by When the HR opens the resume, he, of course, first of all, pays attention to the photograph of the applicant. Therefore, the choice of a photo for a resume is a responsible business, because you must look at it not only an attractive person but also as a competent specialist.
Here are 5 tips to use before adding a photo to your resume.
Avoid photos with bright facial expressions or gestures
Antics and gestures (even with a very positive meaning) in the resume are inappropriate. Nevertheless, some specialists resort to them, believing that they can attract attention and be remembered by the HR manager.
A photo with a calm expression is worth using, even if you are a mime actor or child animator. Moreover, psychologists advise not even the most successful realtors, sales managers, or business coaches to use photos with the gesture “class” or “Victoria” (two fingers in the form of a Latin “V”) on advertising posters.
Make eye contact
To look smart and confident in photography, create the illusion of eye contact with the HR.
Many job seekers use photos in which they think they look mysterious and highly intellectual due to a thoughtful look into the distance. It may actually work on social media, but it doesn’t on a resume.
A study by Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles found that people who maintain eye contact are generally rated as having a higher IQ than those who avoid it. It’s easy to create the illusion of eye contact with an HR manager with a resume – use a photo in which you are looking directly into the camera.
Stand up straight
Another common mistake that can weaken the perception of your competence is tilting your head or stooping.
People always tilt their heads a little when they talk to someone interesting – this is a sign of trust and sympathy. However, this position of the body does not look very attractive in photographs. You look less competent in such pictures.
Have you found yourself always tilting your head in photos? No problem: try rotating the image slightly in the photo editor to correct your posture.
Avoid Selfie Cues
Selfies and even professional photos that look like selfies on the resume will definitely not add points to you in the eyes of the employer.
Selfie can make you an Instagram star, and it can send your resume to the Trash. It’s all about the specifics of this type of photography and its subconscious message – narcissism.
Interestingly, a modern Internet user recognizes a selfie at a glance, even if you “cut off your hand.” There is still slight facial distortion in these shots (such as a slightly disproportionate forehead or nose caused by close-up shots).
This does not mean that you cannot take pictures yourself for use in your resume; you just need to learn how to use a tripod and use the timer function when shooting.
Choose the right clothes and furnishings
The HR person will draw conclusions from both your appearance in the photograph and from what surrounds you.
For example, a birthday photo at a party cap will make the HR person doubt that you will adhere to professional rules and regulations. If you are using a vacation photo, you are a fun person who drinks great cocktails and lies in the sun. Photos from the wedding are overkill with practicality: it was a great day, you put on a beautiful suit, took professional photos, so why should you be lost? The only trouble is that, like a selfie, a wedding photo session is recognized at first sight and decides that the applicant simply decided not to overstrain.
In fact, to get a serious resume photo all you need to do is put on a long sleeve shirt and find a simple, neutral background.
Bonus: put on your glasses
Yes, this is a terrible cliche. But psychological research suggests that it actually works and the person with glasses seems to the recruiter to be more competent. So, if you wear glasses, it is better to be photographed for a resume in them.
