Should You Put a Headshot on Your Resume or CV?

Headshot or no headshot photo on your resume? The right call depends on more than you think.

You’ve probably seen conflicting career advice when wondering whether to include a headshot on your resume: “A professional photo makes you memorable” vs. “It’ll get your resume tossed.” No wonder professionals feel unsure.

So what’s the truth?

The answer isn’t one-size-fits-all. A modern headshot can absolutely strengthen your personal brand, but only if it’s used intentionally, in the right context, and with the right image. Otherwise, it risks distracting from your skills or signaling the wrong tone altogether.

To help you make the right decision, we’ll break down when resume headshots are appropriate, what factors to consider when adding one, and how to make the best decision for your job hunt goals.

TL;DR: Including a headshot on your resume depends on where you’re applying, your industry, and how well the photo aligns with your professional brand. In some regions and roles, a high-quality professional headshot can boost credibility and memorability. In others, it can trigger unconscious bias or get filtered out entirely. This guide breaks down when a headshot helps, when to skip it, and how to do it right if you choose to include one. For high-quality, resume-ready headshots, InstaHeadshots delivers up to 200 HD AI photos in just 15 minutes, all without the time, cost, or awkwardness of a studio shoot.

The argument around headshots on resumes and CVs

Few CV decisions spark as much debate as including a resume photo.

Some hiring experts insist that a photo of you adds personality and memorability. Others warn that it invites unconscious bias and gets your resume rejected on sight. And they’re both right, depending on where you are, what you do, and who’s reading your job application.

Globally, the rules vary wildly. 

In countries like Germany, South America, France, and parts of Asia, headshots are often expected (sometimes required) on CVs. But in the U.S., the UK, Canada, and Australia, headshots on resumes are frequently discouraged. 

Many potential employers follow “blind recruitment” practices that recommend removing personally identifiable information (PII), including photos, to reduce unconscious bias in the hiring process.

At the same time, personal branding is non-negotiable in the job market. Industry data shows that 64% of employers check LinkedIn profiles before contacting a candidate, and many form perceptions from the photo alone. That means, even if your resume skips the photo, your image is likely shaping first impressions elsewhere.

So, what do job seekers do? 

Some include a headshot to build visual consistency across platforms like LinkedIn, resumes, and personal websites. Others avoid it entirely, fearing it could lead to instant rejection or worse, unconscious filtering based on race, gender, age, or appearance.

The bottom line? There’s no universal right answer. But there is a strategic one if you understand the factors at play. The rest of this guide will help you decide when a headshot makes sense, how to use it intentionally, and when to leave it off without second-guessing your choice.

When is it appropriate to include a headshot?

The advice around headshots on resumes can feel like a minefield, but in some situations, the choice is clear. In certain roles, industries, or regions, a resume without a headshot can actually hold you back. Far from being a liability, the right photo can reinforce your professionalism, create instant familiarity, and position you as someone who gets it, making your resume stand out.

Here are a few scenarios where including a headshot works in your favor.

You’re applying for jobs outside the U.S.

In many parts of the world, including a headshot on your resume isn’t optional—it’s expected. Countries like Germany, France, Spain, Brazil, South Korea, and much of South America and Southeast Asia follow industry norms where a professional photo is standard on a CV.

Submitting a resume without a headshot in these regions can make your job application seem incomplete or out of sync with local expectations. Hiring managers may interpret the absence as a lack of professionalism or assume you don’t understand the norms of the region you’re applying to.

A well-composed photo with professional lighting, framing, and confident headshot poses communicates that you take the job search process seriously and understand the cultural context. 

You’re in a client-facing or personal brand-driven field

For industries where you are the product, like real estate, consulting, coaching, or public relations, a polished headshot is an essential part of your personal brand toolkit.

Clients, partners, and potential employers want to know who they’re trusting with high-stakes decisions. A well-crafted headshot helps build that trust. It signals confidence, credibility, and reliability before you’ve said a word.

In these fields, omitting a resume picture can weaken your visibility, especially when your face already appears on LinkedIn, your website, speaker bios, or marketing materials. Think of it as visual consistency. If you’re selling trust, make sure your image shows up consistently, professionally, and on-brand.

You’re using a CV or portfolio-based resume

If you're submitting a visual CV, creative portfolio, acting resume, or speaker one-sheet, your photo plays a different role: anchoring the document and reinforcing your professional identity.

For these formats, a well-placed headshot adds cohesion. It tells the recruiter or potential client: this is who I am, this is what I do, and I know how to present it. Whether you're a designer pitching a visual brand, an actor submitting for casting, or a keynote speaker sharing your profile, a headshot is a stamp of confidence.

It reinforces identity and makes the document feel cohesive and complete without pulling focus from your skills or work experience.

When is it better to skip the headshot?

While headshots can help in certain contexts, there are still many cases where skipping the photo is the smarter, more strategic choice, especially if your goal is to avoid bias, follow best practices, and let your skills speak first. These include:

You’re applying in the U.S. or Canada

In the U.S. and Canada, including a headshot on your resume is usually discouraged, and for good reason.

Anti-discrimination laws and corporate hiring norms prioritize fairness and objectivity. Adding a picture of yourself can introduce unconscious bias into the review process, which is why many companies use applicant tracking systems (ATS) that automatically filter out resumes with images or other personally identifying information.

For most North American employers, a resume photo can feel out of place or even raise legal concerns. Unless you’re explicitly asked for one, it’s best to keep your professional resume photo-free and let your LinkedIn profile carry the visual weight.

