What is your opinion about people who attach pictures with their resumes?

If you aren't an actor or a model, you shouldn't have a picture on your resume. That's my honest opinion.

In this day where most everyone I know have a Linkedin profile that allows you to upload a professional picture to your profile, adding one to your resume is overkill. I would suggest you keep the actual resume clean and not include a photograph and when you're writing your email or cover letter, provide a link to your Linkedin profile that has much more useful information for your future potential employer like more detailed work history, recommendations, quality of content (answers to questions, blog posts, etc) contributions on the internet. Just my opinion.

People may notice that I do not have my photo on display. I am not particularly ugly or handsome, fat or thin, short or tall, etc etc (well, at least I do not think I am!) but neither am I particularly concerned what people might think of my appearance.

There is a risk when displaying one's photo on a resume that subtle prejudices will come into play in the mind of the resume reviewer. Clearly it should not happen but it could on a very subtle level..... "this person is handsome/pretty/ugly/odd looking/has a funny nose" and who knows how this might - I emphasise might - influence someone's decision to move the resume into the "consider further" pile.

There could also be a real risk of liability if it turns out that most people who are:
- Hispanic
- blue eyed
- male
- female
- Asian
- South Asian
- Afro-Caribbean
- African American

etc etc (you choose) turn out to be the candidates that are rejected or favoured for advancement.

Stick to facts on a resume. Crisp, measurable data on which one can be challenged and probed - surely we should be looking for skills not engaging in a beauty parade.

Brian, you are right on the money.

I guess that my lifelong ski nose would get me in trouble then....the days of Bob Hope being popular are waining by the year and that was my only nose-connection.

I would not promote it, but I am not against it, it gives you another insight into a person that submits the resume. When you meet the person in person, is the photo reflecting the real him/her or is it a best photo from 10 years ago? It says something about the person again.

That can slice both ways... Probably not a good idea.

With resume links to one's LinkedIn, Facebook and Plaxo pages, as well as Twitter and all the bookmark sites, posting a pic on one's resume sounds like overkill to me.

Agreed!

Besides the legal categories, research shows that there are well established other forms of bias based on a person's appearance: tall people, short, fat, or blonde, can effect how a person is viewed. However, the common custom of making a final decision in a face to face interview results in all of these biases coming into play anyway. I don't condone it, and I think the photo issue just introduces the bias earlier in the process.

My European friends tell me it is (perhaps "was") a common practice.

So, when in Europe (or Asia, South America, Africa) definitely do what they do. This points out a related topic which is how to edit your resume so that it conforms to the social and business practices of those in an overseas area where you are interested in working. Then of course, you better bone up on table manners in that country, since it is a common practice in some countries (Belgium comes to mind) where they like to take candidates to lunch to judge them by their table manners.

I have been asked by my dad to include my photo in my resume. I just thought it was an overkill and kind of old fashioned (if it actually existed in the past). I believe with the advent of the Internet and Social Network profiles potential employers can have a feel of who you are. I personally included my Microsft and LinkedIn profile links in my resume to enable any employer get more imformation about me professionally.
This I believe it absolutely appropriate and not an overkill.

I just do not see what the photo on a resume adds. Another insight? What sort of insight? Including a photo may say something about the candidate but the problem is "what" does it say? And how is that "what a photo says" relevant to the necessary skills for the job?

Most of the replies are against putting a photo on the CV, but I think it varies from country to another. Actually I prefer CVs with photos. it indicates a lot, such as, the social level of candidates, her /his style . You may ask all that from only a photo, I say yes when you have great variances between people. it is not a matter of discrimination, I respect all and my main concern is to find qualified persons. but what I'm searching for is to choose a qualified person who matches with the overall environment of the place just to make him/her feel part of it. If not, s/he may feel strange and can't work efficiently. It happens only when the place has clear characteristics and not in all cases.

I was recommending this since 08. I think it's one of the strongest ways to introduce yourself to your prospective employer. It sets you apart, as many don't do it - and it also gives the interviewee a 'feel' of who you are.

For example, where they might not be soo dazzled by all you say on your resume, the picture could be the clincher to at least get you the interview. There might be something about you that 'clicks' with that person, (perhaps you have the look of a determined person, etc) and they are willing to give an interview to you to see if you impress them better in person and by the way you answer their questions vs how you presented yourself on paper.

We all know, some people don't write the best of resumes, but their skills and experience are better explained in person.

Plus, it falls under my creed: "it certainly can not hurt you, it can only help you".

You either think you are better looking than average or you don't think your age is an issue.

I think: "They must be European."

Amusing, but I'm not sure why you think this.

Great point Dennis.

I am not sure but i do not feel there is any harm in enclosing the picture . Yes the photograph has to be neat & tidy & shot for a professional purpose. There is a very old saying that face can at-least explain some traits about a person's characteristic. Well leave aside old saying but a sober business photograph of the candidate should not be a problem. There is only one probable danger one should not carried away by looking at a good looking snap & select the same only on the basis of looks.

Not suggested, may be for a Front office, PR or Airways job... This is a Global practice too...

I am not in favor of pictures on a resume. This is the first thing you see on a CV where it should be the last thing to influence you (unless you need recruit a top model !.