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Resume headshot: size, style and when to include one

A resume photo is expected in some countries and discouraged in others. Browse CV-sized styles here — and read the honest guidance below on whether your resume should have a photo at all.

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Style explorer

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Pick a look and see where it fits — LinkedIn, your resume, a company page. Every face below is an AI-generated example, not a real person.

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Portrait crop sized to drop straight into a resume header.

Studio Classic

Clean seamless backdrop, even three-point lighting — the photographer look. Best for: Resumes, company pages, anyone wanting a timeless safe choice.

  • Studio Classic AI headshot example — professional woman in her 50s (AI-generated, not a real person)
  • Studio Classic AI headshot example — professional man in his 30s with a beard (AI-generated, not a real person)
  • Studio Classic AI headshot example — professional woman in her 20s (AI-generated, not a real person)
  • Studio Classic AI headshot example — professional man in his 20s (AI-generated, not a real person)

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Should you put a photo on your resume?

It depends on where you’re applying. In the United States, Canada, the UK, Ireland and Australia, the convention is to leave the photo off: many employers avoid photos to reduce bias, and some applicant-tracking systems (ATS) mis-read documents with images, scrambling your text. In much of continental Europe (Germany, France, Switzerland), the Middle East, parts of Asia and Latin America, a neat headshot on the CV is normal and sometimes expected.

A safe rule: follow the local norm of the job’s country, and when you’re unsure, omit it for an ATS-screened online application and include it for a designed CV you send directly to a person. If you do include one, keep it small, professional and in the header.

Sizing and placing a resume photo

Where photos are used, a passport-style portrait around 3.5 × 4.5 cm (roughly 350 × 450 px on screen) in the top corner or header is the standard. Use a plain, light background and conservative attire so it complements the document rather than dominating it — Studio Classic and Corporate / Formal are the safest choices.

Place the image in your document’s header or a layout box, not as inline body content, so an ATS reading the text isn’t disrupted. The explorer above previews each style at a CV-appropriate portrait crop. Pair it with a clean, well-structured resume — our free resume templates are linked at the foot of the page.

Questions & Answers

Frequently asked questions

Should I put a photo on my resume?

Follow the norm of the job’s country. In the US, Canada and UK, usually leave it off — many employers avoid photos and some ATS mis-read images. In much of Europe, the Middle East, Asia and Latin America, a neat headshot is common and sometimes expected.

Will a photo break applicant-tracking systems (ATS)?

It can, if the document is parsed as text. If you include a photo, place it in the header or a layout box rather than inline, and keep a clean text version for online applications.

What size should a resume photo be?

A passport-style portrait around 3.5 × 4.5 cm (about 350 × 450 px) in the top corner or header, with a plain light background and conservative attire.

Which style is best for a CV photo?

Studio Classic or Corporate / Formal — clean background, even lighting and professional attire that complements the document instead of competing with it.