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Should You Put a Photo on Your CV?

Follow the place you are applying to. In the US, Canada, the UK, Ireland and Australia, the usual advice is to leave the photo off. In Vietnam and much of Asia, and in parts of Europe, a photo is common. If the job ad asks for one, include it. If it says not to, leave it off. If you can't tell, look at what that employer normally expects.

The usual habits by region

These are general habits, drawn from common practice and not from any single rule. They shift over time and differ between firms, so treat them as a starting point.

• United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Ireland: usually no photo. Employers there often prefer not to see one, because they try to keep early screening free of anything that could suggest bias.
• Australia and New Zealand: usually no photo, except for roles where appearance is part of the work, such as acting or modelling.
• Germany, Austria, Switzerland: a photo has long been common, though it is generally not required and some applicants now leave it off.
• France, Spain, Italy and much of southern and eastern Europe: often seen, and rarely a problem either way.
• Netherlands and the Nordic countries: mixed. Many applicants include one, and many don't.
• Vietnam: common, especially at Vietnamese companies. Multinational firms vary, and some follow the habits of their head office.
• China, Japan, South Korea and much of Southeast Asia: long common. The traditional Japanese résumé form has a space for one. South Korea has rules limiting what many employers may ask for, so check the ad.
• The Middle East: commonly included, especially in the Gulf.

Rules on fair hiring differ by country, and this is general guidance rather than legal advice. If you need certainty for a country, check its official labour authority.

When the country doesn't settle it

Sometimes the employer matters more than the country. Ask yourself these questions:

• Does the ad or the application form ask for or forbid a photo? That decides it.
• Is this a multinational? Its head office's norms may apply. A US firm's office abroad may prefer no photo.
• Does the role depend on face-to-face contact, such as hotel reception, flight crew, or front-of-house work? A photo is more often expected, sometimes as a separate file.
• What do people in this field do? Look at a few profiles of people who already work there.

If you still can't decide, leave it off when applying to Western English-speaking countries and include it when applying within Vietnam or East Asia. You can always send a photo if someone asks for one. Don't feel you have to use one to be taken seriously.

What makes a good CV photo

If you do use one, it should look like you on an ordinary good day, so that the person who meets you recognises you. A phone camera is fine with good light.

• Wear what you would wear to the interview for this job.
• Look at the camera, with a relaxed, natural expression.
• Use a photo from the past couple of years.
• Keep the file sharp but small, so that your PDF stays easy to send.

Details people forget

• Put it at the top, near your name. It shouldn't take space from your experience.
• If you remove a photo, check the layout. The space should close up and leave no gap.
• Keep two versions of your CV if you apply in different countries, one with a photo and one without.
• A paper application may have its own rule. Vietnamese employers sometimes ask for 3x4 or 4x6 ID photos in the application pack, even if your CV has no photo.
• A photo can reveal your age, ethnicity or religion. It's reasonable to weigh that and choose not to include one when you have the choice.