Should You Put a Picture on a Resume in 2025?

Q: What kind of industries expect a photo on a resume?

Industries like modeling , acting, and public relations often expect photos as part of the application to evaluate personal branding or appearance. In international markets, some countries also expect photos for most job roles due to cultural norms. If you’re unsure whether a photo is required, research the specific expectations of your industry and location.

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Table of contents

Should You Put a Picture on Your Resume?
The Pros and Cons of Having a Picture on Your Resume
When Is It Appropriate to Include a Picture?
Resume Examples With and Without a Picture
What Are Alternatives to Adding a Picture?
Key Tips and Mistakes to Avoid
Key Takeaways
Final Thoughts
FAQ

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Including a picture on your resume is a topic that sparks curiosity and confusion for many job seekers. Some believe a photo can make their application more personal and memorable, while others worry it might create bias or go against professional norms.

Resume standards are continually evolving, making it crucial to understand whether adding a picture will help or hurt your chances.

Here's what you'll find in this article:

The pros and cons of including a picture on your resume.
When it's appropriate to include a photo, and when it's not.
Alternatives to adding a picture.
Tips to make your resume stand out without a photo.

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Should You Put a Picture on Your Resume?

The answer depends on various factors, including your industry, the country where you're applying, and the expectations of hiring managers.

However, if you're applying for a job in the United States, the answer is generally no: You should not put a picture on your resume unless it is for a very specific reason.

Let's explore what those reasons are, along with other factors to consider when making this decision. That way, you can have a robust understanding of how to make a great resume for your next job.

The Pros and Cons of Having a Picture on Your Resume

Including a picture on your resume can influence how potential employers perceive your application. While it might seem like a small addition, it carries both advantages and drawbacks.

Pros of including a picture on a resume

Personalizes your application: Adding a picture can make your resume feel more personal, helping you stand out among a sea of text-based applications. It gives hiring managers a face to connect with your qualifications.

Helps build a visual connection with employers: A professional photo can create an instant sense of familiarity and make you more memorable, especially in industries that value personal branding.

May be common in specific industries: In creative fields like modeling, acting, or public relations, a picture is often expected as part of the application. In these cases, a photo can showcase your suitability for the role.

Cons of including a picture on a resume

Potential for bias or discrimination: Including a photo can unintentionally lead to bias, as employers may form opinions based on appearance rather than qualifications. Many organizations aim to prevent this by discouraging photos on resumes.

Might not align with industry norms: In many industries and countries, adding a picture is considered unprofessional and may even disqualify your application, as it suggests a lack of awareness about resume expectations.

Takes up valuable space: A picture consumes space that could be better used to highlight your skills, experience, and achievements — elements that ultimately matter more to hiring managers.

While there are some benefits to including a picture on your resume, you can see it also has disadvantages that must be addressed.

So, when should you include a picture of yourself on your resume, and when should you not? That devilish answer lies in the details of circumstance.

When Is It Appropriate to Include a Picture?

Whether or not to include a picture on your resume largely depends on the context. The two questions you need to ask yourself are:

What are the expectations of the country?
What are the expectations of the industry?

From here you can get a general idea if your resume's design should include a photo of yourself.

Situations where photos are expected

Specific countries: In certain countries, photos are a common feature on resumes (or CVs). This includes much of Europe, where it is almost always expected in Austria, Germany, and Spain, while highly common in other places such as France, Greece, and Poland. It is also expected in other places around the world like China and Japan. This means you need to check the norms of the country when applying for a job.

Creative industries: If you're applying for a role where your appearance or personal branding plays a part in your qualifications, such as modeling or acting, a professional photo is often required, even in the United States. Similarly, jobs in public-facing roles, like public relations, may expect a photo to reinforce your personal brand.

Situations where photos should be avoided

Applying in the U.S. or other countries where photos are discouraged: In the U.S., Canada, and the U.K., including a photo is generally not recommended. Many companies have strict policies against considering appearance in hiring decisions to avoid discrimination claims. Also, applicant tracking systems (ATS) typically don't process photos.

Corporate roles where qualifications and skills take priority: For professional roles in industries such as finance, engineering, or IT, hiring managers prioritize your skills, experience, and accomplishments. Adding a picture may distract from these crucial qualifications and could come across as unprofessional.

Pro tip

If you are not sure whether your resume with a picture is ATS-friendly, then use our ATS Resume Checker to determine its compatibility.

Resume Examples With and Without a Picture

Example of resume with a picture

Resume example teacher

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Example of resume without a picture

Resume example pastry chef

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What Are Alternatives to Adding a Picture?

What happens if you need to write a resume without a photo but still want to find ways to make it unique?

Luckily, there are options that you can consider.

Use LinkedIn or a professional portfolio to share a photo: This approach allows employers to see your photo in a setting where it's more appropriate and expected. Make sure the picture is high-quality, professional, and consistent with your personal brand.

