Should I put my picture on my resume? No! 3 Reasons Your Headshot Doesn't Belong on Your Professional Resume
“Recruiters are going to see my bright, friendly smile and want to call me ASAP. I mean, how can they not, LOOK at me?”
Adding professional headshots and branded pictures to resumes have become a growing trend in recent years. Today’s modern resume is more likely to include a photo than resumes of the past, especially if you’re using a pre-designed template you downloaded from the internet.
Some reasons for job seekers adding snapshots of themselves to their resume include thinking they will appear more inviting, thinking it’ll make them stand out, and assuming the photo will build rapport with the recruiter or hiring manager reading it. They’ll get drawn into your eyes, admire your hair, and somehow be magnetically drawn to you like a moth to a flame.
How can they resist that confident grin or Zoolander-Esque smirk complete with the ultimate power pose in your best outfit?
It may seem like adding a polished image of yourself to your resume is the best idea to capture recruiters’ attention, but it’s not. There are many reasons why doing this is a bad idea which can lead to an increase in rejection and denials during your job search. Keep reading to learn why you should refrain from adding that perfect selfie or headshot of yourself to your resume.
VALUE MATTERS – LOOKS DON’T
Features and physical appearance are not why companies look to hire candidates. Their sole reason for posting the job you see on LinkedIn, Indeed, or CareerBuilder is because they need someone to DO something for them – no matter what they look like.
When writing or constructing your resume, you have to keep the purpose of it in mind. The goal of any resume should be to sell you and present you as the best candidate for open positions and roles. This means its content and the information included within it should aid in this goal. If the information is:
Not relevant
Not valuable
Not necessary
Leave it off. What matters most is if you can fulfill the responsibilities listed in the job description and if you have the skillset and capacity to do them. Your photo has nothing to do with any of the above. Value should be the primary focus of your resume.
What results have you brought to your previous roles?
How is the company or department in a better position now that you are leaving or once you left?
What did you accomplish and how was that a win for the company?
Your photo may be cute, pretty, or striking, but if they read the rest of your resume and don’t see the value in you, it won’t make a bit of difference.
3 REASONS YOU SHOULDN’T PUT YOUR PICTURE ON YOUR RESUME
Maybe you just found the cutest template on Canva or Etsy that has a space to insert your photo. Or perhaps you just finished writing your resume and it seems like importing your picture would be the cherry on top. But don’t do it! Here are 3 reasons why you shouldn’t put your picture on your resume.
DISCRIMINATION AND UNCONSCIOUS BIAS
There are laws that should prevent recruiters and hiring managers from rejecting a candidate based on their race, ethnicity, gender, and sexuality, but discrimination can and does still happen. This is not to say that you shouldn’t be proud of your melanin skin, wearing your kippah or hijab, having your hair in its naturally curly state, or your nose ring.
You should always be unapologetically and authentically yourself. However, the last thing you want is for any of the elements that make you unique to work against you – especially before you’re able to secure an interview. Recruiters should be interested in you based on your backbround and nothing else. You can avoid discrimination by leaving your picture off your resume.
IT CAN GIVE THE IMPRESSION YOU’RE RELYING ON YOUR LOOKS
Because adding your headshot loudly screams “look at me!”, it can come off as if you’re relying on your looks or appearance to get you the job rather than your skills. Countless studies and research have been conducted on “pretty privilege” in the workplace and how more attractive-looking professionals tend to have more successful careers and opportunities than those who are deemed less attractive or less desirable.
Even though adding your picture can show your confidence, it can send a different message to the person reading it. You don’t want someone calling you for an interview simply because you look good, and you don’t want to be rejected for not fitting into beauty standards either.
IMAGES AREN’T ALWAYS ATS-FRIENDLY
ATS Systems back in the day used to not be able to process certain things. While they have evolved to improve scanning efficiency and format compatibility, there are still some items that don’t filter well such as columns and tables and, you guessed it, pictures. You might assume adding your photo will increase your chances of landing interviews, but it could instead be the number one reason ATS systems reject them.
Adding images is okay, especially graphs and charts that illustrate your success or visualize your commitment to your industry or field, but they are risky. A best practice is to have a resume that is ATS-friendly, meaning it contains all text and no graphic elements. For more tips on how to get past the ATS system, read this blog post.
WHERE PHOTOS SHOULD GO INSTEAD
Don’t delete your headshot just because it can’t go on your resume! Instead, here’s where you should upload it:
LinkedIn – Use it as your profile picture. Here’s why you should start using LinkedIn ASAP if you aren’t already.
Instagram – Share it as a post and/or set it as your profile picture.
Facebook – Set it as your profile picture.
Personally branded website – Have a personal website? Include your headshot on the home page or on the “About Me” page.
·Zoom – Upload it to your Zoom profile so it displays when your camera is off.
Email – Have it embedded in your signature and/or set it as your profile/account image
Your Professional Bio – If you have a professional bio, you can include your picture on it.
In a world that is increasingly becoming more visual and more engaging, rules are constantly bending, shifting, and especially in the professional world – hence why pictures on resumes began trending in the first place. However, there are some that will remain as is for quite some time – including leaving pictures of yourself off your resume.