Should You Include a Photo on Your Resume in 2026?

[AlessandraLee]

For most job applications today, you should not include a photo on your resume or application in the US, UK, Canada, or Australia. It’s a practice that has largely disappeared from professional recruiting in these regions, primarily because of equal opportunity and anti-discrimination laws. Including a headshot can actually hurt your chances by introducing unconscious bias, and it takes up valuable space on your one-page resume.

Recruiters and hiring managers are trained to focus on your skills, experience, and qualifications. A photo can distract from that. It might lead to snap judgments about your age, race, gender, or appearance. Many companies now use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to scan resumes. These systems parse text, not images. A photo can confuse the ATS, causing it to misread your file or reject it entirely. A 2023 survey by the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) found that over 80% of US employers prefer a text-only resume format.

Here is a quick comparison of how photos are viewed in different professional contexts:

Context	Photo Recommended?	Common Practice
Resume for US/UK/Canada	No	Text-only, factual format.
LinkedIn Profile	Yes	Professional headshot is standard.
Acting/Modeling Portfolio	Yes	Essential for casting directors.
Some European Countries	Varies	Still common in Germany, France, Belgium.

If you are applying for a role in a country where photos are customary, or if you are in a creative field like entertainment, then a photo may be appropriate. But for corporate, tech, finance, healthcare, or most standard office jobs in English-speaking countries, leave it out. Replace that space with a strong summary of your achievements and relevant keywords.

[ColtonFitz]

I wouldn't do it. I've been on both sides of the hiring table for over a decade, and a photo on a resume screams "I'm new to this market." It makes me wonder if you know the local norms. In the US, it's a huge red flag for HR because it opens the door to bias claims. Save your headshot for your LinkedIn profile, where it belongs. That's the place for a personal touch. Your resume is for cold, hard facts.

[AmyDella]

No photo. Period. I run a small team and I use a free ATS to sort applications. It crashes when it hits an image file. I literally can't see your resume if you attach a photo. Also, I'm not supposed to know your race or age before I interview you. It's a legal minefield. Just give me the text. I need to find your Python skills and your last job title, not see your vacation hair.

[MasonLynn]

It depends on the industry, but in 2026, the default answer is no. For tech, finance, or law, a photo is a distraction. The exception is if you're in hospitality, fashion, or customer-facing roles where appearance is part of the brand. In those cases, a clean, professional headshot on a separate portfolio page is fine. But never embed it in the resume file itself. You want to be judged on your competence, not your smile.

[DiKeegan]

I'd skip it. I'm a hiring manager and I've seen hundreds of resumes. A photo never made me call someone. It actually made me more cautious. I have to justify why I chose a candidate. If I have a photo, I have to prove I didn't consider it. That's extra paperwork. Focus on your results. Use numbers. Show me you increased sales by 20%. That's what gets you an interview, not a picture of your face. Your photo goes on the badge after you're hired.