If you decide to include a photo on your resume — which is an interesting topic in itself — it’s worth noting that most international recruiters do not require, and often explicitly advise against, attaching a photo. The reason is that a photograph can trigger immediate, almost instinctive (and unconscious) bias in the first screening stage. Some also consider it legally sensitive, as it may pose a discrimination risk for the employer. Let’s face it: no one wants to be accused of hiring only people with black hair, or only attractive candidates, or only green-eyed ones, and so on. Modern CVs are generally encouraged to focus on real value rather than appearance.
That said, there are still sectors where — even if a photo is not explicitly requested — including one is strongly recommended. In many roles, appearance does matter. In other cases, the expectation is not professional but cultural: people simply like to see who they are reading about.
A great compromise solution is to include a link to your LinkedIn profile. Your photo is available there, so if an employer is genuinely interested in what you look like, they can easily check it — if they want to.
It is also true that for people-focused roles (such as sales, PR, education, etc.), or professions built around a personal brand (coaching, training, and similar fields), including a photo can be clearly beneficial. Likewise, if you are using a template that visually expects a photo (we have some like that as well), adding one makes sense. On the flip side, if you are targeting the IT sector, a photo is often so irrelevant that it can even become a disadvantage.
Now, if you do decide to attach a photo, make sure it meets the following criteria:
- Neutral background (no posing in front of the Sphinx — a simple bookshelf works perfectly)
- Natural lighting (overly lit setups look like studio portraits; subtlety works better)
- Head-and-shoulders portrait (this isn’t a dating profile — avoid full-body shots)
- Confident, friendly facial expression, possibly with a subtle smile (don’t look overly strict; this isn’t a pre-battle profile picture, and a wide, toothy grin may not be ideal either)
- Business casual attire (a visible shirt collar is far more professional than a hoodie; and if you’re considering a bow tie, skip it — it may get laughs, but not the right kind. Keep it simple and elegant)
What to avoid:
- Phone selfies (seriously — surely you know someone who can take a proper photo)
- Photos taken in a car (just don’t)
- Cropped wedding photos (very awkward)
- Beach photos (this didn’t even cross your mind, right?)
- Party pictures (again — just don’t)
- Hobby shots (holding a fish, golfing, etc. — this should not be the most important thing you show about yourself)