Add personality through a strong personal summary or objective statement: Instead of relying on a picture to showcase your individuality, let your words do the work. A compelling summary or objective statement at the top of your resume can convey your professionalism, enthusiasm, and unique qualifications. Focus on highlighting your achievements, career goals, and what makes you a great fit for the role.

These options allow you to keep your resume within the standards of the industry and country while still providing you with a way to stand out from other applicants.

Key Tips and Mistakes to Avoid

Whether or not you choose to put a picture of yourself on your resume, make sure the end result is the same. You want a high-quality resume that engages and impresses hiring managers.

This can be achieved by being mindful of certain best practices and avoiding common pitfalls.

Tips for a professional and eye-catching resume

Focus on an engaging design: Use clean formatting, readable fonts, and consistent spacing to create a professional and visually appealing resume. Consider using a modern template that emphasizes your key qualifications without unnecessary distractions.

Highlight achievements and quantifiable results: Let your accomplishments speak for themselves. Use bullet points to showcase measurable results, such as "Increased sales by 20% within six months" or "Streamlined workflows to reduce processing time by 15%."

Include a link to a professional online profile: Add links to your LinkedIn profile or an online portfolio where hiring managers can learn more about you. This not only provides a space for a professional headshot if necessary but also highlights additional qualifications, such as recommendations or work samples.

Mistakes to avoid

Adding a low-quality or unprofessional photo: If you choose to include a photo on LinkedIn or a portfolio, make sure it is high-quality, professional, and appropriately styled for your industry.

Ignoring cultural or industry norms: Before considering a photo in any context, research the expectations for resumes in your target country or field. Including a photo in the wrong setting can appear uninformed or unprofessional.

Overcrowding your resume design: Avoid forcing unnecessary elements, such as a photo, into your layout. Use the space wisely to highlight your job history and skills. A clutter-free, well-organized resume is always more appealing to hiring managers.

Key Takeaways

Understand the context:

The decision to add a picture depends on the expectations of your industry and the country where you're applying. For example, photos are common in Europe and specific creative industries like entertainment but discouraged in the U.S., Canada, and the U.K.
Evaluate the pros and cons:

While a picture can personalize your application and help you stand out, it may also lead to bias or take up valuable space that could be better used to highlight your skills and achievements.
Use alternatives to showcase your personality:

Instead of including a photo, link to your LinkedIn profile or online portfolio where a picture is more appropriate. Additionally, a strong personal summary can highlight your individuality and professionalism.
Focus on resume design and content:

Craft a professional, eye-catching layout and emphasize quantifiable achievements to stand out. Avoid overcrowding your resume or forcing unnecessary elements like photos into the design.
Avoid common pitfalls:

Never use low-quality or unprofessional photos, ignore cultural or industry norms, or clutter your resume with elements that detract from its readability.
Make the most of your space:

Use your resume to focus on what truly matters — your qualifications, experience, and accomplishments. Let your skills and achievements leave a lasting impression on hiring managers.

Final Thoughts

Deciding whether to include a picture on your resume comes down to understanding the expectations of your industry, the norms of the country where you're applying, and the value a photo might bring to your application.

While a picture can personalize your resume and make it memorable, it's often best to leave it out in favor of focusing on your qualifications, achievements, and skills.

In most cases, a professional and well-structured resume will impress hiring managers more than a photo ever could. Instead of adding a picture, consider using alternatives like linking to your LinkedIn profile or crafting a strong profile to showcase your personality and professionalism.

FAQ

Last Updated: January 28, 2025

Including a photo on your resume depends on the country where you're applying. In many European and Asian countries, like Germany, Spain, and Japan, photos are common and often expected as part of the application process. However, in the U.S., U.K., and Canada, photos are discouraged due to anti-discrimination laws. To avoid harming your chances, research the cultural and professional norms of the country before making a decision.

Yes, as long as your LinkedIn photo is professional and high-quality. It should show you in business attire with good lighting and a clean background. Using a consistent photo across platforms, like LinkedIn or an online portfolio, helps reinforce your personal brand and ensures a polished impression. Avoid casual or overly edited photos, as they could detract from your credibility.

Industries like modeling, acting, and public relations often expect photos as part of the application to evaluate personal branding or appearance. In international markets, some countries also expect photos for most job roles due to cultural norms. If you're unsure whether a photo is required, research the specific expectations of your industry and location.

In countries like the U.S. and Canada, anti-discrimination laws discourage including photos on resumes to ensure hiring decisions are based on skills and qualifications. Many companies avoid resumes with photos for legal reasons and to reduce the risk of bias. If you're applying in a region where these laws apply, it's safer to avoid including a photo and focus on your professional qualifications instead.

Conor is a writer for Resume Now. He has over five years of professional writing experience and professional development training. Conor has written on a range of career development topics.