discuss every section that has to be put on a resume,
here’s a thought— Putting together a resume is a tough and time-consuming process. Don't miss out
on exclusive stories that will supercharge your career. Additional resume sections —good things to
put on a resume include language skills, relevant certifications and licenses, or volunteer work
experience. The results are even more blurred when you seek help from Google. So, if you’ve
decided to include a picture in your resume, you have to figure out exactly which one to choose and
how to take professional photographs for your CV. Frequently Asked Questions about What to Put
on a Resume What are good skills to put on a resume. So, what should you include in your
experience section. Rate my article: resume picture Average: 4.02 ( 50 votes) Thank you for voting
Aleksandra Nazaruk Aleksandra is a writer and a career expert at Zety. The most important thing to
keep in mind when writing both is that you no longer tell an employer what you want. While a
standard resume will include contact information, experience, and education, the skills and
achievements you add will differ based on your job offer.
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: How to Add Study Abroad to Resume How to Make a Cover Letter
How useful was this post. Opinions are our own, but compensation and in-depth research may
determine where and how companies appear. Again, the most important pieces of information are
prominent thanks to professionally-looking headings. 5. Newcast Create my resume now Last but not
least—Newcast. Industry The second determining factor for the profile photo dilemma is the
industry you are applying for. In such cases, a resume with a picture is acceptable—but remember
that most heavy emphasis should still be on your portfolio. Add a professional headshot photo to
your LinkedIn profile. Personal information like your sex or marital status. Frequently Asked
Questions Get answers to frequently asked questions about resumes, Zety, and more. Now, you
possess enough versatile information to be able to find your own answer to the “Should I put my
picture on my resume” question. The main function of these programs is to whittle down candidates,
so the majority of resumes are swiftly eliminated. Many companies are now placing more of an
emphasis on personality and how well they think you’d fit in with their team and the company’s
culture. One might ask -- should I present myself with a photo on my resume or just text. For
instance, when writing a high school student resume, or a resume for your first job, it will make
sense to put your education above work experience. Is it normal for applicants in your industry to
include a picture in their resume. Gillian Grunewald Gillian is a talented writer with a strong research
approach in the career field. Easily customize multiple settings to infuse your personal flair, all
through our intuitive editor. It tells you exactly what a hiring manager expects to see on your resume.
Use a summary statement instead, which is basically just an elevator pitch for why you’re the best
person for this job. Nanica Create my resume now The best thing about this template. Add key skills
throughout your experience section and make sure you include experience that matches what is
required by the job offer. If it’s something that is commonly done, it is okay to do it. Dress in clothes
you’d wear to a job interview —preferably semiformal attire, or at least business casual (depending
on company culture). Surprisingly, every second publication will offer a detailed justification of the
opposite. Also, including a picture in your resume is now often considered somewhat outdated. To
help you, we’ve outlined everything you should include (and a few things you shouldn’t) in your
resume. Resume Format Pick the right resume format for your situation. That means you only have
so much time to stand out from the competition and sell your skills. Otherwise, including the photo
will only hurt your chances of landing your dream job. But if you've been working for several years,
it's time to for the internships to go bye-bye. Revenue wins, client growth, and budget savings are
easy to quantify — and are resume gold.
Put them in your experience or your skills section. As you might have heard, HR specialists spend
just a few seconds skimming your resume before deciding whether to put it in the refusal pile or not.
