Picture with resume-Necessary or unnecessary?

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I am fiddling around with resume templates in Pages (the Mac equivalent of Microsoft Word), and one template has a placeholder for a picture. Last year I took some professional portraits so that I could put something on my Linkedin profile, and for this template in Pages, I added one of those photos. I was wondering, is it necessary to attach a face to my resume. Do I put myself in danger by putting a photo in my resume? It's a professional looking photo, but could it hurt me more than help me?

BTW, let me add that Pages has far more professional looking resume templates than Microsoft Word. Any Mac owners who don't have it yet should get it.

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Specializes in HH, Peds, Rehab, Clinical.

Me personally? Hayle no!

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I have read that you should only put a picture with your resume if you are applying for modeling or acting jobs.

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Specializes in Trauma-Surgical, Case Management, Clinic.

I think a picture would give employers a reason to discriminate if they have certain prejudices. In CA I've seen a lot of jobs that request a head shot with your resume. Mostly restaurant and front desk positions, but in nursing I have seen several job postings for surgery centers looking for RNs and requesting a head shot. I think that is crazy but I guess it's just a superficial atmosphere.

To answer your question, I don't think a pic is necessary. On the other hand, if you are interested in a specific employer and they are known for hiring people of a certain race, age, ect. and you fit into one of those categories it could give you a step up in the hiring process. Not saying it's right, but that's how the world works sometimes.

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