Enhance your resume with a picture showing your personality!

I know, that it is unusual to put a picture of you in an English job application. And you might wonder: Do I really need it? In Germany it is still very common to include a picture in your CV, even though it is not absolutely necessary. It helps HR people to get to know you better and distinguish you from others. But be careful – selfies or pictures of you on a beach will most likely decrease your chances instead of improving them. So, take the chance and show your personality with a decent portrait.

Use a business portrait for your profile on career websites or company messenger!

To have a profile on LinkedIn without a picture is like going to a party without showing your face. Same applies to a company messenger like MS Teams. The reason: when I am in an online meeting, I prefer to see at least a profile picture, when video is not an option. It feels much more personal than having a meeting with initials.

“Can I just take my passport photo?”

My honest opinion: No! Please, don’t do it! And this is why:

Most official documents like passports require a biometric picture. This has to be a certain size, with plain background and most important: frontal pose and neutral expression. The purpose of this neutrality is to make digital analysis and identification of your facial features easier. The combination of characteristics like the distance between your eyes, the width of the mouth and others is unique for each individual. It works like a finger print.

The purpose of your profile picture is completely different. People reviewing your application or coming across your LinkedIn profile don’t care about the unique combination of your facial features. Some won’t even recognize you after seeing your biometric picture. Just because you don’t smile on it.

People are looking for connections and interactions. They will want to connect with you, when you look friendly and approachable.

Makes sense, right? - Yeah, but …

“I feel so awkward in front of the camera!”

I feel your pain! You are dealing with German bureaucracy and that is already annoying enough. To go to a photographer, who in worst case doesn’t speak proper English – is just too much! Most likely the process will take just few minutes. That is not enough time for you to get comfortable in front of the camera.

Let me help you with that! I’ll give you as much time as you need. I’ll guide you through the whole process – with tips for your outfit, directions for your posing and selection of the pictures.