Should I Include a Photo on my CV for Sri Lankan Jobs?
Are you looking for a job in Sri Lanka? Be it in the private sector or government, writing a compelling CV is imperative when seeking a job. How about it in Sri Lanka? Should you include a photo on your CV for Sri Lankan Jobs? Let’s discuss.
Should I Include a Photo on my CV for Sri Lankan Jobs?
In Sri Lanka, whether to include a photo on your CV can depend largely on the industry, company culture, and specific job role. As you can understand, Sri Lankan culture, in particular, is a little different from Western countries, and it is the same with the job you are applying for.
While there are no strict rules requiring a CV photo, we highly recommend reading the below-mentioned factors when deciding whether to include your photo on your CV or not for jobs in Sri Lanka.
When applying for certain jobs such as marketing, hospitality, media, and customer services, it will help if you have your photo on your CV. It gives the company an initial impression of how you look and how you would present in front of potential clients.
In addition, if you are seeking a corporate job in Sri Lanka, where your expertise plays a role rather than your outlook, including a photo might not be needed.
Simply put, having a photo may work to your advantage, as well as the opposite. So, as we explained, consider the job type and the culture when deciding to include a photo on your CV.
Pros and Cons of Including a Photo on a CV in Sri Lanka
Although some of these might not be unique to Sri Lanka, we thought it would help if you knew the advantages and disadvantages of having a photo on a CV. Here they are.
Pros
- A photo can help create a memorable impression right away. This is especially true for small and medium-sized companies where you would face clients directly in your day-to-day job.
- A well-taken photo is always a sign of confidence, and your CV is the first chance you get to notify your employer that you are a confident soul. It may help you stand out if a company has a more personable, informal culture.
- The industries that we explained earlier that require public-facing elements might prefer resumes with a photo over a resume that doesn’t.
Cons
- Most of the companies in Sri Lanka aim for unbiased recruitment. However, a photo in certain situations can negatively impact your application.
- Having a photo on your CV can shift the focus of your employer from your qualifications. This can lead to divert their attention from the essential aspects of your CV.
- Including a photo on the CV is still less common in Sri Lanka, especially in small and medium-sized companies. So your CV could look unusual if you include one!
Alternate Options You Can Consider Instead of Including a Photo on Your CV
So, if you decide not to include a photo on your resume, here are some other methods you can use to express yourself.
Your LinkedIn Profile
If you are sending your CV using an online method like an email, you can include a link to your LinkedIn profile on the CV. LinkedIn profiles are often used nowadays to check the professional background of applicants, and it is something you can use to your advantage rather than just including your photo on the resume.
Link to Your Portfolio Website
If you have a portfolio website, you can mention it on your CV. Although this might not be applicable to all types of jobs, you can make use of a portfolio website if you are seeking a job in industries such as marketing, writing, or designing.
There are other methods, such as video introductions, linking to published articles, and QR codes for additional information. However, as far as we are concerned, those methods may not work with regular job applications in Sri Lanka as most companies don’t dig deep to check on them, at least for now.
What Type of Jobs in Sri Lanka Should I have My Photo on CV?
Well, as we explained earlier, if the job you apply for has duties with public interactions, then having a photo will be an advantage to a certain degree.
For example, if you are applying for a TV presenter’s role, your outlook and academic qualifications matter. However, things might not be the same for a radio presenter in the same field. Still, as we all know now, most Sri Lankan radio channels are now streaming on YouTube. So, consider such things when deciding.
Here are some more job roles where having a photo on your CV would be advantageous.
- Hotel staffs
- Sales personals
- Real estate agents
- Models
- Social media influencers
- Advertising
- PR specialists
- Brand ambassadors
- Content creators
- Tutors
Conclusion
We hope now you know what types of job resumes you can consider having your photo on. Including a photo on your CV is not a bad thing at all, and it is slowly but surely becoming a common thing in Sri Lanka as well compared to the last decade or so.
If you are not confident enough to have your photo, you can consider other methods like mentioning your LinkedIn profile link on the resume, depending on the company and the post you apply to. If you need more input from us, please let us know in the comment section. Have a great day!
