Please, No Pics!

A few months ago, a dear friend asked me to review her resume. She had just left her company and after a two week breather, decided it was time to start job searching. I was excited to read and learn about her most recent accomplishments. I knew she had a large staff, had completed a ton of projects and really contributed to the recent success of the organization. So, with much interest and enthusiasm, I opened her email and clicked on the attachment. I was aghast when I saw – not a list of her achievements or accolades but a mugshot in the top right hand corner! I immediately called and emphatically explained headshots are good at Sears, when you’re an actor BUT not when you’re a Sr. SVP of Marketing.

Remember Legally Blonde? Sure it was funny when Elle Woods gave her resume to Callahan on scented pink paper but that’s Hollywood! In the real world, in my world, scented pink paper, headshots or an extensive list of your hobbies should probably be omitted unless the employer asks for these things.

As hard as we try, there’s so much bias in hiring. I feel adding a headshot makes it worse. Recruiters, hiring managers and HR are humans after all (until AI takes over but that's another post!) and they will make determinations about you based on the picture staring back at them. So, leave it off! This is just my opinion but let your education & experience speak louder than your neatly combed hair and well applied lip gloss. And, let’s not forget to mention the boring gray, black or blue power suits from the 80’s that are always accompanied.

Many are going to argue with me and that's OK. If you feel compelled and want to publish a photo, at least have it be in your favorite place in clothes that best represent you!

As always, happy job hunting.