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The table below gives you a quick reference across common fields.",{"type":47,"tag":202,"props":694,"children":695},{},[696,717],{"type":47,"tag":206,"props":697,"children":698},{},[699],{"type":47,"tag":210,"props":700,"children":701},{},[702,707,712],{"type":47,"tag":214,"props":703,"children":704},{},[705],{"type":56,"value":706},"Industry",{"type":47,"tag":214,"props":708,"children":709},{},[710],{"type":56,"value":711},"Photo Expected?",{"type":47,"tag":214,"props":713,"children":714},{},[715],{"type":56,"value":716},"Notes",{"type":47,"tag":230,"props":718,"children":719},{},[720,738,756,773,790,808,826,843],{"type":47,"tag":210,"props":721,"children":722},{},[723,728,733],{"type":47,"tag":237,"props":724,"children":725},{},[726],{"type":56,"value":727},"Tech \u002F Software",{"type":47,"tag":237,"props":729,"children":730},{},[731],{"type":56,"value":732},"No",{"type":47,"tag":237,"props":734,"children":735},{},[736],{"type":56,"value":737},"Most tech companies in the US and UK use ATS-first pipelines; photos are rarely expected and can introduce bias",{"type":47,"tag":210,"props":739,"children":740},{},[741,746,751],{"type":47,"tag":237,"props":742,"children":743},{},[744],{"type":56,"value":745},"Finance \u002F Banking",{"type":47,"tag":237,"props":747,"children":748},{},[749],{"type":56,"value":750},"No (US\u002FUK) \u002F Sometimes (EU)",{"type":47,"tag":237,"props":752,"children":753},{},[754],{"type":56,"value":755},"Conservative sector — follow the country norm; a polished LinkedIn profile matters more",{"type":47,"tag":210,"props":757,"children":758},{},[759,764,768],{"type":47,"tag":237,"props":760,"children":761},{},[762],{"type":56,"value":763},"Healthcare",{"type":47,"tag":237,"props":765,"children":766},{},[767],{"type":56,"value":732},{"type":47,"tag":237,"props":769,"children":770},{},[771],{"type":56,"value":772},"Clinical and hospital roles focus strictly on qualifications and credentials",{"type":47,"tag":210,"props":774,"children":775},{},[776,781,785],{"type":47,"tag":237,"props":777,"children":778},{},[779],{"type":56,"value":780},"Legal",{"type":47,"tag":237,"props":782,"children":783},{},[784],{"type":56,"value":732},{"type":47,"tag":237,"props":786,"children":787},{},[788],{"type":56,"value":789},"Law firms in the US and UK do not expect photos; German and Austrian legal roles may still include one",{"type":47,"tag":210,"props":791,"children":792},{},[793,798,803],{"type":47,"tag":237,"props":794,"children":795},{},[796],{"type":56,"value":797},"Real Estate",{"type":47,"tag":237,"props":799,"children":800},{},[801],{"type":56,"value":802},"Yes",{"type":47,"tag":237,"props":804,"children":805},{},[806],{"type":56,"value":807},"Client-facing nature of the role means a professional headshot is often welcomed or expected",{"type":47,"tag":210,"props":809,"children":810},{},[811,816,821],{"type":47,"tag":237,"props":812,"children":813},{},[814],{"type":56,"value":815},"Creative \u002F Media",{"type":47,"tag":237,"props":817,"children":818},{},[819],{"type":56,"value":820},"Sometimes",{"type":47,"tag":237,"props":822,"children":823},{},[824],{"type":56,"value":825},"Portfolios take priority, but a photo on the CV can reinforce personal brand for on-screen or public roles",{"type":47,"tag":210,"props":827,"children":828},{},[829,834,838],{"type":47,"tag":237,"props":830,"children":831},{},[832],{"type":56,"value":833},"Academia",{"type":47,"tag":237,"props":835,"children":836},{},[837],{"type":56,"value":732},{"type":47,"tag":237,"props":839,"children":840},{},[841],{"type":56,"value":842},"Academic CVs are evaluated on publications and research output; photos are not standard",{"type":47,"tag":210,"props":844,"children":845},{},[846,851,855],{"type":47,"tag":237,"props":847,"children":848},{},[849],{"type":56,"value":850},"Hospitality",{"type":47,"tag":237,"props":852,"children":853},{},[854],{"type":56,"value":820},{"type":47,"tag":237,"props":856,"children":857},{},[858],{"type":56,"value":859},"Front-of-house and client-service roles may welcome a photo, particularly in luxury