CVs are always a hot topic here at Creative Resource, but one of the questions we are asked most often is whether you should include your photo on your CV.
We have seen an increase in photos on submitted CVs over the past decade, and they are certainly something many of our team have strong feelings about.
Here are just a few quotes from a recent chat on the topic:
Hannah, Senior Consultant
“It is not essential to include a picture on your CV. Your appearance should not be part of an employer’s decision about your suitability for a role. “
Julie, Managing Director
“Photos on CVs? Hate ’em. There is absolutely no good reason for including your photograph. Ever. Full stop. Just don’t do it.
Forget developing your personal brand and remember that if an employer has a diversity and inclusion policy, someone will crop your photo off and you’ll just end up with a weird looking cv. “
Phil, Director
“I would always say don’t include a photo on your CV, as how you look has no bearing on your ability to perform the role, and you open yourself up to people (wrongly) making a judgement based on you due to how you look.”
Say no to CV photos
As you can see, that’s a resounding no from the Creative Resource team when it comes to including your photo on your CV. Potential employers should assess your CV based on your experience or qualifications, not your appearance. Including a photo on your CV leaves you open to unnecessary judgement or bias, and most recruiters will crop out your photo. On top of which, a photo is unnecessarily distracting, taking away the focus from your skills, attributes and experience.
There are a variety of ways to make your CV stand out, without including a photo and potentially ruling yourself out based on your appearance. We have been specialist recruiters for the Creative, Marketing, Digital and PR industries for over 30 years, so we think our A-Z of CV advice should be helpful.