You’re applying in a conservative industry

Some fields value discretion over flair. If you're applying in law, finance, government, or healthcare, a headshot can feel unnecessary or unprofessional.

These industries tend to focus heavily on qualifications, certifications, and experience, not personal presentation. Including a headshot in these environments might be viewed as self-promotional or misaligned with the tone of the field.

In short, if your audience expects substance over style, let your credentials lead. Keep the photo off your resume and reserve it for more personal platforms like LinkedIn or speaker bios, where visual branding is more welcome.

Your resume style doesn’t need it

If you’re using a clean, ATS-optimized, one-page resume, there is no space or logical reason for a photo. Short resumes, especially in competitive corporate roles, prioritize clarity, brevity, and keyword optimization. A headshot can clutter the layout or take up valuable space better used for achievements and skills.

In this case, the smarter move is to keep the resume simple and functional and ensure your headshot appears where it matters: your LinkedIn profile, online portfolio, or email signature.

If you do include a headshot, what makes it effective?

A headshot should never just fill space but serve a specific purpose. It should reinforce your professionalism, reflect your current presence, and match the tone of the role you’re targeting. Anything less can feel off or distract from your skills entirely.

To achieve that:

Keep it recent, clear, and professional

If your photo is over two years old or no longer reflects how you currently look, it creates a subtle disconnect. People notice, and trust erodes quickly.

As such, your headshot should look like you on your best day, not you five years and two hairstyles ago. To make it effective:

• Use natural, even lighting that highlights your face without shadows or harsh contrast.
• Stick to a simple, uncluttered background. Solid colors like gray, green, or soft tones work best.
• Maintain a relaxed, confident expression that feels approachable but professional.
• Make sure it’s high-resolution. Grainy or pixelated images make your application feel sloppy.

Match the tone to your resume and role

Your headshot should feel in sync with your industry, the job you’re applying for, and the tone of your resume. Here’s what tone-matching looks like:

• Corporate roles (finance, legal, consulting): Think structured. A neutral background, formal attire (like a blazer or collared shirt), and a composed expression send the right signal.
• Creative roles (design, content, marketing): Loosen up. A more stylized background, a softer expression, or a slightly business casual outfit can make you feel modern and relatable without losing professionalism.
• People-focused roles (coaching, education, real estate): Go warm and welcoming. Use natural light, soft tones, and an open smile to signal trust, ease, and approachability.

Can a headshot ever hurt your chances?

Yes. And not because headshots are inherently “wrong” but because the wrong headshot, in the wrong context, can undercut your message.

A poorly lit, overly casual, or outdated photo can make you look unprepared, unprofessional, or out of touch. Even a polished image can backfire if it doesn’t align with industry standards or cultural expectations. And in regions that prioritize anti-bias hiring processes, simply including a headshot can trigger filters or disqualify your resume before it’s read.

But that doesn’t mean you should avoid headshots altogether. It means you must use them strategically, with intention, context-awareness, and polish.

Here’s a simple guide to help you decide:

Ask yourself:

• Are you applying in a country where headshots are expected?(Yes: Germany, France, Brazil, South Korea, parts of Asia, and South America—include one.)
• Are you in a visual or personal brand-driven field?(Yes: real estate, coaching, design, content creation—a photo can build trust quickly.)
• Is your resume part of a portfolio or speaker bio?(Yes: include a headshot to strengthen recognition and tie your materials together.)
• Are you applying in the U.S., the UK, or Canada?(Skip it. These regions typically discourage photos to minimize hiring bias.)
• Is your industry formal, conservative, or compliance-heavy?(Finance, law, healthcare, government? Skip it.)
• Will the photo add to your application or just fill space?(Only include it if it reinforces your brand and aligns with your audience.)
• Is the headshot polished, recent, and tone-matched?(Blurry selfies, outdated portraits, or over-filtered AI images will do more harm than good.)

How InstaHeadshots helps you get it right

If you’ve decided to include a headshot on your resume, one question usually follows:

“How do I get it right?”

That’s what InstaHeadshots is built for.

Instead of relying on awkward selfies, DIY photos, or expensive studio sessions with a professional photographer, InstaHeadshots gives you polished, professional-looking headshots tailored for job applications, portfolios, and speaking bios.

You look like your best, most credible self with the right background, lighting, and tone to match your resume and role.

With InstaHeadshots, you can:

• Choose from industry-appropriate tones that align with resumes, CVs, or portfolio use.
• Avoid common pitfalls like harsh shadows, sloppy crops, or overly stylized edits.
• Get hyper-realistic results that resemble you—no waxy skin, frozen smiles, or avatar vibes.
• Receive up to 200 high-quality headshots for under $70 in just 15 minutes.

Make the choice that supports your career goals

There’s no one-size-fits-all rule when it comes to resume headshots, and that’s okay. The real power lies in making an informed, intentional choice based on your industry, region, and the image you want to project.

If a headshot strengthens your application, use one that’s recent, professional, and aligned with your role. If it doesn’t serve the context, leave it off and focus your visual brand elsewhere, like LinkedIn or your portfolio.

Either way, having a polished, professional headshot is an asset. It builds trust, adds consistency across platforms and social media, and helps you show up with clarity and confidence.

Need a better professional headshot for your resume or portfolio, but aren’t sure where to start? InstaHeadshots creates photo-realistic, industry-aligned headshots that present you as sharp, credible, and career-ready without the studio hassle. 

Get started with InstaHeadshots today.