Photos on CVs – A picture paints a thousand words!
With thousands of memes currently being created based on the faces of Johnny Depp and Amber Heard (I am not even going to wade into this but some of those memes are great!) I felt it might be relevant to discuss and debate photos, specifically those of ourselves on our own CV. If I had a dollar for every time a friend has asked if they should include a photo on their CV I would, well, probably not be working in HR (or would be working remotely from my holiday home!).
So, is "a picture worth a thousand words" in reality or is it irrelevant and somewhat naff to include a photograph on your CV? Is it worth more than a thousand words and perhaps worth including to secure your perfect job? Will it help or will it hinder and is it expected? It is certainly a polarising topic (and one which my colleagues and I have “discussed” [read: argued] about a length).
See, I like the way I look (some days more than others) and I’ve personally never felt my looks have hindered me (or not that I am aware of or particularly bothered by). I certainly do not feel I can “hide” the way I look as my role is very client facing and I interact with people every day be it in person or via zoom (with camera on!). My gender could be seen as “suitable” in HR. Let’s face it, women are much more suited to HR due to our high levels of empathy (no unconscious bias at play there!). Not necessarily true at all, but we females do tend to be the majority in HR. So certainly, for me, I have inserted a suitable photo on my CV for some roles where I felt it would help me.
First Impressions
Recruiters within our business can review anything from 15 to 100s of applications per day for any variety of roles we are working on for our clients. The first stage of any screening process is a brief scan of a CV and cover letter. This “scan” may take around 30 seconds and is really to get a brief overview of the candidates’ skills and see if they can ascertain quickly if said candidate has the required elements of the role (as opposed to the “nice to haves”). A photograph on your CV could be both a help or a hindrance in this process. It may distract from your key skills if it is inappropriate or polarising in any way.
Recruiters in our team have said a photo can be a great identifier and helps them remember a candidate if they are personally more of a “visual” learner. It is a marker and one which can stay with them when recalling any candidates they have come across previously but maybe not spoken to yet or who had applied for other roles previously.
Is it relevant?
For me, the question is always "is my personal appearance relevant to this position?" Some roles certainly demand a higher level of presentation, a certain “look” to perhaps match the brand or the style of the brand and certainly, those roles which are seen as the “face” of the brand could arguably require a better brand fit. Certain industries have an expectation that applications for frontline roles such as media, airlines and hotels or hotel reception may expect photographs on CVs.
For these roles, some element of presentation will always form part of the recruitment screening…whether we like it or not. That may be via video cover letters or during the first interview (can’t hide ourselves in those forums). On the other hand, internally focused roles which are more about technical skills and less about customer interaction probably do not require a candidate to display themselves as part of the initial screening process and it’s not as relevant at the later screening stages – beyond the standard expectation of tidy and professional.
If you are uncomfortable with using a photo on your CV, I can understand that and it’s not (and should never be) a requirement, but it may be worth asking yourself why? Why are you comfortable sharing your image (if you are) in more public forums (Linkedin, social media) but not on a more private/confidential document such as your CV?
Candidate traction
In a LinkedIn study, researchers found (using eye-tracking software) that recruiters spent 19 per cent of their time looking at a person's photo. LinkedIn's own statistics show that profiles with a photo receive 21 times more profile views and 9 times more connection requests. If you are a job seeker this is massive and certainly worth considering. After all, most of the time if you are seeking work then your Linkedin profile is a key element of this (or it should be).
It is important to note that not just any photo should adorn your well-honed, beautifully tuned CV. Any photo you “put out there” to represent you (be it on a CV or LinkedIn profile, or indeed anywhere, in my view) should be professional and truly represent yourself. That doesn’t mean it has to be boring or overly posed. What I would say (and this is from experience) is that a photograph of you socialising, posed in a bathroom, a selfie, a group shot or one where it would cause the viewer to “judge” you unfairly is certainly not recommended.
What is a "good" photo for my CV?
If you do include a photo in your CV, how can it be done in a way that adds value to your application and “sells” you as a person, rather than distracts from your credentials? I like to call the ideal picture the professional “happy” photo. Head and shoulders, smiling naturally, good lighting, a tidy and somewhat professional outfit and you are all done.
I don’t feel there is any need to engage professional photographers for your CV or Linkedin profile (especially today, when phone cameras are so great). In fact, some of the worst CV photos I have seen are those that are “professionally posed” and distracting due to the level of “touch-ups” or filters that have been used. Been to a special occasion recently or had any neutral photos taken? These would be ideal. Remember, it should look like you (maybe a very polished version of you) so things like filters or modifying images are not ideal.
Ultimately the most important thing to remember if you choose to add a photo to your CV is to be true to yourself and to be yourself. With the amazing technology available in digital photography via photoshop and various apps on our phones it can be tempting to “beautify” images of ourselves. If your professional headshot is entirely different than what you actually look like IRL (in real life), then there is a problem and it’s safe to assume it is probably not a suitable photo. Doctoring photos can really send the message that you are insecure or uncomfortable in yourself or worse still, comfortable with deception. That is likely to do much more damage than a few wrinkles or laugh lines.
There is no escaping that photos can evoke emotional responses that have little to do with people’s skills and abilities. But remember, they can also be used to your advantage – make you memorable, make recruiters view and spend more time on your profile, and assure recruiters you are professional and “on brand” as well as confident and comfortable in yourself. In this ever “social” world it’s hard to escape images of us being on the internet and it may be somewhat delusional to think some recruiters or employers will not be (sometimes) “googling” you, regardless.
Have a think about the image you wish to project, the role you are applying for and the relevance of your “image” for this role. Most importantly consider who you are and what you want to share about yourself in a visual way and make the choice you are comfortable with. Remember your CV is a marketing tool for you to get an interview so do what feels right for you and will put you in the best place to secure that interview!
