Singapore Expats

Hi all,

Do you think including a photo in your CV matters? I don't mind including a photo of myself in the CV ('cos I'm damn good looking ) but what about those of us who are aesthetically impaired?


All kidding aside, I'd like to know if CV's are sorted into 'piles with photos' and 'piles without'? Should I attach a photo to every application that I send? Would you, as an employer/HR manager feel safer (e.g. the person looks trustworthy or the person isn't hiding anything) if someone attached a photo?

Appreciate the opinions..

The answer to this question depends on where you apply.
In the USA it is an almost complete taboo to add a picture, in Europe no application is complete without one.
Singapore is a mixed bag and more tolerant in either case. To be safe, send a picture to Europe-based employers and none to USA-based. For others, use your good judgement.

Depends on the role I guess. If you are applying to be a trolley dolly then of course its going to matter. I would guess that you have to send in a photo to all airline applications, high end fashion stores, some client facing roles etc. It's sad that its a necessity but it is a very fickle world out there.

But in the real world, who gives a sh*t. Its how people do the job that counts not what they look like. As a poor example, I've found that on most airlines or in most shops - the really attractive people haven't got a braincell between them and are useless. Particularly Air Asia - actually that is a bad example as most of the crew are all mingers anyway and still useless!!

But there have been studies that show people feel more at ease and are more likely to buy from good looking people so that might explain some it. Although I think I went past that stage at the age of 15 personally....

And of course its a culture thing too. Particularly in Asia. I don't think i've ever seen a CV in the U.K with a picture on it, unless its from a foreigner.

beppi wrote:The answer to this question depends on where you apply.
In the USA it is an almost complete taboo to add a picture, in Europe no application is complete without one.
Singapore is a mixed bag and more tolerant in either case. To be safe, send a picture to Europe-based employers and none to USA-based. For others, use you good judgement.

Can't speak for rest of Europe but UK you wouldn't have to put a photo on a CV. I never did and many CVs used to land on my desk and I rarely saw one with a photo attached.

In Singapore it depends largely on the company you are sending your CV to. If it's a NMC you shouldn'y need to supply a photo, if it's a smaller local company they will most likely ask for one and unfortunately it is basically used for screening purposes.

No, no pix in the UK. I mean what on earth might one be trying to convey that is not illegal per the discrimination laws?

The US .... yes (somewhat unbelievably) even more so!

If they can't use "Mandarin Speaking" in the advertisement because it's racist (although they still do) then they require a photo as there are no real equality laws here, only lip service. A photo allows the CV to be "shortlisted" without reading it.

Yeah I hear you.

When I was hiring in the US, I was made to have two 'sessions' with HR beforehand. Rather surprisingly these paranoia-inducing sessions were to drill into me precisely what I was not allowed to ask anybody.

Age? - Nope!, family? - nope! a passing comment as to where someone's family might originate from (as you've probably been there, so thought it might make conversation) - not on your life!

It left me rather terrified I have to say.

I'm really only talking about applications in Singapore, as I haven't included much photos so far, but I think I might start.. I've polished my CV already (after getting several HR books from the library!) but still not many responses.. I'm really starting to think the non-SG/PR thing is getting in my way, but just wanted to know if not including my photo got my CV into the "to do" pile rather than the pile the officer/sorter would look at first

@SMS- Is including Mandarin Speaking illegal? in Singapore?

sundaymorningstaple wrote: A photo allows the CV to be "shortlisted" without reading it.

Sorry, only saw this now.. Thanks, duly noted

I'll see what happens when I attach photos, thanks guys!

Virtually nothing is illegal when it comes to advertising for staff here. There are heaps of "best practices" but that's as far as it goes.

slayerk2000,

I hope you meant that......



As that was the way I meant it.

It means, if your face isn't what they think that they want, you don't get shortlisted. Or if your face is the only one of the race they are looking for, you will stand a chance.

If a recent photo is needed, how recent is recent?

Well, if your 50, your high school graduation photo won't do. In fact, if your on the last month of your 10 year passport, I'd say that wouldn't do either. Unless you want to be classified as one who is out to hide stuff from their employer. Good way to start off an interview wouldn't you say? How hard is it to take a photo with a digital camera/smartphone?

RashRash wrote:If a recent photo is needed, how recent is recent?

well, the yahoo dictionary defines recent as the following:

ADJECTIVE:

1.Of, belonging to, or occurring at a time immediately before the present.
2.Modern; new.
3.Recent Geology Of, belonging to, or denoting the Holocene Epoch. See Table at geologic time.

Note this answer is probably no more useful then the question itself!

RashRash wrote:If a recent photo is needed, how recent is recent?

Is this a real question? If yes, what in the world has happened to common sense?

Yes it matters, but not required. Nothing discriminatory, purely practical - I find it easier remembering the person(ality) after the interview when discussing the shortlists.