Want to really strengthen your resume experience section. Numbers draw the eye of the recruiter to
the achievement, and details help them imagine you achieving the same results for them. After all,
there is one more skill or one more accomplishment that you can add to the list. Create a Cover
Letter Now Career Blog See All Posts Find out how you can get a new job or improve the one you
have. Your potential new employer is most likely going to Google you once you have made it far
enough through the hiring process (Check out our blog 80% of Jobs Will Google You Before an
Interview ) so don't waste your time fiddling with formatting a picture. Surprisingly, every second
publication will offer a detailed justification of the opposite. Also, including a picture in your resume
is now often considered somewhat outdated. Here are a few: Communication (Written and Verbal)
Leadership Planning and Strategic Thinking Analytical Thinking and Research Teamwork or
Collaborative Work You will want to scatter your skills throughout your experience section and put
your best skills in your skill section. Please note that in Ireland, Sweden, the Netherlands, and
Australia, the acceptability of a photograph in your CV is not so common. Easily customize multiple
settings to infuse your personal flair, all through our intuitive editor. These are your keyword skills,
and they are what recruiters want to see. You should research the company you want to apply to if
you are thinking of adding an image of yourself to see if it would be acceptable. Create your own
FlowCV Logo We are indie developers based in Austria - Mozart, not kangaroos. Including a picture
on your resume can open you up to age, gender, and race discrimination to name a few (unintentional
bias is a real thing). She has helped countless job seekers land their dream jobs by creating resumes
that stand out in a competitive job market. Having a photo unnecessarily takes up space, doesn’t
usually contribute to your application much, and may even get your resume to be automatically
rejected. It may seem like a small thing to exaggerate to make yourself look more capable, but one
day you will have to face the music. Advertising These cookies are placed by third-party companies
to deliver targeted content based on relevant topics that are of interest to you. In addition to that,
your LinkedIn profile is basically an extension of your resume, so: Put your LinkedIn handle in your
resume header. Some sources say it works, while others warn candidates not to put a photo on their
resume in a million years. CV Help Improve your CV with help from expert guides. Why am I
telling you about my crushed dreams (and foot). Those are the technical skills and core competencies
required to succeed in the role (unlike soft skills, which are more universal). In this guide, we will
dive into the various scenarios when you should or should not include your profile photo on your
resume and examples of good and bad profile photos. ABOUT RESUMES BOT We know that the
future belongs to ATS-friendly resume. Those resumes or one-sheets definitely can have pictures on
them—so that people can match you to the file afterward. It’s unfair, but it’s something out of a
person’s control. How to Write a Cover Letter Learn how to make a cover letter that gets interviews.
In such cases, a resume with a picture is acceptable—but remember that most heavy emphasis should
still be on your portfolio. If you are an actor, singer, dancer or magician, you 100% should put your
picture on your resume. Another factor that influences resume conventions is your location. For more
information, please visit our Cookies Policy and Privacy Policy. Want to really strengthen your
resume experience section. The Company is not responsible for all kinds of violations regarding
information distribution. For this reason, some companies have even created a rule against
candidates including pictures in their resumes. Create your own FlowCV Logo We are indie
developers based in Austria - Mozart, not kangaroos. After all, HR specialists often look up
candidates’ social media profiles anyway. If you have these questions yourself, don’t worry, as this
article provides insight into the matter. Here are a few tips for writing an effective technical writer
resume. List your professional social media accounts on your resume Direct employers to your
LinkedIn page and other professional social media accounts you may have. If you have higher
degrees, you do not need to add the high school you attended. Unless specifically stated otherwise,
such references are not intended to imply any affiliation or association with Zety. Now, let’s go
through all key sections you should put on your resume: 1. Plus, you’ll get ready-made content to
add with one click. Have a look at some sample resumes that include everything a good resume
should. If you don’t include anything else on your resume make sure you add keywords, skills, and
experience from your job offer and you can be sure that your resume is practically perfect in every
way. A resume photo does not provide any of this information and can be a major turn-off for the
employer. Some countries have anti-discrimination employment laws in place to prevent
discriminatory behaviors towards applicants. In fact, omitting a resume photo is a traditional solution
to the photo on my resume, yes or not” dilemma. Frequently Asked Questions Get answers to
frequently asked questions about resumes, Zety, and more. Headshot —don’t include your picture on
a resume unless you’re applying for a modeling or acting job. It may convince your recruiter to put
you in the front line for an interview. Start building a professional resume template here for free. The
resume objective is better for resumes for: students scholarships internships entry-level candidates
candidates without work experience career changers job seekers with career gaps Everyone else
should use a resume summary. Create a resume now CV CV Builder Create a CV in 5 minutes.
