Quite frequently I will receive a CV from inquirers with a photograph of themselves printed at the top of the front or first page. Usually it is a pleasant head and shoulders picture. It is quite common among European countries and is a style that is well accepted there.
Even more frequently I am asked “should I put a picture on my CV?” I find this a hard question to answer, not because I don’t have a view on the matter but because it’s a very personal thing and some people just like to include it.
I believe that the culture here in this country is such that a picture is rarely included. We are more inclined to print a QR code where a quick scan will bring the reader to your Facebook or other private pages. There the idea of a picture is far more acceptable. If your not sure try it, there are lots free QR code generator websites that you can use.
So back to the picture idea and again my view is very definitely no. No picture ever, unless it is specifically asked for or necessary for the type of work under consideration. And even then it’s doubtful.
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The saying goes – ‘a picture says a thousand words’ – and it does.
Nothing on your CV will evoke a quicker reaction/decision than a picture. The reader will look and in one split second will like or dislike what they see. They will muse to themselves, ‘no……. don’t like to look of her/him’. After that what you have written on your CV won’t even get a glance. The decision will be made based on your looks.
No matter what kind of a picture you attach, good, bad or indifferent it won’t give you any advantage
If you are blessed with good looks and appear like you just stepped off the catwalk, the view will be ‘doesn’t she just fancy herself sticking her picture on the front page’ ‘she’s probably as conceited as could find’ – Decision made. The same goes if you’re male.
If on the other hand you have the looks that only a Mother could love, then you’re in the same boat. Cruel but yes it happens.
With a picture on your CV, I believe you are asking for trouble. No matter what you look like your application will be viewed and decided upon with little or no recourse to the very important career information written on your CV.
It’s just my view, others may argue but I won’t. It’s very personal and the decision is yours. Just don’t!
Good Luck!
Colm Cavey has over 24 years’ experience in helping people change careers and find the kind of job they want. Colm can review your CV, help you organise your job hunt and provide one to one interview and presentation coaching or all of those elements together in a full Career Change programme. To find out more about Colm you can contact him directly on 086-3017207 or via his company Professional Career Consulting