Should You Put Your Photo on a Resume

Should You Put Your Photo on a Resume Should You Put Your Photo on a Resume 4In today’s tough job market, you need anything to make your resume stand out from the rest. Some cutting-edge job seekers are actually adding  photos on a resume in an attempt to make their applications more memorable. While some experts think this is a savvy strategy, others consider putting your photo on a resume to be a poor career move. Below, we look at both the positive and negative aspects of putting your photo on a resume. Here are some positive and negatives aspects to placing your photo on a resume. The Positives: It makes you easier to remember. From Pinterest to Facebook (and even LinkedIn), we all know that we live in a visually driven world. And as such, it’s easier to equate a face with a name. Without a photo, your name (unless it’s unusual) won’t stay long in the mind of a hiring manager. But attaching a photo can help you become more memorable. It personalizes your application. At any given time, there may be piles of resumes on a hiring manager’s desk. Beyond using pretty- and professional- resume paper, a clear photo can help make you more than just your previous workplace accomplishments. It shows that there’s a real person behind all the accolades. It may be necessary. If you’re in an industry that requires applications be accompanied by a photo (say, in the modeling or acting fields), then you’ll need to include a photo. In these instances, not sending a photo is actually worse. It can show off your skills. Let’s say you’re applying to be a florist. Having a professional photo (with a gorgeous floral arrangement behind you that you created) can serve as a physical representation of your workplace skills. The Negatives: It may make your resume illegible. Some companies use scanners and applicant tracking systems to input info from your resume into a mega database. Adding your photo to your resume might make it hard to read or even cause the machine to reject your resume. A super busy potential boss may not have the time to input the info, and as such, your resume might get tossed. It can cause discrimination. Sure, employers aren’t supposed to discriminate against an applicant based on factors such as age, race, gender, weight, sexual orientation, or disability. But just because they shouldn’t doesn’t mean that they won’t do it. Not having your photo on a resume removes the possibility that you might be discriminated against based on factors about you. If you had your photo on your resume and an employer doesn’t interview you, it can open a can of worms- and a potential lawsuit- for an employer. That’s why some companies will reject a resume with photos outright in order to avoid problems and litigation. It can be distracting. You’re a fairly attractive individual, so putting a professional photo on a resume is no biggie, right? Well, maybe yes and maybe no. Since humans are visual creatures, more than likely a recruiter is going to look at- and scrutinize- your photo first before your workplace skills. And while you might think being good-looking can help you land a job, in some cases, it can hurt you instead. Adding a photo to your resume might impact your application negatively and not let your talents and accomplishments shine through had you not included an image. It’s completely up to each individual job seeker if he or she chooses to include a photo on a resume. After all, in some countries, it’s mandatory to include one. But while there are many negatives to posting a pic, there are also positive ones. So take the time to figure out if it’s in your best job-seeking interest to have your photo on your resume. Readers, do you have your photo on a resume? Do you think having a pic can help or hurt you? Let us know your thoughts (and experiences!) in the comments section below!