Should You Put a Photo on Your CV? A Country-by-Country Guide

Few CV-related topics generate as much debate as whether to include a photo. Depending on where you are in the world, a headshot on your CV is either expected, discouraged, or actively illegal to consider in hiring. For job seekers applying internationally, getting this wrong can mean your application is dismissed before anyone reads a word.

The confusion is understandable. Career advice on this topic often assumes a single country's norms, but the global job market does not work that way. If you are applying for roles across borders, or even within a multicultural company, you need to understand the landscape.

In Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, including a professional photo on your CV is standard practice. The Bewerbungsfoto is a deeply ingrained part of application culture, and omitting one can make your application feel incomplete. German recruiters often expect a high-quality studio headshot, typically positioned in the top right corner of the first page.

France and the Nordics sit somewhere in the middle. Photos are common but not mandatory, and younger companies tend to care less. In the Netherlands, photos are gradually falling out of fashion, particularly in larger corporations with diversity initiatives. Spain and Italy still lean toward including one, especially for client-facing roles.

The UK and Ireland stand apart from continental Europe on this issue. Photos are generally discouraged, and many companies actively request that candidates not include them. This stems from strong anti-discrimination frameworks and a hiring culture that emphasizes skills over appearance. Including a photo on a UK application can actually signal that you are unfamiliar with local norms.

In the United States and Canada, the answer is straightforward: do not include a photo. Anti-discrimination laws in both countries make employers wary of any information that could introduce bias based on race, age, gender, or appearance. Many US companies will discard CVs with photos to avoid even the perception of biased hiring. The same applies to Australia.

Asia presents a different picture entirely. In Japan, a photo is not just expected but has specific conventions: a formal passport-style headshot, often taken at a photo booth designed specifically for job applications. South Korea has similar expectations, and in China, a professional photo is standard. These markets treat the photo as a basic element of a complete application.

In the Middle East, norms vary by country and industry. In the UAE and Saudi Arabia, photos are common and generally expected, particularly for customer-facing positions. However, multinational companies operating in the region may follow Western conventions, so researching the specific employer matters.

Even in markets where photos are optional, there are situations where including one can work in your favor. Client-facing roles in hospitality, sales, public relations, and media sometimes benefit from a photo because the role itself involves personal presentation. If you are applying to a small company in a photo-friendly market, it can add a personal touch that makes your application memorable.

On the flip side, a bad photo is worse than no photo. A cropped holiday snapshot, a dimly lit selfie, or an overly casual image communicates a lack of professionalism. If you cannot invest in a proper headshot, you are better off leaving it out entirely. A poor photo creates a negative first impression that your qualifications then have to overcome.

If you decide a photo is appropriate for your target market, invest in getting it right. Use a professional photographer or at minimum a friend with a good camera and natural lighting. Dress as you would for an interview in your target industry: business formal for corporate roles, smart casual for startups and creative fields.

Keep the background clean and neutral. Frame the shot from the chest up, with your face clearly visible and well-lit. Make eye contact with the camera and aim for a natural, approachable expression rather than a rigid smile or an overly serious look. The photo should be recent, within the last two years, and should look like you on a good day at work.

Size matters too. The photo should be high resolution but appropriately sized for a CV, typically around 2x3 centimeters in print. Avoid oversized images that dominate the page or tiny thumbnails that are hard to make out. The goal is a professional detail that complements your CV, not a portrait that overshadows it.

There is no universal right answer to the photo question. The correct choice depends entirely on where you are applying, the industry, and the company culture. When in doubt, research the specific market and employer. Check LinkedIn profiles of employees at the company to get a sense of local norms.

If you are applying across multiple countries with different expectations, the easiest solution is to maintain two versions of your CV: one with a photo and one without. This way you can match the expectations of each market without compromising on either. The small extra effort pays dividends in showing cultural awareness, which is itself a valuable professional trait.