Welcome to City-Data.com Forum!
U.S. CitiesCity-Data Forum Index
Go Back   City-Data Forum > General Forums > Work and Employment > Job Search
 [Register]
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
View detailed profile (Advanced) or search
site with Google Custom Search

Search Forums  (Advanced)
Reply Start New Thread
 
Old 10-17-2010, 10:04 AM
 
88 posts, read 242,857 times
Reputation: 77

Advertisements

I want to make sure applicants are professional and presentable. Whats the best way I can go about this?

They apply for work online and I would like to get picture from before they come for an interview.

Also, do you think this is proper? or do you think its discrimination?
Reply With Quote Quick reply to this message

 
Old 10-17-2010, 10:24 AM
 
Location: In the Redwoods
30,286 posts, read 51,731,941 times
Reputation: 23653
It could lead to some legal messes - for example if somebody "less than attractive" is passed over, they could claim it was based on appearances. Not to mention it might raise a red flag, and make some applicants suspicious... as a woman, I'd be thinking "what is this guy up to?" and why does he need my photo? Weird.
Reply With Quote Quick reply to this message
 
Old 10-17-2010, 10:24 AM
 
Location: NJ
1,252 posts, read 3,474,810 times
Reputation: 1023
Default my .02

State your specific requirements in your job listing. As an applicant, when I see a request for a photo and it's not for a modeling job, it makes me suspicious and I won't apply. A picture will only show you that they LOOK professional and presentable, it doesn't necessarily mean they act that way. I don't think it's proper unless it's for modeling/acting or similar work and it may be seen as discrimination.
Reply With Quote Quick reply to this message
 
Old 10-17-2010, 10:57 AM
 
Location: The City That Never Sleeps
2,043 posts, read 5,510,028 times
Reputation: 3406
Quote:
Originally Posted by wannabee View Post
As an applicant, when I see a request for a photo and it's not for a modeling job, it makes me suspicious and I won't apply. A picture will only show you that they LOOK professional and presentable, it doesn't necessarily mean they act that way. I don't think it's proper unless it's for modeling/acting or similar work and it may be seen as discrimination.
As someone who has done some modeling and has a performing arts background on the side of my day job, pics are asked for all the time in the arts. Appearance is essential to the profit making and daily operations of such a business. If the position the OP is looking to fill does not require that person to be in front of a camera, on a picture canvass, on TV or on a stage, then asking for a picture is discriminatory. It will appear that way regardless. The OP will be opening himself/herself to potential liabilities. The OP can make it clear over the phone and at an interview that he is looking for a person with a professional business appearance. Asking for photos on the Internet or in a job ad also leads to the possibility that this is not a professional job - like escort, a "massage" parlor (not spa type), a scam, looking for a hooker, a worker who will also be a "girlfriend" on the side, etc. The OP can check Facebook, My Space, or any other social media source for a photo of an applicant. Otherwise, it's just plain weird to ask for that unless you are in the arts.
Reply With Quote Quick reply to this message
 
Old 10-17-2010, 11:02 AM
 
Location: The DMV
6,557 posts, read 11,182,971 times
Reputation: 8580
While this may be normal in other countries. Its definitely not here (except in the entertainment/media industry), and could create some headaches for you. I'd think it would simply be something you'll need to determine at an interview.
Reply With Quote Quick reply to this message
 
Old 10-17-2010, 11:20 AM
 
1,097 posts, read 2,038,525 times
Reputation: 1619
It is not illegal; but it certainly leaves any employer open to discrimination lawsuits.

Many quality applicants will simply skip over your job if it requires a photo, unless you are in the entertainment industry. Otherwise, many people feel, on principle, that they simply do not wish to work for an employer who makes judgments based on personal appearance. They figure you have the resumes, chose those who qualify, then sit there ruling out people based on pictures.

