Find out if your resume should go with or without a photo. Learn about the advantages and disadvantages of adding photography to your CV and choose the best option for you. See CV examples for free download at the end of the article.
At the time of making your resume, you will be asked whether or not you should include a photograph. The answer will depend on the vacancy you are applying for and the country where you want to work. Although photography is not mandatory within the curriculum, there are companies or countries where they request it as part of the requirements and others where it is not.
In this article we will tell you in which cases you should include a photograph on your resume and what are the advantages and disadvantages of putting a photo on your CV, keep reading and discover the answers to these questions.
Countries that do not ask for a photo on the resume
Just as there are countries where the tradition is to include a photograph in the curriculum such as Spain, Mexico, Colombia or France; there are others where they do not request the photograph and it is even frowned upon to include it.
In most Anglo-Saxon countries, it is not customary to request a photograph within the curriculum, even in the United States they consider it discriminatory. However, English-speaking countries are not the only ones, the following are also on the list:
- USA
- United Kingdom
- Australia
- Russia
- Brazil
If you plan to apply for a job in one of these countries, be careful not to include your photo in the CV, this way you will avoid disqualification by recruiters.
Resume examples with and without photo
Advantages and disadvantages of placing a photo on the CV
If you want to place a photograph on your resume, it is important that you take into account the advantages and disadvantages that we will present to you so that your final decision is fully justified.
✓ Advantages of putting photography on your resume
- You will make a first impression on recruiters.
- They will remember your face and this can make them consider you before the other candidates.
- The design of your resume has more dynamism thanks to the graphic elements.
- Your CV looks more personalized.
✗ Disadvantages of putting photography on your resume
- You may suffer from racial, sexual or other discrimination.
- If it’s flashy, it could distract the reader from relevant information.
- Check company policies before emailing a CV with a photo, as they may not require one.
Where to place the photograph within the CV
Once you’ve decided to include your photo on your resume, what you need to decide is where to put it. This step will depend on the overall design of your resume template. In most cases, the photo is placed in the upper right or left corner.
However, if your design is modern or original and the location is in the middle or bottom of the page, you can also place it in that area, everything will depend on the type of resume.
How to choose the ideal photo for the CV
Take care of the resolution, it should not be pixelated.
Your front face should come out.
Do not include photographs that are part of your social networks, because you lose professionalism.
It is preferable that you take it on a white background.
If you want to smile, do it, it all depends on what image you want to give to recruiters.
Make sure that the photograph is recent or that you currently have the same appearance.
Wear casual, formal clothes, never in a bathing suit.
Do not use filters, allow a natural image to be seen about yourself.
Resume without photo
Despite all the arguments for or against, the reality is that recruiters do not first look at the photograph inside a Curriculum Vitae. According to recruitment and selection statistics, less than 5% of recruiters make hiring decisions based on the candidate’s photograph.
The photograph is not the most important element of the resume, nor is the age or gender of the candidate. What most interests recruiters is the professional experience in the CV and the studies or courses that the person has.
In addition, omitting photography represents an opportunity for people who are considered very beautiful or unattractive, as both extremes often suffer from discrimination. Therefore, it is better to avoid it.
We can conclude that the omission of photography, in many cases, will allow you to increase your chances of being summoned to a first job interview.