To photo or not to photo on a CV
 

What is the general consensus about putting a photo on a CV?

I haven't recently had any mirrors shatter on me, but is it a good idea?

Any top tips from the aviation masses?

I wouldn't, but I am ugly!:}

Seriously though, I think EVERYTHING you include in your CV should be justified by you. Ask yourself, "will this make me more employable?" If the answer is no, then don't include it. I personally don't think a picture in a CV makes you more employable. If the company you are applying to want a picture then that is different, but usually they are the ones who have an application form so the CV is redundant with them.....

Good luck anyhow.

PP

It may not make you more employable, but people remember faces not names, so it will make you more memorable. I’ve always put a photo on my CV. Just make sure it’s a good one, otherwise you may be remembered for the wrong reasons.

Yup - nice neat haircut and a good quality, neat, traditional jacket/shirt/tie combination should work pretty well. Rather than use one of these machines, you might want to go to a studio and have then take a few passport sized piccies - might be better quality and they will be able to make you look better with better lighting etc. (I need all the help I can get) :-)


hufty.

Purely on cost reasons alone I have never included a photo on my CV's. It might be a good idea if you're backing up your CV's with visits and getting your face known within the inner circle of airlines at functions, gatherings at airfields, PPRuNe bashes and so on... so if cost is not a factor it ain't a bad idea. Then again; we are applying for a job which has sod all to do facial looks but on how you perform professionally so the reverse of all this is that it may be misinterpreted and forwarded to cabin crew recruitment. ;)

At the end of the day, we can all put on a sensible face and walk the walk - met plenty of guys who thought that was all they needed to do. Get a few beers down their necks and the 'real them' comes out. In my experience, those who look like they can't, talk like they can't, and sometimes even act like they can't are actually the superior pilots when all is said and done - which when you think about it kinda makes sense as odd as it might seem.

Beware of putting on too much venear is what I'm trying to say. But then what do I know?! :ugh:

VFE.

I think it looks really naff!

If the airline want a picture of you, they'll ask. Consequently, nearly every application form I've completed has asked for photograph(s). I believe including one with your CV or as part of it, is jumping the gun a little.

BA don't even ask for photographs until you turn up for your selection day.

Save your time and money and don't look a fool! :bored:

Just my pennies worth!

LOC :ok:

Agree with Localiser.

Don't see the point. I have seen many formats of CV, both in aviation and other walks of life. I still think the best is a one page, simply laid out black and white bold sheet of paper. I know of one chief pilot who bins ones that get e mailed to him but take longer than 2 secs to download.

I went to a pro photographer, got a few pics done, scanned them in onto my CV, in colour and ever since I’ve been sending CV’s out I’ve had results and job interviews. Looking smart with a short haircut, shirt and tie and a smile to go with it did the trick for me. Apparently statistics show that you will be 30% more successful.

Also bare in mind that when the 20 year old secretary who, has to segregate hundreds of CVs a month, she might like the look of your pic and purely based on her “oh he looks cute :cool: ” thing, might put you in the right pile, then again it might go the other way :} This secretary is real, it’s a true story.

Nuff said, good luck with whatever you choose.

New F/O :ok:

And if you have a face like a smacked arse? What then?

VFE.

"And if you have a face like a smacked arse? What then?"

Give yer self another smack as you clearly deserve it!

:}

Unless an employer asks for a photo, there is no need to put one in. They employ pilots, not people of certain appearance. If no photo is included, they will assume you are smart and well presented unless you prove otherwise. To do so in a photo would be very counter-productive.

In my opinion, unsolicited photo's with CVs just give people an opportunity to exercise their prejudices - believe me, it happens! I would generally counsel against it.

Scroggs

Just have to recount an application for Cabin Crew (we were runing one Seneca at the time?)we had through a few years ago, a covering letter of no more than 20 words, and a full A4 glossy photo, obviously professionally done. She was indeed very pleasing on the eye, so I guess if you are stunning don't bother with a CV, just a photo, for the rest of us a CV is appropriate without a photo.

Phil

So to summarise: The decision to put a photo on a cv depends on whether you have a face like a smacked @rse or you're a real cutie.