Imagine for a moment that you’ve been sent back to 2015: the iPhone 6 just dropped, the selfie stick is reaching its peak of popularity, and someone just asked you to “Netflix and chill” with them. Halcyon days.
It’s nearly a decade on from the introduction of social media, and the world is now very much accustomed to life online. We seek friendships, relationships and — most crucially for this article, careers — via social media, with LinkedIn boasting 380 million active users, a figure that’s since ballooned to over 1.2 billion.
Yet despite the internet reshaping our lives, 2015’s jobseekers clung to boring .docx resumes — relics of Times New Roman and corporate formality. The advice was simple: keep it plain, formal, and monochrome.
Fortunately, things have changed. Resumes in 2025 are part of your personal brand. With competition high and recruiters skimming applications in seconds, the more eye-catching the better.
The advice now? Get creative. Use Canva. Add borders, icons, and splashes of colour. Show your personality.
But show your face?
Here lies the debate. On one side: tradition, and in some cases, legality. On the other: the idea that a headshot is just another part of the personal branding we now expect.
So should your resume include a headshot or a photo? Let’s explore the pros and cons.
Why adding headshot to resume is important?
Let’s kick off with the upsides of including a photo of yourself when applying for a job.
1. It’s humanizing
A picture tells a thousand words — or, at the very least, it says, “Hi, I’m a real person.” When you include a headshot, you’re not just a name and list of achievements; you’re a face, a presence.
This fosters an immediate sense of connection with the recruiter. In creative industries or roles requiring interpersonal flair, this small spark of familiarity can work in your favour.
It’s also particularly valuable when applying for remote or international roles. In these scenarios, there’s rarely any face-to-face interaction early on — or at all.
A headshot bridges the gap, giving your application a personality that might otherwise be lost across time zones and inconsistent Wi-Fi connections.
2. It supports personal branding
Think of your resume as your own personal billboard. Created tastefully, a headshot complements your professional accolades and ties them all together.
It gives recruiters a cohesive sense of who you are, beyond your laundry list of past roles and achievements. If you bill yourself as creative, for example, your headshot — the clothes you’re wearing, the location of the shot, etc. — can help drive this message home.
Plus, you’re online. Recruiters are probably already looking you up. Including a professional photo just means you’re controlling the first impression, rather than leaving it to a not-work-appropriate pic from Facebook.
3. It demonstrates confidence and helps you stand out
There’s something to be said for how bold it is to include your face front and center. It gives an aura of self-assuredness and demonstrates confidence in your professional appearance — not in a boastful way, but in a “yes, I belong here” kind of way.
Think of it a little like dressing sharply for an interview — it’s a way to project professionalism and pride in your presentation.
Looking the part suggests you are the part, and in competitive industries or roles where personal presence plays a role — think client-facing jobs, media, sales, or leadership positions — that visual impact can give you an edge.
Resume headshot tips that make big differences
We’ve covered the pros, but before you smile for the camera, let’s weigh the potential cons. Adding a headshot can be an important part of your resume, but only if it’s done right.
There are some mistakes people make when adding headshots, and it fires back. Let’s explore how you can overcome these cons.
1. Quality issues send the wrong message
If your headshot is blurry, pixelated, or poorly lit, it’s better to leave it off your resume. It gives the same negative impression as a typo in your application.
Yes, not everyone can afford a studio photoshoot, and not everyone is skilled at editing low-quality photos. But there are tools like AI headshot generators that can help you create a polished, professional image without the hassle. These tools can take care of outfits, hairstyles, backgrounds, and even poses.
2. Make it culturally neutral
Depending on where you’re applying, including a headshot may go down like a lead balloon. In much of Europe and parts of Asia, it’s common practice.
But in countries with strict anti-discrimination laws, like Canada and the U.S., it can feel out of place or even unprofessional.
In recent years, Employer of Record (EOR) services like Rippling (or alternatives like Remote, widely considered to be the best Rippling alternative) have made global hiring far easier, but if you’re applying to an overseas company, it’s important to consider cultural nuances and tailor your approach to the region.
And if it’s too much hassle, the best way is to create a neutral headshot with unembellished attire and a bland, solid background.
A quick look at local resume norms can save you from an accidental faux pas.
3. Don’t let it distract from your qualifications
Let’s be honest — even the most flattering selfie won’t get you the job if your experience doesn’t stack up.
In some cases, including a photo can skew attention away from your skills, achievements, and that killer side project you launched last year.
If your resume is beautifully designed and your content is strong, a headshot should enhance it, not eclipse it.
Try to place your headshot in the header (ideally the top-right corner) and keep it small enough that it frames your application rather than overshadowing your qualifications.
How to take a good headshot?
Okay, so you’ve weighed up the pros and cons, and you’ve decided to add a photo.
Great! But before you crop that beach pic from your cousin’s wedding, let’s talk about what actually makes a good headshot…
1. Keep it clean and simple. Choose a neutral background — think solid wall, soft lighting, no clutter. Natural light works wonders, especially by a window.
Avoid harsh overhead lighting (unless you want that “ghost in a conference room” vibe).
2. Dress the part. Wear what you’d wear to an interview in your field. It doesn’t have to be a blazer if that’s not your vibe, but looking neat and intentional matters.
No logos, no costumes (unless you’re applying to be a mascot).
3. Mind the crop. Shoulders and up — that’s your zone. You’re not shooting a music video; this isn’t the time for full-body shots or dramatic angles.
4. Look approachable. Not too serious, not too silly. Think “friendly, competent human you’d want to work with.” A slight smile goes a long way.
5. Skip the filters. You want to look like you, not the 2016 dog-ear Snapchat version of you. Save the wild effects for the Instagram stories.
If you’re not blessed with a DSLR and a friend who studied photography for a semester, no stress. A modern smartphone, decent lighting, and a little intention go a long way.
Or… Use AI to make one for you!
If setting up a makeshift photography studio in your living room sounds like a hassle, there’s an easier route: AI-generated headshots.
Our tool, LightX, lets you create a professional-looking headshot from a casual snap — no need to find the light or cake yourself in makeup.
Just upload a clear picture of yourself, and our AI system will work its magic. You can choose from a selection of presets, and we even offer 5 free generations per day! Try it out here.
Adding a headshot to your resume is a personal choice — and like most things in the job hunt, it’s all about context.
Done right, it can be a memorable, confidence-boosting addition to your personal brand. Done wrong, it can backfire. So weigh the pros, consider the cons, and if you decide to show your face — just make sure it’s one you’d hire.
