Employers asking for pictures of yourself - anyone else notice this? (employees, job application)

[andywire]

Originally Posted by HansProof

But then again, we're dealing with a different type of people; not the dog-eat-dog, back stabbing, there are no morals in business type people. Blue collar employers are more lenient, more wanting to know just "who" your are, more likely to be not just looking for an employee but a weekend hunting/biker/bbq and beer buddy. There is simply much more personal interaction in such work so general demeanor and personality hold a significant place in the determination process.

You and I must have very different blue collar jobs. My boss does not give a crap about "who I am", so long as the work is good. I honestly wouldn't have it any other way

And if someone wants to get too chatty with me during work time, I will promptly remove myself from the distraction. Beer and bbq on Sunday, I'm game though.

[nerdasaurus]

I am loving these responses! It's just such an absurd practice! I went on Craigslist and tried to find a few examples of what I'm talking about:

This one is rather passive-aggressive!

Now hiring restaurant staff for busy restaurant/nightclub in the Newport Beach.

-Positions available include: bartenders, bar backs, marketing assistants
-Candidates must be available for holidays, weekends and the summer months.

Please respond with (1)resume/ related work history and (2)picture/ head shot if interested.WE WILL RESPOND to applicants we are interested in with details about where and when interviews will take place, PLEASE DO NOT apply in person unless we contact you!! Thanks!

Sharkeez Newport Beach (WE MEAN IT, DO NOT walk in, must apply through email.)

*Please copy and paste resume into email as well as an attachment.

This one is from a listing for a receptionist position:

Interested candidates should submit a resume and availability. Please write "Receptionist/Office Assistant" in the subject line of your email. If you cannot start immediately, please do not respond. Also, please include a picture or your resume will not be reviewed. Thank you.

This one is from a server listing, with some odd questions included:

Please submit your resume along with a picture of yourself!

Also, in a few short sentences, please answer the following questions:
1. Do you consider yourself a rockstar?
2. Are you a dog or cat person?
3. What do you see yourself doing in 5 years?
4. Do you speak another language?

Here's yet another one from a cashier listing:

Please email me a picture and a resume if available.

Here's one from a listing specifically asking for female servers:

Only those responses with a resume and a picture will be considered for interviews.

There are many more examples of this, but these are just a few for you guys to get an idea of what I'm talking about.

[manderly6]

These were all job postings from Craig's List? That would explain a lot.

[pvande55]

When I was first looking for work I was told do not put a picture on your resume, though some candidates did.

[andywire]

Hey, they demand good looking people. It's a buyers market right now...

[HansProof]

I think people generally know if a picture will help or hurt their chances.

I'm of the opinion if you got the aesthetically pleasing goods, bring it

[313Weather]

Originally Posted by Alaskan Mutt

Maybe they are checking to see if it matches any of the pictures on the Post office wall...Only kidding.

One possiblity that comes to mind is they are using the pictures to weed out applicants that do not meet their appearance standards. Whether or not this is legal I do not know.

It's legal unfortunately.

While it's probable that they're using the pictures to illegally discriminate, there's no way to prove it.

[miu]

I've heard that in Korea, that it is a requirement to send a head shot with a resume. While it seems weird to me, nowadays with everyone being on FaceBook and posting pictures of themselves, maybe it's not such a big deal. After all, the employers are going to see you sooner or later during the interviewing process. No one gets hired without being met in person.

A head shot is going to show if you are a happy and confident person. And it will weed out people with inappropriate styling. And that is important to any employer if that new hire is going to be visible to their customers. I imagine that odd looking hairdos and loud makeup are things that some employers would like to avoid dealing with.

[BigDGeek]

Nope, I have never been asked to provide a photo.

[Java378]

I wish we could ask for headshots on rental applications.