When recruiters want to search your profile online, they will check out your LinkedIn profile and see
your picture. This resume template will help recruiters easily skim through all the necessary sections
going from top to bottom. To help you make the right pick, we’ve compiled a list of CV photo tips
below.
Contact Our customer service team is ready to help. For this reason, you can try alternatives to
adding a photo to stand out and truly personalize your application. The importance of a photo in
supporting your case depends on the job that you’re applying for. In general, remember that photos
on a resume take up quite a bit of “real estate” and can distract attention from important segments
like your resume summary. That means you only have so much time to stand out from the
competition and sell your skills. While a standard resume will include contact information,
experience, and education, the skills and achievements you add will differ based on your job offer.
Ideally, you would have a professional profile photo on those platforms, at least on LinkedIn. Those
resumes or one-sheets definitely can have pictures on them—so that people can match you to the file
afterward. If it’s online (as it most likely should be these days), put a link to it in your resume header
with the rest of the contact info. Create your own FlowCV Logo We are indie developers based in
Austria - Mozart, not kangaroos. If you’re unsure of which words to choose, Augustine recommends
pasting the text from the ad into a free word cloud app, which will tell you which resume skills,
technologies, and qualifications the posting references most frequently. Other Samples from this
Industry: Add a Comment Cancel reply Your email address will not be published. We hope you have
got all of your questions answered. For more information, please visit our Cookies Policy and
Privacy Policy. Have you ever acted in a leadership capacity, even if it wasn’t in your job
description. If you think that there are more relevant and more impressive things that you can
include in the space that your photo would occupy, it’s best not to include it. That's why adding your
achievements to your resume is one of the best things you can do for your experience section. But it
is advisable to not use a picture on a resume where it is not needed. List your professional social
media accounts on your resume Direct employers to your LinkedIn page and other professional
social media accounts you may have. But you still want recruiters to easily recognize you. Create
your own FlowCV Logo We are indie developers based in Austria - Mozart, not kangaroos.
Frequently Asked Questions about What to Put on a Resume What are good skills to put on a
resume. When considering how to write a resume in the United States, be aware that it is not
customary to add a profile picture. Rate my article: what to put on a resume Average: 4.62 ( 149
votes) Thank you for voting Natalie Severt Natalie is a career expert and professional writer at Zety,
specializing in crafting compelling resumes and cover letters. It is definitely something that you
should consider including on a resume. 7. Other Additional Sections Besides a Hobbies and Interests
section, there are other extra sections you could consider including on your resume. But be selective
— this resume template nods to public speaking and event planning, and not punctuality or attitude,
for a reason. Put them in your experience or your skills section. Do you really want a recruiter to
waste their valuable time on your photo. A color-block segment creates the necessary contrast that
separates resume sections and brings out the photo: Use this template Cubic by Zety Another
efficient resume layout created with Cubic, a resume template with a picture that gets the job done.
In this guide, we will cover exactly what a technical skill is and some of the best examples to include
on a resume.
Otherwise, HR will hardly be able to evaluate your writing and technical skills. In sales and
customer support, a welcoming smile and a frank look in the eyes might be a great addition to your
skills and experience. On the other hand, if you are in industries that require more professionalism,
such as law enforcement, finance, business, medicine, technology or if you are applying for a federal
position, you should steer away from including a profile photo on your resume and let your work
experience and skills speak for themselves. Resume Help Improve your resume with help from
expert guides. Skills to Grab a Recruiter’s Attention 6. Hobbies 7. Other Additional Sections 8.
Remember that when you are trying to decide what to put on your resume your job description is
your best friend. Want to save time and have your resume ready in 5 minutes. However, if you’re
applying for a role in the media, modeling, and hospitality industries, your looks play a role (to
varying extents) in your job, thus, a Head Shot is required alongwith the resume. How to show your
photo without including it on your resume Don’t want to risk your chances by including your profile
photo on your resume, but still want to leave a personable impression. When you’re deciding what
resume skills to add, technical and other expert-level know-how should definitely get first dibs.
