Should I include a photo on my CV?

It depends on your region and industry. If photos are uncommon or discouraged, skip it. If expected, use a clean, professional headshot.

Is a LinkedIn headshot good enough for a CV?

Often yes. CV and LinkedIn needs overlap: clean background, trust, and conservative framing.

What’s the most important thing to avoid?

Anything that reads unprofessional: messy background, harsh flash, or heavy filters.

How recent should the photo be?

Use something that reflects your current hairstyle and appearance. If you’ve changed significantly, retake it.

What should I wear in a CV photo?

The same thing you would wear to the interview. A plain shirt or a blazer over a neutral top reads as serious in almost every market, and solid colours survive being printed small. Avoid logos, loud patterns, and anything very casual.

What background should a CV photo have?

Plain, light, and uncluttered: white, light grey, or a soft neutral. Stand away from the wall so you do not cast a shadow on it, and avoid office stock backgrounds — they read as dated. Keep it simple enough that the face is the only thing to look at.

Free · On-device · No sign-up

Resume (CV) Photo Rater

AI-rates your CV photo for hireable credibility. Checks lighting, background, grooming, outfit fit, and conservative crop—then gives a quick retake plan that looks clean in PDFs.

Rate my face — freeSee the full report — $17.49 once

Your photo stays on your device for the free scan.

facial landmarks: 478; facial landmarks
reference photos: 1,088; reference photos
second scan, on your device: ~2; second scan, on your device
money-back guarantee: 7-day; money-back guarantee

Example portrait with 478 facial landmarks mapped

Example analysis

0 / 478 points

Try it on your photoJPG, PNG or WebP · front-facing · good light

Guide

The scanner measures the face in your photo. Use the guide below to review the rest of the shot.

A CV photo should look credible and calm—less “social media,” more “hireable.” This tool focuses on competence signals: lighting, grooming, background, and conservative framing.

How to use it

1Upload the photo you plan to put on your resume/CV.
2Retake near a window with a plain wall background.
3Wear a simple solid-color top that fits well.
4Keep expression neutral-friendly (slight smile).
5Use eye-level framing and avoid selfie distortion.
6Apply the top 2 fixes, then retake once for a clean version.
7Check readability at small size (PDF preview).

Before you upload

Background is clean and neutral.
Lighting is soft and even; face is fully readable.
Grooming is tidy (hair, beard, makeup, lint).
Outfit matches role expectations and is wrinkle-free.
Expression is approachable but professional.
Crop is head-and-shoulders with good headroom.
Image looks current (not 5+ years old).
No heavy beauty filters or dramatic color grading.

What matters

Trust & credibility: A calm, composed look that reads hireable rather than social.
Professionalism & polish: Tidy grooming and wrinkle-free attire that fit the role you're applying for.
Composition & framing: Conservative head-and-shoulders crop that stays readable in a PDF.
Lighting & clarity: Soft, even light with a natural skin tone and sharp focus.
Presence & confidence: A relaxed slight smile and steady posture that project reliability.

Who it's for

Applicants in regions/industries where CV photos are common.
People updating resume, portfolio, and job boards together.
Students applying for internships or graduate programs.
Career switchers who need a more “serious” look.
Anyone who wants a low-cost retake plan.
People comparing multiple photos for credibility.

Not the right tool if

If your company/country discourages CV photos (skip the photo).
If you want a creative brand headshot (use creator tools).
If you only have a low-res crop from a group photo.
If you want dating/attraction optimization.
If you need strict passport compliance.
If you want full wardrobe consulting.

Do

Use a plain wall and soft daylight.
Wear simple, well-fitted, wrinkle-free clothing.
Keep hair and facial hair neat.
Use a slight smile and relaxed eyes.
Crop head-and-shoulders; keep eyes in upper third.
Use a recent photo that matches your current look.
Preview in your CV layout to confirm readability.

Don't

Don’t use party/travel photos.
Don’t use dramatic cinematic lighting.
Don’t over-filter or face-shape edit.
Don’t use busy home backgrounds (bedroom/kitchen).
Don’t crop from low-res group photos.
Don’t wear distracting patterns or flashy accessories.
Don’t look overly casual if the role expects formality.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

The Full Report

Know what suits your face — and what to do next.

Turn one private scan into 40+ measurements across 7 facial regions, styling guidance for your face shape, and a plan ordered around your highest-leverage area.

01Understand

Your harmony profile

See what drives your result in every measured region.

Real report component · sample data

BeforeAfter

02See

Your styling concept

Visualized on your own photo. Styling only — never a change to your features.

Feature readings

Every region read from your photo — and an honest “not scored” when a front photo can't support the claim.

Face shape: Oval92% match
Canthal tilt: +3.9°slightly upturned
Eye spacing: 0.46of face width
Nose projection: Not scoredneeds a side photo

Where you sit

Placement inside the reference band — not a bare grade out of 100.

Facial thirdsExcellent

ShorterLonger

Midface ratioStrong

CompactElongated

Eye spacingExcellent

Closer-setWider-set

03Act

The ranked plan

Follow your ranked first steps and a four-week plan.

Brow framing

Targets eyebrow symmetry

Sparse tails end the frame before it finishes — the region's lowest score.

Book a professional brow shape with the tails left full-length.

Low
$25–60
1 day

The fastest visible change in the report — and it upgrades the strongest region.

Every recommendation ranked, with upkeep, cost and time to the first visible result.

More free tests

478 · x · y · z

Ready to see your face, measured?

Free scan in seconds. Your full report with a ranked plan and AI previews is $17.49, once.

Rate my face — freeor see a sample report