hospitality",{"type":47,"tag":48,"props":861,"children":862},{},[863],{"type":56,"value":864},"If you are applying across multiple industries simultaneously, keep two CV versions — one with a photo and one without — so you can tailor your application without losing time reformatting.",{"type":47,"tag":109,"props":866,"children":868},{"id":867},"how-to-create-a-professional-cv-photo-in-2026",[869],{"type":56,"value":870},"How to Create a Professional CV Photo in 2026",{"type":47,"tag":48,"props":872,"children":873},{},[874],{"type":56,"value":875},"Once you have decided to include a photo, the next question is how to get one that genuinely looks professional. There are three main routes.",{"type":47,"tag":48,"props":877,"children":878},{},[879],{"type":47,"tag":82,"props":880,"children":881},{},[882],{"type":56,"value":883},"Hiring a professional photographer",{"type":47,"tag":48,"props":885,"children":886},{},[887],{"type":56,"value":888},"A studio or corporate photographer will deliver the highest-quality result. Sessions typically cost between $100 and $400 depending on your location, the photographer's experience, and whether retouching is included. The main advantages are expert lighting, a curated set, and a final image that requires no further editing. The drawback is cost and scheduling time — you may wait days or weeks for an appointment and then several more for final delivery.",{"type":47,"tag":48,"props":890,"children":891},{},[892],{"type":47,"tag":82,"props":893,"children":894},{},[895],{"type":56,"value":896},"Using an AI headshot generator",{"type":47,"tag":48,"props":898,"children":899},{},[900,902,907],{"type":56,"value":901},"Services like ",{"type":47,"tag":59,"props":903,"children":904},{"href":408},[905],{"type":56,"value":906},"BetterPic's AI headshot generator",{"type":56,"value":908}," produce studio-quality portraits from a set of selfies you upload from home. The process takes a few hours rather than days, costs a fraction of a professional shoot (typically $25–$40 for a full pack), and gives you multiple backgrounds and styles to choose from. The output is indistinguishable from a traditional headshot and is accepted by employers worldwide. This is the fastest route if you need a professional image quickly or want to keep costs low.",{"type":47,"tag":48,"props":910,"children":911},{},[912],{"type":47,"tag":82,"props":913,"children":914},{},[915],{"type":56,"value":916},"DIY at home",{"type":47,"tag":48,"props":918,"children":919},{},[920],{"type":56,"value":921},"If you prefer to take your own photo, setup matters enormously. Use a modern smartphone with portrait mode, stand near a large window for natural diffused light, and choose a plain white or light grey wall as your background. Wear business-appropriate clothing and ask a friend to take the shot rather than using a timer. The result can be acceptable, but it is the most time-consuming option to get right without the right equipment.",{"type":47,"tag":48,"props":923,"children":924},{},[925],{"type":47,"tag":82,"props":926,"children":927},{},[928],{"type":56,"value":929},"Comparison of methods",{"type":47,"tag":202,"props":931,"children":932},{},[933,964],{"type":47,"tag":206,"props":934,"children":935},{},[936],{"type":47,"tag":210,"props":937,"children":938},{},[939,944,949,954,959],{"type":47,"tag":214,"props":940,"children":941},{},[942],{"type":56,"value":943},"Method",{"type":47,"tag":214,"props":945,"children":946},{},[947],{"type":56,"value":948},"Cost",{"type":47,"tag":214,"props":950,"children":951},{},[952],{"type":56,"value":953},"Time to Receive",{"type":47,"tag":214,"props":955,"children":956},{},[957],{"type":56,"value":958},"Quality",{"type":47,"tag":214,"props":960,"children":961},{},[962],{"type":56,"value":963},"Convenience",{"type":47,"tag":230,"props":965,"children":966},{},[967,995,1022],{"type":47,"tag":210,"props":968,"children":969},{},[970,975,980,985,990],{"type":47,"tag":237,"props":971,"children":972},{},[973],{"type":56,"value":974},"Professional photographer",{"type":47,"tag":237,"props":976,"children":977},{},[978],{"type":56,"value":979},"$100 – $400",{"type":47,"tag":237,"props":981,"children":982},{},[983],{"type":56,"value":984},"3 – 10 days",{"type":47,"tag":237,"props":986,"children":987},{},[988],{"type":56,"value":989},"Highest",{"type":47,"tag":237,"props":991,"children":992},{},[993],{"type":56,"value":994},"Low (requires booking and travel)",{"type":47,"tag":210,"props":996,"children":997},{},[998,1002,1007,1012,1017],{"type":47,"tag":237,"props":999,"children":1000},{},[1001],{"type":56,"value":411},{"type":47,"tag":237,"props":1003,"children":1004},{},[1005],{"type":56,"value":1006},"$25 – $40",{"type":47,"tag":237,"props":1008,"children":1009},{},[1010],{"type":56,"value":1011},"1 – 4 hours",{"type":47,"tag":237,"props":1013,"children":1014},{},[1015],{"type":56,"value":1016},"High",{"type":47,"tag":237,"props":1018,"children":1019},{},[1020],{"type":56,"value":1021},"Very high (fully remote)",{"type":47,"tag":210,"props":1023,"children":1024},{},[1025,1029,1034,1039,1044],{"type":47,"tag":237,"props":1026,"children":1027},{},[1028],{"type":56,"value":916},{"type":47,"tag":237,"props":1030,"children":1031},{},[1032],{"type":56,"value":1033},"$0",{"type":47,"tag":237,"props":1035,"children":1036},{},[1037],{"type":56,"value":1038},"Same day",{"type":47,"tag":237,"props":1040,"children":1041},{},[1042],{"type":56,"value":1043},"Variable",{"type":47,"tag":237,"props":1045,"children":1046},{},[1047],{"type":56,"value":1048},"Medium (requires setup and retakes)",{"type":47,"tag":48,"props":1050,"children":1051},{},[1052,1054,1058],{"type":56,"value":1053},"For most job seekers who need a reliable, fast, and cost-effective result, an ",{"type":47,"tag":59,"props":1055,"children":1056},{"href":408},[1057],{"type":56,"value":411},{"type":56,"value":1059}," offers the best balance of quality and convenience in 2026.",{"type":47,"tag":109,"props":1061,"children":1063},{"id":1062},"regional-cv-photo-trends-whats-changing-in-2026",[1064],{"type":56,"value":1065},"Regional CV Photo Trends: What's Changing in 2026",{"type":47,"tag":48,"props":1067,"children":1068},{},[1069],{"type":56,"value":1070},"The global norm around CV photos is shifting, and understanding the direction of that change helps you stay ahead.",{"type":47,"tag":48,"props":1072,"children":1073},{},[1074],{"type":47,"tag":82,"props":1075,"children":1076},{},[1077],{"type":56,"value":1078},"Germany softening its requirements",{"type":47,"tag":48,"props":1080,"children":1081},{},[1082],{"type":56,"value":1083},"Germany has historically been one of the strongest advocates for CV photos, with a professional headshot considered near-mandatory in formal applications. That norm is gradually relaxing. A growing number of German employers — particularly in tech, startups, and internationally-oriented companies — have removed the photo field from their application portals to align with EU anti-discrimination guidelines. If you are applying to a traditional German Mittelstand company or a public-sector role, a photo is still expected. For modern Berlin tech firms, it is increasingly optional.",{"type":47,"tag":48,"props":1085,"children":1086},{},[1087],{"type":47,"tag":82,"props":1088,"children":1089},{},[1090],{"type":56,"value":1091},"Middle East expectations",{"type":47,"tag":48,"props":1093,"children":1094},{},[1095],{"type":56,"value":1096},"In the Gulf states — particularly the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Kuwait — including a professional photo remains common practice and is generally expected for white-collar applications. Presentation and personal image carry significant cultural weight in these markets. Ensure the photo is formally dressed and taken against a neutral background; anything that reads as informal can create a negative first impression before the CV content is even read.",{"type":47,"tag":48,"props":1098,"children":1099},{},[1100],{"type":47,"tag":82,"props":1101,"children":1102},{},[1103],{"type":56,"value":1104},"Asia-Pacific norms",{"type":47,"tag":48,"props":1106,"children":1107},{},[1108],{"type":56,"value":1109},"Photo expectations across the Asia-Pacific region vary considerably. In Japan, South Korea, and China, attaching a formal headshot to a CV is standard practice and omitting one may raise questions. In Australia