O/T presenting yourself with online applications - pic or no pic?

This is more of a modern etiquette question I think. I have been searching for work and most jobs now have you apply online. It feels very impersonal and I think the human connection part is very important, especially for hospitality positions. I have been getting no response to simply attaching a resume and waiting. Today I decided to give a quick upbeat note, my resume, and a small face shot of myself. Is this bad form? I figured at this point, I have nothing to lose anyway! And honestly, in food and beverage, being presentable to the public is a huge part of the job.
What do we think? Is pasting a pic of yourself a good move or totally cheesey?

yay - use whatever tools you can to snag a job
nay - this is not a dating service, or Hollywood. Keep your headshots to yourself!

13 years ago

General

6 replies

Latest reply was from christieanne

Anonymous

I am not sure if attaching a picture is bad form. I would say at this point, you should try it at least, to see what kind of response you get.

13 years ago

christy

Veteran

Interesting question. On professional networking sites like LinkedIn, they say you get better results when you have a photo attached to your profile (as long as it's not a glamour shot!). You know how you can create a signature line in your email? Maybe you could add a photo there along with your contact info? Or, if you don't have a LinkedIn profile, you could get one and then include a link to your profile in your signature line?

13 years ago

Kari

Veteran

Mo, in the past, I would have said no photo - but LinkedIn and other professional networking sites are changing the game!

A couple different perspectives on the issue:
http://compliancesearch.com/wa.....e-over-50/
http://technorati.com/women/ar.....-photo-on/

13 years ago

(website)

Veteran

yeah, when I applied to Chart House recently it had you route through a place called My Gig. Not only was there a place for a photo, but there was opportunity to link up a youtube video of yourself giving the 'hire me' pitch! That sort of shifted my idea of what 'appropriate' is nowadays. I don't know anymore!

13 years ago

KeepTheKey

(website)

Active Member

Okay, so it's been a long time since I've participated, but I just had to chime in on this one!

I say it's a big, fat YES! I put a small picture of myself on my resume. Just a nice, flattering picture. I got a call right away for an interview, interviewed well and was hired on pretty quickly. Months later, my manager told me that she called me because I was bold enough to put a picture on my resume.

Maybe some will disagree with me, but I feel that as a beautiful woman I should use it to my advantage, just not in a sneaky or manipulative way.

Society values beauty, right? And while we may not want to be seen as objects, we must admit to ourselves that we will be seen that way sometimes. I say use your appearance to get a foot in the door, then WOW them with your amazing personality, intelligence and skillz

That silly receptionist position I got because of my picture has turned into 2 promotions in less than a year. I make great money doing what I do, and I love my job. Yes, my diligence and hard work got me those promotions, but the picture got me the interview

Find a picture of yourself that you love, and be confident. Make no apologies for valuing you beauty, and get a job

13 years ago

christieanne

Veteran

Especially if the tools are available (such as mygig or linkedin) then yay. Once someone gave me an in-person resume with a picture printed on it and that was weird.

13 years ago

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