The inclusion of a photograph on a professional resume has been a highly debated topic in the resume writing world. Many job seekers believe that with the integration of social media, it should be acceptable to add in a photo to create a more personable approach to help increase the probability of landing a job. Instead, including a headshot can cause more harm than good during your job search.
Including a Photo Causes Discrimination
In reality, by including a photo, you are potentially subjecting yourself to discrimination before the body of the resume is taken into consideration. No matter how flattering a photo may be, the photo inevitably takes away attention from your work experiences and can give away important details about yourself. Remember, the purpose of a resume is to sell your work experiences and how your skill set could be beneficial for the company you are applying to.
In addition to diverting attention, placing your photo on your professional resume has the potential to expose you to favoritism, bias, sexism, and ageism. Though you may have more than enough experience for a position, you could “look too young”, and be dismissed as a possible candidate.
Recruiters and Hiring Managers Can Search For You On Social Media
Unless you are applying for a position that directly correlates with your looks, it is important to avoid any instances which would diminish your chances of speaking directly with the recruiter. Sell your accomplishments and abilities and, if you choose, attach a link to your LinkedIn for the hiring manager to peruse after they have had a chance to thoroughly look through your skills set and previous work experiences.
By including your LinkedIn link instead of your photo directly onto the resume, the hiring manager has an opportunity to look through your information before they make any judgments about your appearance.