Does my CV/Resume need a Photo?

Article Written By: Sarah Maple

So you've written your CV. You've included details of past jobs, your work experience, your qualifications, and some references - all the basic, important, ingredients that will hopefully make you stand out from the crowd. Yet, just before you put it in the post and forget about it, there is always the question of how you can make it that little bit better. Including a photograph can seem a sure-fire way to achieve this, but is it entirely necessary? There are two things to think about when considering the addition of a photo to your CV. Firstly, whether you are applying for jobs in Cumbria or an internship in Berlin, it is important to acknowledge that CV specifications do differ slightly from country to country. In Germany, for example, it is expected to include a photo - whereas traditionally in the UK and USA, unless the job is explicitly a position which involves many people looking at you, they are not necessary.

So if it isn't required, why is it important NOT to include a photo? If you conclude that your prospective employer does not require a photograph, the reason for being sure not to include one is quite simple. For most businesses and companies, the selection process of a new employee focuses on the abilities and skills that each candidate has - therefore some job experts argue that if a large amount of the CV page is made up of a picture as opposed to facts and details, then its inclusion may be to the detriment of the applicant - particularly if the employer has thousands to sift through.

So what makes a decent CV picture? If you do come to the conclusion that a photo should be included, it is not a simple case of including any old snap. In relation to the above point about taking up important page room, be sure that your picture is no bigger than passport size. In the photograph, it goes without saying that you should look smart and presentable (i.e. not wearing a cap or sunglasses), but I also think it is important to go even further than this. To get the most from the inclusion of a photograph, be sure that the picture is recent and that when you turn up for the interview still look as much like the picture as you can. Imagine being in your prospective employer's position, if you had seen a smart passport photo, you are likely to feel a little duped if the candidate then turns up in the same suit but with a drastically different hair-cut.

About the Author

Sarah Maple writing about Jobs and the Job market

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