and New Zealand, the norm aligns more closely with the US and UK — photos are not expected and may even be discouraged to prevent unconscious bias. Singapore sits in the middle: norms differ by industry, with finance and law typically following Western conventions and hospitality or retail roles being more open to photos.",{"type":47,"tag":48,"props":1111,"children":1112},{},[1113],{"type":47,"tag":82,"props":1114,"children":1115},{},[1116],{"type":56,"value":1117},"Remote-first companies globally",{"type":47,"tag":48,"props":1119,"children":1120},{},[1121],{"type":56,"value":1122},"A clear emerging trend in 2026 is that fully remote and remote-first companies — regardless of their country of incorporation — are moving away from CV photos as a standard expectation. Distributed hiring teams increasingly default to blind-resume screening in the first round, reserving video introductions for later stages. If a job listing is fully remote and makes no mention of a photo, it is safer to leave it out.",{"type":47,"tag":109,"props":1124,"children":1126},{"id":1125},"frequently-asked-questions",[1127],{"type":56,"value":1128},"Frequently Asked Questions",{"type":47,"tag":1130,"props":1131,"children":1133},"h3",{"id":1132},"should-i-put-a-photo-on-my-resume-in-2026",[1134],{"type":56,"value":1135},"Should I put a photo on my resume in 2026?",{"type":47,"tag":48,"props":1137,"children":1138},{},[1139],{"type":56,"value":1140},"In the US and UK, generally no — photos can trigger bias concerns and cause ATS parsing issues that reduce your chances before a human ever sees your application. In parts of continental Europe such as Germany and Austria, a professional photo is still common and often expected. The safest rule is to follow the regional norm and check whether the job listing specifically requests one.",{"type":47,"tag":1130,"props":1142,"children":1144},{"id":1143},"does-a-cv-require-a-photo",[1145],{"type":56,"value":1146},"Does a CV require a photo?",{"type":47,"tag":48,"props":1148,"children":1149},{},[1150],{"type":56,"value":1151},"Only if requested by the employer or culturally expected in that country. In most English-speaking markets, the CV is evaluated entirely on its written content, so adding an unrequested photo offers no advantage and may introduce unnecessary risk. When in doubt, check the employer's own website or job listing for any indication of their preference.",{"type":47,"tag":1130,"props":1153,"children":1155},{"id":1154},"can-ats-reject-resumes-with-photos",[1156],{"type":56,"value":1157},"Can ATS reject resumes with photos?",{"type":47,"tag":48,"props":1159,"children":1160},{},[1161],{"type":56,"value":1162},"Some systems may misinterpret formatting, especially if images interfere with text parsing. When a photo is embedded in a document, it can corrupt the column layout that ATS software expects, causing your work history or contact details to be parsed incorrectly or dropped entirely. Submitting a clean, image-free PDF is the safest approach for any role that uses an online application portal.",{"type":47,"tag":1130,"props":1164,"children":1166},{"id":1165},"what-kind-of-photo-should-i-use",[1167],{"type":56,"value":1168},"What kind of photo should I use?",{"type":47,"tag":48,"props":1170,"children":1171},{},[1172],{"type":56,"value":1173},"A professional headshot with a neutral background, proper lighting, and business attire. The image should be head-and-shoulders, facing directly toward the camera or at a slight angle, with a natural expression. Avoid selfies, heavy filters, or casual clothing — your photo should be indistinguishable from something taken in a professional studio setting.",{"type":47,"tag":1130,"props":1175,"children":1177},{"id":1176},"is-an-ai-generated-headshot-acceptable",[1178],{"type":56,"value":1179},"Is an AI-generated headshot acceptable?",{"type":47,"tag":48,"props":1181,"children":1182},{},[1183,1185,1190],{"type":56,"value":1184},"Yes — as long as it appears realistic and professional. Modern ",{"type":47,"tag":59,"props":1186,"children":1187},{"href":408},[1188],{"type":56,"value":1189},"AI headshot generators",{"type":56,"value":1191}," like