Besides, a list of such skills makes you look trendy and in line with the main developments in the
industry. These are two different kinds of resumes take a look at my dance resume compared to my
professional resume. Graphic-based resumes allow you to lay out complex information in a simplistic
way. Here are the tips on how to make a good photo for your resume: Try to avoid selfies, they
hardly ever look professional. List your professional social media accounts on your resume Direct
employers to your LinkedIn page and other professional social media accounts you may have. If the
job you’re applying for is not local, excluding your current address will help you avoid confusion.
Most recruiters use an applicant tracking system to sort resumes. Create your own FlowCV Logo We
are indie developers based in Austria - Mozart, not kangaroos. You can actually boil it down to just a
few words using our formula for resume titles. Whatever the section order you decide on,
remember— Each section has essential elements that you should include on your resume. Consider
these factors and evaluate whether including a picture is a good idea. The only exception is if you’re
writing a resume with little to no experience. Depending on the country, there are different company
practices in regards to recruitment and selection. They simply take up valuable space without adding
value. Finally, a photograph included in your resume can make it harder for the applicant tracking
systems to analyze the document and recognize you as qualified for the job. Headshot —don’t
include your picture on a resume unless you’re applying for a modeling or acting job. CV Format
Pick the right format for your situation. We hope you have got all of your questions answered. For
the countries without clear-cut practices, a good way to approach this is to consider your industry,
which we will be going over next. Choose from one of our many resume templates to help you stand
out from your competition.
Having an optimized LinkedIn profile that is updated to reflect your resume is crucial, as the
platform continues to be the most popular social media site for professionals. 2. A Resume Summary
or Objective Tricky question - what do you put at the beginning of your resume after your contact
information. After all, one of the worst things that could happen is for the employer to confuse you
for someone else. The main function of these programs is to whittle down candidates, so the majority
of resumes are swiftly eliminated. A resume photo does not provide any of this information and can
be a major turn-off for the employer. Otherwise, a bad profile photo might hurt your chances of
landing a position. You can add a link to your LinkedIn account or, even better, put an aesthetic logo
in the header. So, it’s better to consult a professional resume writer or a career advisor on it. Fit all
the information you need while keeping it neat visually and easily skimmable for the recruiters: Use
this template Crisp by Zety Need we remind you that all resume templates with a picture from Zety
are ATS-compatible. We are here to make your journey smoother, more enjoyable and ultimately
more successful. Easily customize multiple settings to infuse your personal flair, all through our
intuitive editor. Many employers do not want to run the risk of discrimination claims and thus
wouldn’t accept a resume with picture. However, if you’re applying for a role in the media,
modeling, and hospitality industries, your looks play a role (to varying extents) in your job, thus, a
Head Shot is required alongwith the resume. I agree to Money's Terms of Use and Privacy Notice
and consent to the processing of my personal information. Please enable JavaScript to view the
comments powered by Disqus. It's also a good idea to add most of the skills verbatim. Tailor Your
Resume To a Job Description 16 Things You Should Not Include on a Good Resume Key Takeaway
About Zety’s Editorial Process Frequently Asked Questions about What to Put on a Resume Scroll
back to the top What to put on a resume. Career Advice Improve your career with expert tips and
strategies. With a profile photo, employers can easily put a name to a face and picture you as a
candidate instead of just reading plain texts and making limited associations in their minds. Give
your potential employer the information they want and remove unnecessary details. In the
Experience and Education Sections: Every job you ever had. Key Takeaways Here’s what you need
to know about a resume with pictures: Don’t put a picture on your resume in the US. Here's what it
may look like: Create my cover letter now See more cover letter templates and start writing. Industry
The second determining factor for the profile photo dilemma is the industry you are applying for.
After you list a responsibility, think if you achieved anything significant while carrying out that task.
It also increases the credibility of the candidate. The electric power industry (including generation,
transmission, and distribution) provides many opportunities for technical writers. In Your Skills and
Hobbies Sections: Irrelevant skills that don’t translate to the job. Here’s what not to include in a
resume: Personal details such as your marital status or religion. During some visits, we may use
software tools to measure and collect session information, including page response times, download
errors, time spent on certain pages and page interaction information. Outside of those fields, you
should probably skip the image.