Photo on Your Job Application - Yes or No?

Sometimes, a job application will also request a photo with your resume. If so make sure your photo is good and appropriate. Your graduation or wedding photo is not appropriate. A photocopy of your license photo is not good enough either. Most photo labs do passport photos, and these would be the best choice. Sometimes you may wish to use a photo even when you are not asked for one, but this is your personal choice. Spend the time and money if you think it will help your resume be more successful in winning you the interview.

These are some small tips to getting camera-ready:

• Your face should be clean, and you should be wearing little or no make up. Remember, the recruiter is interested in seeing the candidate, not the fashion model.
• It doesn't really matter what you wear because your clothes won't show in the photo but always try to be formal and professional.

Remember that your resume is the best sales document you'll ever have regarding your professional life, so every small detail can make a big impact. In fact, many quality resumes are rejected just because of an inappropriate photo (a ruffled head of hair or over-fashionable and inappropriate).

You might think that you shouldn't smile in such photos, but most recruiters would like you to smile, or at least look friendly. Just before the photo is taken, relax and think of a funny joke.

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