Ask HN: Some countries require a photo included in your CV. Why?

#1

Post by fjdghsd » Fri, Jul 12, 2013, 6:17 PM UTC

I'm from Germany and here we have a tradition of including our photo with our CV. Nobody knows why, but it's just "something you do." A CV without a picture is probably going to be thrown away.

German Wikipedia has this to say:

> In keinem anderen Land wird jedoch das Bewerbungsfoto in einem Lebenslauf so hoch gewichtet wie in deutschsprachigen Ländern. Lebensläufe ohne Fotos landen nicht selten bei den Absagen.

Or a translation (mine):

> In no other country outside of the German speaking ones is a photograph so important. CVs without pictures are usually rejected.

I haven't asked a Swiss or Austrian guy, but the Wikipedia entry leads me to believe photos are more or less required in those countries as well. I've also been told by a Spanish friend that it's normal to include in Spain as well. I'm sure there are other countries where it's required (in the sense that it's so normal) to include your picture in your CV.

My question is, why? I can only think of negative situations of including a picture where you're rejected due to your race or color, or that you just don't look "right" (ugly, queer, whatever) to the manager. On the other hand, I guess if you're an insanely good looking guy or girl then a manager might also give your CV more weight because they're attracted to you, which is also bad.

Also, what country are you from, and is it considered normal to include your picture as well?

Re: Ask HN: Some countries require a photo included in your CV. Why?

#2

Post by dscb » Fri, Jul 12, 2013, 7:01 PM UTC

I'm from Canada and I've never heard of anyone including a photo in any sort of job application.

Re: Ask HN: Some countries require a photo included in your CV. Why?

#3

Post by terrykohla » Fri, Jul 12, 2013, 7:08 PM UTC

I can confirm that in Canada and US photos, age and family status are not required on a CV (unless you need security clearance), this kind of information is considered personal and could be used as a motive for discrimination.

However, this was common practice in the old days and it's still common practice in most 3rd world countries of European influence.

Re: Ask HN: Some countries require a photo included in your CV. Why?

#4

Post by mirano » Fri, Jul 12, 2013, 7:29 PM UTC

In China, it's also the norm to include a photo with the CV. When I was hiring a team there, all of the applications were de-facto required to have it from the company perspective. Part of it was an age-ism thing (no older developers need apply was the underlying current), and in the case of office-reception type personnel, it was obvious that it was appearance based.

Re: Ask HN: Some countries require a photo included in your CV. Why?

#5

Post by [deleted] » Fri, Jul 12, 2013, 7:51 PM UTC

terrykohla wrote: post #3

I can confirm that in Canada and US photos, age and family status are not required on a CV (unless you need security clearance), this kind of information is considered personal and could be used as a motive for discrimination. However, this was common practice in the old days and it's still common practice in most 3rd world countries of European influence.

[deleted]

Re: Ask HN: Some countries require a photo included in your CV. Why?

#6

Post by [deleted] » Fri, Jul 12, 2013, 8:52 PM UTC

terrykohla wrote: post #3

I can confirm that in Canada and US photos, age and family status are not required on a CV (unless you need security clearance), this kind of information is considered personal and could be used as a motive for discrimination. However, this was common practice in the old days and it's still common practice in most 3rd world countries of European influence.

[deleted]

Re: Ask HN: Some countries require a photo included in your CV. Why?

#7

Post by mjmcb3 » Sat, Jul 13, 2013, 11:11 AM UTC

Almost unheard-of in Australia, except in fields like fashion modelling, acting, etc. We also do not explicitly state age, marital status or religion on our CVs.

Re: Ask HN: Some countries require a photo included in your CV. Why?

#8

Post by pathy » Sat, Jul 13, 2013, 2:04 PM UTC

In Sweden it is a bit of both, it is not require per se but a lot of people seem to have photos on their CVs and 'CV guides' usually recommend photos.

My current CV doesn't have a photo but it is in need of a refresh so may add a photo to it this time around.

Re: Ask HN: Some countries require a photo included in your CV. Why?

#9

Post by sdrinf » Sat, Jul 13, 2013, 11:32 PM UTC

Plain old cultural inertia might play a big role here: businesses copied their Modus Operandi from older large corporations (who, in turn, copied a lot from the military) where a "job" could potentially last 10-30 years; so the criteria might stem from selecting whom you're going to spend this time.

(Originally from Hungary where it's required; moved to the UK where it's highly discouraged )

Re: Ask HN: Some countries require a photo included in your CV. Why?

#10

Post by dhiren34 » Sun, Jul 14, 2013, 3:49 AM UTC

Its common in Spain and France too