You appear to want to save yourself the effort of interviewing people. That is your choice. You risk:
- missing out on quality applicants because they are suspicious of your motives
- missing out on a quality applicant because of your own subtle personal prejudices
- a lawsuit from someone not hired, possibly based on age, race, sex, national origin
Reply With Quote Quick reply to this message
 
Old 10-17-2010, 11:22 AM
 
Location: Marion, IN
8,189 posts, read 31,147,652 times
Reputation: 7343
I would never apply for a position that asked for a photo. I would think the employer was a perv.
Reply With Quote Quick reply to this message
 
Old 10-17-2010, 11:24 AM
 
Location: Staten Island, New York
3,727 posts, read 7,005,640 times
Reputation: 3752
Quote:
Originally Posted by nj185 View Post
It is not illegal; but it certainly leaves any employer open to discrimination lawsuits.

Many quality applicants will simply skip over your job if it requires a photo, unless you are in the entertainment industry. Otherwise, many people feel, on principle, that they simply do not wish to work for an employer who makes judgments based on personal appearance. They figure you have the resumes, chose those who qualify, then sit there ruling out people based on pictures.

You appear to want to save yourself the effort of interviewing people. That is your choice. You risk:
- missing out on quality applicants because they are suspicious of your motives
- missing out on a quality applicant because of your own subtle personal prejudices
- a lawsuit from someone not hired, possibly based on age, race, sex, national origin
Quote:
Originally Posted by Racelady88 View Post
I would never apply for a position that asked for a photo. I would think the employer was a perv.
Agreed. Simply state in your ad, at the interviews, and when you make the offer, that a professional appearance is required.
Reply With Quote Quick reply to this message
 
Old 10-17-2010, 11:39 AM
 
Location: Chicago, IL
73 posts, read 288,126 times
Reputation: 60
Quote:
Originally Posted by RonnyR View Post
I want to make sure applicants are professional and presentable. Whats the best way I can go about this?

They apply for work online and I would like to get picture from before they come for an interview.

Also, do you think this is proper? or do you think its discrimination?
Your asking for trouble doing this.

In the past it seemed like providing "image" was a vital part of the job it was allowed. I mean when your talking about brand managers or people running promotions its common to ask for pictures with resumes and you have to be good looking.

Even a store like Abercrombie for example their associates are young, good looking, put together. However a Muslim girl recently sued them b/c they woudln't hire someone who wore those towel things, its not part of the image. I think she may have won though.

Unless image is a critical part of the job don't ask for pictures, it sounds kinda creepy too. Have people in for an interview and see if they dress appropriates, clothes ironed, etc.
Reply With Quote Quick reply to this message
 
Old 10-17-2010, 11:52 AM
 
88 posts, read 242,857 times
Reputation: 77
Quote:
Originally Posted by rulesforrebelsdotcom View Post
Your asking for trouble doing this.

In the past it seemed like providing "image" was a vital part of the job it was allowed. I mean when your talking about brand managers or people running promotions its common to ask for pictures with resumes and you have to be good looking.

Even a store like Abercrombie for example their associates are young, good looking, put together. However a Muslim girl recently sued them b/c they woudln't hire someone who wore those towel things, its not part of the image. I think she may have won though.

Unless image is a critical part of the job don't ask for pictures, it sounds kinda creepy too. Have people in for an interview and see if they dress appropriates, clothes ironed, etc.

Yeah this job is for promotions. So does it make it ok?

Also, can I request that applicants be of a certain age in the ad?

Last edited by RonnyR; 10-17-2010 at 12:03 PM..
Reply With Quote Quick reply to this message
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.

Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.


Reply
Please update this thread with any new information or opinions. This open thread is still read by thousands of people, so we encourage all additional points of view.

Quick Reply
Message:


Over $104,000 in prizes was already given out to active posters on our forum and additional giveaways are planned!

Go Back   City-Data Forum > General Forums > Work and Employment > Job Search
Similar Threads

All times are GMT -6.

© 2005-2024, Advameg, Inc. · Please obey Forum Rules · Terms of Use and Privacy Policy · Bug Bounty

City-Data.com - Contact Us - Archive 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37 - Top