In short: in France, a resume photo is optional and increasingly avoided because it can introduce bias. In the United States, the United Kingdom and Canada, never include one; in Germany, it's often still expected.
Resume photos: it depends on the country
"Should I put a photo on my resume?" is one of the questions candidates ask most, and the only honest answer is: it depends on the country you're applying to. A practice that's normal in Germany can disqualify your application in the United States.
In France: optional, and increasingly discouraged
In France, a photo isn't mandatory and no law requires one. Historically common, it's increasingly avoided today for a simple reason: it introduces bias. A photo gives the recruiter information (apparent age, gender, perceived background) that has nothing to do with your skills and that can, consciously or not, count against you.
An ATS doesn't read photos. At best it ignores them; at worst, placed in a frame or image area, a photo disrupts text extraction and drags your score down. If you're unsure, leaving the photo off is the safest choice for a French CV that needs to get through automated filters. It's also one of the points our analysis checks: see how to optimize your CV for ATS software.
Where to leave the photo off
In English-speaking countries, a photo is not just pointless but counterproductive:
- United States: leave it off. Recruiters often set aside resumes with photos to protect themselves against discrimination claims.
- United Kingdom: leave it off, for the same reasons.
- Canada: leave it off (with exceptions such as modeling or certain jobs in Quebec, but the general rule is no photo).
- Australia and Ireland: leave it off.
In these countries, sending a resume with a photo signals that you don't know local conventions, and that alone can get your application rejected.
Where a photo is expected
Conversely, some countries treat the photo as a standard part of a professional CV:
- Germany: a professional photo (the *Bewerbungsfoto*) is expected, often taken by a photographer.
- Austria: same practice as Germany.
- Switzerland: a photo is common.
- In parts of Southern Europe (Spain, Italy, Portugal) and Latin America, a photo is still frequent.
If you include a photo: the rules
When a photo is expected or you choose to add one:
- A professional photo, portrait framing, neutral background, attire suited to your industry.
- No selfies, no cropped vacation shots, no filters.
- Placed at the top, without spilling over the text or breaking the layout for the ATS.
- Decent resolution but a lightweight file.
Country-by-country summary
| Country | Photo on the resume |
|---|---|
| France | Optional (better avoided) |
| United States | No |
| United Kingdom | No |
| Canada | No |
| Australia | No |
| Germany | Yes (expected) |
| Austria | Yes (expected) |
| Switzerland | Yes (common) |
| Spain / Italy | Often |
Let CVpass handle the photo by country
Instead of memorizing each country's rules, choose your destination on CVpass: the tool automatically removes the photo (and personal information) when the target country requires it, and keeps it when it's expected. The resume you download meets the local recruiter's standards.
Further reading
- Resumes in English: adapting your CV to apply abroad
- How to optimize your CV for ATS software in France
- Why Canva resumes are invisible to recruiters
A resume that meets the standards of the country you're applying to. Test and adapt my resume on CVpass