So you’ve got the perfect resume template, and it even includes a placeholder to insert your photo. With a professional headshot, your resume is sure to stand out, right?


Wrong.


I used to think that putting a headshot on my resume would showcase my creativity, attention to detail, and professionalism. Plus it would give hiring managers a sense of my personality. But as it turns out, putting your picture on your resume can actually work against you. Here’s why.

Including a headshot on your resume could introduce bias


Kelly Silva, a career coach with more than 20 years of experience in talent acquisition and recruitment, says that in Canada it isn’t customary to use a headshot on a resume. In fact, it can open the door to discrimination.


“Including a photo could inadvertently introduce bias into the recruitment process,” she says. “A headshot allows recruiters or hiring managers to judge the applicant on gender, ethnicity, age and personal appearance early in the process, before the applicant has had an opportunity to sell their knowledge, skills and abilities.”


Silva points out that bias doesn’t just affect candidates — it can have a negative impact on the company doing the hiring.


“Hiring a person based on their gender, ethnicity, age and personal appearance — and dismissing their knowledge, skills and abilities — could lead to mis-hiring, which in turn causes reduced productivity, loss or revenue and impacts the team dynamics.”


To mitigate bias and ensure a fair hiring process, hiring managers or recruiters may exclude resumes with headshots. Some companies are now using AI technology to screen resumes, and these systems can be designed to exclude resumes with photos.


“In Canada, companies are taking active steps in ensure fairness in the recruiting process,” says Silva, “placing a strong focus on promoting diversity, equity and inclusion as part of their values and hiring practices.”

Applicant tracking software might reject resumes with headshots


Applicant tracking software (ATS) flags resumes with images as non-compliant, especially if not formatted properly. So if your resume has a headshot, it could be rejected before it ever reaches human eyes.


“Images or headshots can cause issues for an ATS, as they are designed to parse text — not images,” Silva explains. “Some systems may reject the file, which hinders the applicant’s chances of having their resume shortlisted or even reviewed by a recruiter.”

When headshots are acceptable on your resume


There are some instances where your headshot may be not only encouraged, but mandatory.


“Headshots are common in industries such as acting, modeling or media where an individual’s appearance is important to the role,” says Silva.

Where to showcase your headshot



The best place for your headshot is on your LinkedIn profile, where it’s standard practice. Even if recruiters can’t accept a resume with your headshot, they will eventually check your profile. In fact, according to LinkedIn’s own research, members with a profile picture receive 21 times more profile views and up to 36 times more messages than those who don’t. And don’t forget to include your LinkedIn URL on your resume.


Finally, make sure your headshot is consistent across all your digital platforms. (Read my blog on how to format your headshot for every platform.) After you’ve invested in your beautiful new headshots, you’ll want to use them everywhere!