Should You Put a Picture on Your Resume in 2026?

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Short answer: no.

If you’re applying for most jobs in the US, the UK, or Canada, you shouldn’t put a photo on your resume.

There are a few exceptions (which we’ll cover below), but in general, employers don’t need to know what you look like to assess whether you’re qualified.

Reasons to avoid resume photos

The main reason to leave a photo off your resume is simple: hiring bias.

A photo immediately reveals personal details such as age, gender, ethnicity, and appearance. While hiring managers are legally required to avoid discrimination under laws like the Civil Rights Act in the U.S., unconscious bias can still influence decisions.

To reduce legal risk, many employers use applicant tracking systems to remove photos from applications before they reach a human reviewer.

When that happens, your headshot becomes wasted space that you could have used to highlight your skills and achievements.

Never put a photo on your resume to apply for these roles:

Most professional roles in North America, the UK, Australia, or New Zealand
Academic, healthcare, or government jobs

When you should include a photo (exceptions)

In most situations, I recommend leaving photos off your resume.

Putting a photo on your resume is never a requirement, and knowing your appearance can complicate the hiring process, particularly for employers in the public sector and large corporations.

That said, there are exceptions where including a headshot can help your job application stand out:

Include a photo on your resume only if:

The job is based in a country where resume photos are standard (e.g., parts of Europe, Asia, or South America)
You’re applying for an appearance-based role (acting, modeling, or on-camera presenting)
The position requires you to represent the company publicly (e.g., high-end retail, brand ambassador roles)

Resume photos are culturally expected in countries like:

Germany
France
Spain
Japan
Argentina

In these places, headshots are used to make applications more memorable (a face is easier to recall than a name) and to help employers assess professionalism and fit for the company culture.

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For roles in acting, modeling, and other performance-based careers, appearance is a core part of the job.

Casting directors need to evaluate whether your look fits the casting requirements, which is why actor resumes often include personal details like your height, eye color, and ethnicity.

Similarly, jobs such as brand ambassadors, spokespeople, presenters, or luxury retail roles often involve representing a company’s image. In these cases, a professional headshot is not a distraction but a practical addition to your resume.

How to take a professional resume photo (if you really need one)

If a photo is required for your application, getting it right is essential. A poor-quality image can quickly undermine your credibility. Below are the steps you should follow to get a suitable resume picture.

1. Dress professionally

Wear something appropriate for an interview in your industry.

Stick to solid, neutral colors as they photograph best and keep the focus on your face. Avoid busy patterns, logos, or bold colors.

Grooming matters, too:

Hair should be neat and out of your face
Facial hear should be presentable, not scruffy
Minimal accessories (remove unnecessary piercings)
Stick to light makeup (if worn)

2. Choose the right setup

Use soft, even lighting and a clean backdrop.

Natural light from a window works best. Position the light in front of you, not behind.

Position the camera at eye level
Frame the shot from the shoulders up
Look directly into the lens to project confidenceAim for a relaxed, friendly expression.

If smiling feels awkward, use your phone’s timer and burst mode to take several photos at once. This helps the process feel more natural and increases your chances of getting a usable shot.

3. Make quick, passport-quality edits using AI

You can make small adjustments — such as balancing lighting or removing a cluttered background — without needing professional photo editing skills.

Here’s an AI prompt you can use to refine your headshot:

Put this prompt in ChatGPT to instantly fix your resume photo

“Here is a headshot. Edit it so it is studio passport quality (e.g., balance the lighting). Do not change my appearance. The photo should be appropriate for a resume.”

Professional resume templates for photo applications

If you’re including a photo, use a template built for it. Picture resume templates keep the layout balanced and ensure the focus stays on your skills and experience.

Here are a few of my favorite resume templates that include space for a photo:

Use This Template

Paramount

Use This Template

Contemporary

Use This Template

New Age

Make a complete resume in minutes

Upload an optional headshot, answer a few simple questions about your skills and experience, and we’ll handle the rest.

Before submitting your application, double check whether a photo is appropriate. The employer will specify in the job description if they have strong preferences.

If you’re unsure, assume the employer would prefer a resume without a photo — it’s always safer. You can find free resume templates without photos online.

Here are some additional resources to help you write a resume that wins you an interview:

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Seb is a Certified Professional Resume Writer with 10 years of combined experience in career counseling and editorial work. With a MA in Communications from National Chengchi University (Taiwan) and a BA in East Asian Studies from the Autonomous University of Madrid (Spain), he helps job seekers translate their experience into employer-ready applications for US and international job markets.

Seb’s insights in resume and cover letter writing, interview preparation, and skill development have appeared in careers-focused and national media, including Employee Benefit News, The Vector Impact, and 360Learning. Reach him at [sebastian] @ [resumegenius.com] or via LinkedIn.

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Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW)

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