Current feelings on resume headshots?

keralinn·Nov 14, 2022

Posted in:Advice Job Hunting Career Growth

Hi all,

I am redesigning my digital resume and I have heard conflicting opinions on the inclusion of headshots in your resume. I am currently redesigning the resume to be more project-focused, as I'm aiming for a software developer role, and my work experience doesn't showcase those skills I'm gaining from my Computer Science degree.

Thoughts?

Thanks in advance!

Shanell196·Nov 14, 2022

Maybe this is a silly question, but is this for a website or a digital resume that you are submitting when applying for a job, or for a paper resume?

keralinn·Nov 14, 2022

Hi Shanell! Not a silly question at all! I'm going for a digital resume. If I were going to print it I would remove any headshots.Thank you for your response!

Shanell196·Nov 15, 2022

Got it! I think I’d probably leave it off. What are you thinking of as the pros of having a headshot? I’m an engineer but I haven’t done a job search in 5+ years.

keralinn·Nov 17, 2022

Mostly I was thinking 2 things: connects a face to the name, and probably 70% of the resume templates I was looking at included a spot for it lol. But seems like the general consensus is no, which is fine!Thank you for your response!

LucyN·Nov 15, 2022

Definitely leave it off - it’s an open door for bias based on so many factors…

keralinn·Nov 17, 2022

That's definitely one of the cons I was thinking of! Thanks for your response!

maggiewolff·Nov 15, 2022

Depends on the country, where are you located? In the US, it is very uncommon to include a headshot on a resume and as LucyN pointed out, it can open the door to bias, unconscious or otherwise. But on the flip side, most folks have a photo on their LinkedIn profile and it's easy enough to look those up (often it's linked from your resume).

keralinn·Nov 17, 2022

I'm in the US, and at least 70% of the resume templates I was looking at had a spot for a headshot, so I wasn't certain if that was the 'new thing' or not. Thank you for your response!

NikkiAdamson·Nov 16, 2022

Recruiter here - I'd take it off. And use that space to showcase so many of your other highlights. I esp. like a 2 sentence header sharing exactly what you're looking for and will bring to that role

keralinn·Nov 17, 2022

Thank you Nikki! If I may ask, if one doesn't have an exact idea of what they are looking for, would you mention that in the 2 sentence header? Or would you remove the header altogether?Thanks for your response!

NikkiAdamson·Nov 18, 2022

I'd tailor it to each role you apply for. Show them you're in the "stack" for a reason. TBH - most applicants aren't competing against the "top" folks to get to the interview stage with their resumes - often you're competing against the spam that's in there. For example - I often see folks with zero of the required experience (ie - someone who has been a flight attendant their whole career) in the application pile for roles that require 4+ years of experience for something (ie - Sr. Engineering role that require multiple years of production level code). Use that header to show why you're there. Good luck!

keralinn·Nov 21, 2022

Thank you Nikki!! I really appreciate the advice!