Today’s post was written by Julie O’Malley of Pongo Resume!
Some formerly clear-cut resume rules are getting fuzzier as the web continues to emerge as the top resource for employers to find candidates and for job seekers to find work. Since we regularly share photos online and plaster our faces on LinkedIn and Facebook, you may be wondering if it’s still taboo to put a picture of yourself on your resume. The answer is yes (for now at least): The no-photo rule still stands.
And here are three good reasons why.
1. Discrimination
A picture’s worth a thousand words, and recruiters and employers would rather not hear most of them. It’s illegal to consider factors like age, race, gender, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, or disability status in hiring decisions. So hiring authorities prefer to not “officially” know whether you’re a member of one of these protected classes. If you put a photo on your resume, you reveal some of these details. If the employer later interviews you but doesn’t hire you, it opens the possibility of a discrimination claim. Some companies will even flat-out reject resumes with photos, just to avoid that potential accusation.
2. Technology
Big companies use applicant tracking systems (or ATSs) and databases to digest resumes into standard chunks of text that can be searched based on predetermined criteria. A photograph is a non-standard chunk, and that can cause technical difficulties if the ATS doesn’t recognize the photo file or format.
3. Professionalism
Putting a photo on your resume gives people the opportunity to judge you by your looks, your hairstyle, and your fashion sense, rather than your professional credentials. It doesn’t matter if you’re Hollywood gorgeous or just your average Joe–it’s better not to distract them from the relevant facts in your resume and cover letter.
In the end, the no-photos-on-resumes rule is just a guideline. Use your own judgment. If you’re an actor or a model, ignore the rule since your appearance is a legitimate consideration for employment. If you’re outside the U.S., follow local procedures; some countries expect a photo with your resume or CV. If you’re applying to be a pet groomer, a photo of you and your well-coiffed poodle might give you a huge advantage.
But when in doubt, avoid the visuals. Employers will probably sneak a peek at your online profiles eventually, but their first impression will come from your resume and cover letter. Be sure your words are well-written and targeted to paint a flattering picture of your skills, qualifications, and enthusiasm for the job.
Julie O’Malley is a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW) and Content Writer for Pongo Resume, a premier, full-service web site for job seekers. Pongo provides all the resume templates, tools, and support needed to write professional resumes and cover letters, ace tough interviews, and secure a great job. For more information, visit www.pongoresume.com.
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Twitter: chefshane
says:
I have been outside of our Western world a few years too many, but the reality is that people and companies do discriminate, every minute of every day.
I have recently been looking for a position internationally and 95 of employers I have responded to require a CV and a current photo.
Maybe this advice just applies in the litigious societies such as UK, US, Australia where we like to believe that judging people unequally is buried in our distant past. LOL.
It’s interesting that your photo is at the base of the article too. Using the same logic, the article should be judged on its merits, however placing your photograph on it allows people to alter their opinion of its context and content based on their perception of you in the image.
I believe a photograph personalises us and allows others to see us, understand us a little and form a connection – or otherwise.
If I don’t get a job because they don’t like what I look like – I consider myself happy that I am not working for that person or company. Their loss, not mine.
Just my opinion.
Thought-provoking article. Thanks.
Twitter: theresumechick
says:
Great article Julie.
Why anyone would include a picture on a resume (aside from the valid reasons you pointed out), I do not understand. There are better ways of landing the job without being subject to discrimination or other forms of judgment. Your resume and cover letter should be good enough to stand on their own, even without visual effects!
Karen, The Resume Chick (on Google or Twitter for questions, comments or violent reactions)
@Chef Shane
Great comment. And I totally agree with you! Your point about my photo at the end of the post is excellent. Seeing a photo DOES make us rearrange our perceptions to fit the visual information — A hiring manager, upon seeing a candidate’s photo, might think, “Oh, this person is older than I thought,” or “What an ugly tie,” or “This kid looks like a 12-year-old!” It’s not fair, but it’s reality
Thanks!
-Julie
Thanks, ResumeChick!
Twitter: interviewIQ
says:
Great post. I am with you for no photos on resumes, in Australia. We’re not used to seeing them and are drawn to the unexpected on the photo, like a strange tie/haircut etc. Yet I agree with Shane, some countries like them. Sometimes you can use them to make you stand out. And yes we have our photos all over the web, Twitter, LinkedIn and the like so it does seem bizarre that we say its a good thing to personalise the web, but not a piece of paper.
Thanks, Karalyn. Good to know Australia has the same funny rules. You’re right that it’s bizarre… but for now, that’s the way we play the game.
Thanks for this article. I did use a photo on my resume, and I always heard it’s a good thing and I just got used to having it (in my country a great majority of people actually place a photograph). Nevertheless, I sent my CV over to a friend which lives in other EU country and she was surprised and said she have seen many CV’s at the company she works for and never seen a single picture. So I googled it and realised it’s pointless, takes extra space and I actually don’t want to be judged by my look.