Should You Include A Photo On Your CV Or Resume?

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Should You Include A Photo On Your CV Or Resume?

TopCV are regularly asked whether you should include a photo on your CV or resume? The answer varies around the world depending on the role you are applying for. Here Amanda Augustine of TopCV sets out here everything you need to know.

Re-published with the agreement of TopCV

While it was once standard practice to include a CV picture, employers in the UK no longer expect candidates to include this information with job applications. The only exceptions to this rule would be professionals who are pursuing acting or modelling roles. In fact, thanks to anti-discrimination laws in the UK, some companies outside of the entertainment industry automatically disregard CVs that contain photos to avoid potential discrimination allegations.

The United Kingdom is not alone in adopting this practice. If you are applying for a job in any of the following geographic areas, you should not include a photo of yourself with your CV:

Africa
Israel
India
Australia
Canada
Mexico
United States

However, there are other places across the globe where employers still expect candidates to include a CV photo, including:

Member countries in the European Union(EU)
Latin America (e.g. Brazil, Venezuela, Peru, Argentina), with the exception of Mexico
Southeast Asia (e.g. Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam)
Middle East, especially in the UAE, where the photo is considered to be a crucial part of a job application

If you are applying for a job in a country where a CV picture is still considered a standard part of the job application, follow the same guidelines you would when selecting a photo for your LinkedIn profile. When deciding which CV image to use, keep the following attributes in mind:

Professional grade:The selfie you took during last weekend’s pub crawl is not suitable for your CV. Opt for a professional-looking photo that will complement your application, rather than damage it. If you’re short on funds, or simply not interested in investing in a professional headshot, ask a mate who owns a decent camera to take a picture of you in a well-lit area and with a simple backdrop that won’t compete with your face for attention.
Relevant:Select a current photo of yourself ‒ and only yourself. Employers won’t look kindly on family photos or other group shots, or pictures that are a decade old. Your picture should reflect what you look like now.
Appropriate:Your attire in the photo should reflect the industry you’re pursuing. When selecting your wardrobe, think about what you would wear to an interview. If in doubt, dress more conservatively than you would for a regular day at the office.
Cropped:Your photo should be a headshot, rather than a full-length body shot. Aim for your face to take up approximately 60 per cent of the frame. Crop the image from just below the top of your shoulders to just above your head so that the emphasis is placed on your face.

Has it been a while since you last updated your CV? Make sure your application will pass muster with today’s employers by requesting a free CV evaluation.

Amanda Augustine is a certified professional career coach (CPCC) and resume writer (CPRW) and the resident career expert for Talent Inc.’s suite of brands:

TopResume, TopCV and TopInterview.

Moving Abroad Checklist

Initial Considerations

Will your partner be travelling with you?

If so, what will they be giving up in your present home and will they be able to continue with their career in your new home? You will need to check whether a separate visa is required for your partner to work or if your visa gives that right. If they are unable to work you will need to decide on the effect on your finances and what alternatives are available to give a fulfilling life (home business, training, voluntary work).

Are you taking family with you?

Moving with family raises many exciting opportunities, but also can create challenges. The HSBC Expat Explorer survey indicates that expat kids can take six months to settle in to their new country (see article). Getting young or even older children to prepare to move and leave their friends and family behind can be a challenge and should be thought through.

The options for education is another area that needs to be thought through.

Moving your child to a new country with a different education system can be a great opportunity to broaden their experience, but if they are close to key exams the timing can make this inadvisable. If you do take your family with you, it is important to decide between joining the local school system or choosing an international school.

Where will you be living?

Whether you will be living in a house or apartment, furnished or unfurnished, these decisions will affect what you need to take with you. The time you are planning to live overseas will also affect whether you should leave your property at home empty, rent it out or sell it. See the article Sell, Store or Ship.