BetterPic produce results that are visually identical to studio photography, and employers cannot tell the difference. The key is that the final image meets the visual standards of a professional headshot: correct framing, neutral background, appropriate attire, and natural lighting.",{"type":47,"tag":109,"props":1193,"children":1195},{"id":1194},"so-whats-the-final-verdict-on-cv-photos",[1196],{"type":56,"value":1197},"So what's the final verdict on CV photos?",{"type":47,"tag":48,"props":1199,"children":1200},{},[1201],{"type":56,"value":1202},"Including a photo on your CV is not universally correct — and in some markets, it can reduce your chances.",{"type":47,"tag":48,"props":1204,"children":1205},{},[1206],{"type":56,"value":1207},"The safest strategy is to follow regional norms and employer expectations.",{"type":47,"tag":48,"props":1209,"children":1210},{},[1211],{"type":56,"value":1212},"When in doubt, leave it out.",{"title":1214,"searchDepth":1215,"depth":1215,"links":1216},"",2,[1217,1218,1219,1220,1221,1222,1223,1224,1225,1226,1227,1228,1236],{"id":111,"depth":1215,"text":114},{"id":197,"depth":1215,"text":200},{"id":357,"depth":1215,"text":360},{"id":416,"depth":1215,"text":419},{"id":463,"depth":1215,"text":466},{"id":504,"depth":1215,"text":507},{"id":598,"depth":1215,"text":601},{"id":648,"depth":1215,"text":651},{"id":684,"depth":1215,"text":687},{"id":867,"depth":1215,"text":870},{"id":1062,"depth":1215,"text":1065},{"id":1125,"depth":1215,"text":1128,"children":1229},[1230,1232,1233,1234,1235],{"id":1132,"depth":1231,"text":1135},3,{"id":1143,"depth":1231,"text":1146},{"id":1154,"depth":1231,"text":1157},{"id":1165,"depth":1231,"text":1168},{"id":1176,"depth":1231,"text":1179},{"id":1194,"depth":1215,"text":1197},"markdown","content:en:blog:cv-photos-2025-best-practices.md","content","en\u002Fblog\u002Fcv-photos-2025-best-practices.md","md",[1243,1246,1249,1252,1254],{"question":1244,"answer":1245},"Should you put a photo on your resume in 2026?","In the US and UK, generally no. Employers avoid photos due to discrimination risks, and many ATS systems cannot properly parse images. In Germany and Austria, a professional photo is still culturally expected. In France, it depends on the employer. When in doubt, leave it out.",{"question":1247,"answer":1248},"Can a resume photo get you rejected by ATS?","Yes. Most Applicant Tracking Systems are optimized for text-only resumes. Photos can cause layout distortion, text parsing errors, automatic rejection, and increased file size. If submitting through large job portals, leaving your resume image-free reduces technical risk.",{"question":1250,"answer":1251},"What countries require a photo on your CV?","Germany and Austria traditionally expect CV photos. France has mixed expectations depending on the employer. Singapore is industry-dependent. The US and UK do not expect photos, and many employers automatically remove them to reduce bias in hiring decisions.",{"question":507,"answer":1253},"A proper CV photo should have a neutral white or light grey background, head-and-shoulders framing, direct or slightly angled eye contact, a natural expression, business-appropriate attire, and even soft lighting. Avoid selfies, party photos, distracting backgrounds, heavy filters, and dramatic poses.",{"question":1255,"answer":1256},"Is an AI-generated headshot acceptable for a CV?","Yes, as long as it appears realistic and professional. AI headshot generators can create studio-quality portraits suitable for CVs in countries where photos are expected. The photo should look like you on a good day, with proper lighting, neutral background, and professional attire.",{"_path":1258,"_dir":1214,"_draft":6,"_partial":6,"_locale":7,"allowedRelDomains":1259,"_id":1272,"_type":1273,"title":1274,"_source":1239,"_file":1275,"_extension":1273},"\u002Fallowed-domains",[1260,1261,1262,1263,1264,1265,1266,1267,1268,1269,1270,1271],"betterpic.io","linkedin.com","adobe.com","medium.com","huntr.co","jooble.org","runflow.io","enhancv.com","invideo.io","sixgun.com.au","undetectable.ai","coupler.io","content:allowed-domains.json","json","Allowed Domains","allowed-domains.json"]