As a Professional Resume Writer, I hear many clients say “I’m wondering why I shouldn’t include my picture on my resume. I’ve seen many resumes with photos, and I thought it would make mine stand out.”
Adding your picture to your resume is a picture-perfect mistake. And here’s why you shouldn’t include your picture on your resume:
➡️POTENTIAL BIAS
Including a picture on your resume can create the potential for unconscious bias from recruiters and hiring managers. They may make assumptions about your age, ethnicity, or other personal characteristics that have nothing to do with your qualifications for the job.
➡️UNPROFESSIONAL
A resume is a professional document that should focus on your skills, experience, and achievements. Including a picture can make your resume appear less professional and distract from the content.
➡️SPACE-WASTING
A picture takes up valuable space on your resume that could be better used to highlight your qualifications and accomplishments. Every word and bullet point on your resume should have a purpose, and a picture doesn’t add anything of value. Your resume should be all about your skills and not your selfie.
➡️UNNECESSARY & IRRELEVANT
In most industries and professions, your appearance has no bearing on your ability to do the job. Unless you are applying for a modeling or acting job, there is no reason to include a picture. Along with details such as your nationality, marital status, political or religious beliefs, photos of yourself should not be added to your resume.
➡️AGAINST ANTI-DISCRIMINATORY POLICIES
In some countries, including a picture on your resume is illegal due to anti-discrimination laws. As most companies have strictly adopted anti-discrimination policies, it is not recommended even in countries where it is not illegal to have a picture. Use a picture only in countries like UAE or Germany where it is mandated.
➡️NOT ATS FRIENDLY
A majority of large & mid-sized companies use applicant tracking systems to manage and filter resumes. Photos on your resume or any image could confuse ATSs that are capable of only reading text. Your resume won’t be filtered and ranked up for recruiters to see.
Resumes should be a professional insight into your skills and capabilities to execute and deliver on a job task. A visual representation of what you look like, whether it’s already available online or not, adds little value to your job application, and can lead to bias that’s not appropriate or reflective of what you can contribute in a work environment. Instead, focus on writing a powerful resume and cover letter that speaks volumes about your career ambitions. This will help you to explain why you’re an ideal candidate for the role rather than a picture on your resume.
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