Updated September 26, 2026.
In short: in the United States, Canada, the UK, Ireland and Australia, don't put a picture on your resume. Employers there avoid photos because they reveal characteristics like race, sex and age that can't legally be used in hiring decisions; the US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission says employers "should not ask for a photograph of an applicant," and that if a photo is needed for identification it can be obtained after a job offer is made and accepted (EEOC). Photos are still common in parts of continental Europe, the Middle East and Asia, and a headshot is expected for acting and modeling.
Should you put a picture on your resume?
| Where you're applying | Photo? |
|---|---|
| United States | No |
| Canada | No |
| United Kingdom and Ireland | No |
| Australia and New Zealand | No |
| Germany, Austria, Switzerland | Optional; still common, but less expected than it used to be |
| France, Belgium, Spain, Italy, Portugal | Optional; fairly common |
| Netherlands, Nordic countries | Optional; many applicants skip it |
| Middle East (e.g., UAE, Saudi Arabia) | Commonly included |
| China, Japan, South Korea | Commonly included; Japanese *rirekisho* forms have a photo box |
| Acting, modeling, some on-camera roles (anywhere) | Yes — a separate headshot, not a photo on the resume |
Country conventions are general tendencies and shift over time; when a posting or employer's application form says what it wants, follow that.
Why don't US employers want photos on resumes?
Because it creates risk for them. US federal law prohibits employment discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age (40 or older), disability or genetic information (EEOC). A photo shows several of those characteristics at once. Many US recruiters therefore prefer resumes without photos, to avoid any appearance of bias. The photo also takes space that could hold experience.
Can a photo hurt your resume with applicant tracking systems?
It can create formatting problems. Images, text boxes and two-column headers built around a photo are harder for some parsers to read, and the space often pushes your name and contact details into an image or column the system skips. If you are applying through an online system, a plain single-column header is safer. Our guide to how ATS systems actually work covers the formatting that parses cleanly, and you can check your own file with the free ATS resume checker.
When should you include a photo?
- The employer or application form asks for one — follow the instruction.
- You are applying in a country where photos are the norm and the local version of the resume (usually called a CV) includes one. See CV vs resume for how the documents differ.
- Acting, modeling, presenting and some hospitality roles — send a professional headshot as a separate file unless asked to include it.
How do you choose a resume photo if you need one?
- Recent, professional headshot — head and shoulders, facing the camera
- Neutral, uncluttered background; good even lighting
- Clothing you'd wear to the interview
- Friendly, natural expression
- Small — roughly passport-photo size — in the top corner of the first page
- No selfies, group shots cropped down, filters, sunglasses or vacation photos
Where can you show your face instead?
On LinkedIn. Recruiters in the US routinely look at LinkedIn profiles, and a profile photo is normal there. Put your LinkedIn URL in your resume header and keep the photo on the profile — our LinkedIn profile photo tips cover what works. What else to leave out of a US header (such as your full street address) is in should you put your address on your resume.
Frequently asked questions
Is it illegal to put a picture on your resume in the US?
No. It is legal for you to include one; it's just not recommended, because employers are advised not to request photos and many prefer not to see them.
Should I put a picture on my resume for a customer-facing job?
Not in the US, UK or Canada — even for sales, hospitality or reception roles. Appearance-based roles like acting and modeling are the exception.
Do resume templates with photos look more professional?
Not to US recruiters. Templates with a photo circle are designed for markets where photos are standard. Use a clean, text-only template for US applications.
What about a photo on a European CV?
In many European countries a photo is optional. When in doubt, check CVs from people already working at employers in that country, or ask the recruiter.
Should I include a photo if I'm applying remotely to a US company from abroad?
No. Follow the conventions of the employer's country, not your own.