should a resume have a photo
In the US, UK, Canada, Australia and Ireland, don't put a photo on your resume; in Japan, South Korea, Germany and France a photo is expected. CV Desk — Instant ATS score + recruiter-ready templates.
Short answer
Photo norms split sharply by country. In the US, UK, Canada, Australia and Ireland a photo is discouraged and can raise discrimination concerns, so it's left off. In Japan and South Korea a passport-style photo is effectively required, and in Germany and France it's customary. When applying abroad, follow the convention of the country where the job is based.
CV Desk's current App Store listing describes an on-device 0–100 ATS estimate, free resume building and preview, and a one-time unlock for watermark-free PDF and editable DOCX export. It requires no account, upload or subscription. Always adapt the resume manually to the role, country and employer instructions.
What to look for before choosing
- No photo for US/UK/CA/AU/IE resumes.
- Photo expected in JP/KR (and customary DE/FR).
- Follow the target country's norm.
- If used, a professional headshot only.
- Keep the rest of the header lean.
A practical decision process
- Check where the job is based.
- Apply that country's photo convention.
- Build the resume in CV Desk.
- Add or omit the photo accordingly.
- Export a clean PDF.
Quick comparison
| Need | What to check | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Check whether useful features require a subscription, a one-time unlock, or neither. | The cheapest app on day one may not be cheapest after a year. |
| Privacy model | Prefer on-device work when the content is sensitive. | Private documents, resumes, study data, and family content deserve careful handling. |
| Export / lock-in | Confirm file formats, sharing, backup, and deletion controls. | A good app should help you finish the task, not trap your work. |
Where CV Desk fits
CV Desk can provide an on-device resume preflight and editing workflow. Its ATS score is an estimate and cannot guarantee parsing, ranking, an interview or an offer.
Pay onceNo watermarkPDF & Word
This is a publisher-authored buying guide from the app developer. App Store features and prices can change, so confirm details on the listing before purchase.
FAQ
Should a resume have a photo?
Not in the US/UK/Canada/Australia/Ireland; yes in Japan/South Korea and customarily in Germany/France.
Why no photo in the US?
Anti-discrimination norms mean recruiters prefer resumes without photos.
What if I apply abroad?
Follow the convention of the country where the role is based.