Adding your picture on your resume

[JerseyBoy]

I noticed the standard Japanese resume form include the small box where you add your picture and I also noticed many job-match-maker companies also ask for the picture. Maybe I've been in the states too long (I have not heard of such request in USA during the job hunting process until actually landing a job); for some reasons, I feel annoyed with that. For non-Janaese people on this forum, did you feel that requirement could be used by the employers to pick only the beauty over the beast regardless that person's qualifications? My opinion is based on my experience in USA; so, I am not sure if other countries (such as EU member countries) also practice the same way toward the job applicants during the screening/interviewing process.

 

[leonmarino]

I noticed the standard Japanese resume' form include the small box where you add your picture and I also noticed many job-match-maker companies also ask for the picture. Maybe I've been in the states too long (I have not heard of such request in USA during the job hunting process until actually landing a job); for some reasons, I feel annoyed with that. For non-Janaese people on this forum, did you feel that requirement could be used by the employers to pick only the beauty over the beast regardless that person's qualifications? My opinion is based on my experience in USA; so, I am not sure if other countries (such as EU member countries) also practice the same way toward the job applicants during the screening/interviewing process.

Intersting topic. I learned at my study of International Business Administration that personnel policies in the US are really strict; human resource managers may not demand pictures with the resumes (unless it is for some modelling job of course), not ask about ethicity, religion and so forth. I believe I heard also something about sending resumes without names because that can lead to discrimination as well. Is there any truth in that?

Holland is also pretty strict, but I guess Japan is not that strict in that sense. I have understood that it is indeed common to send pictures with your resumes. I wonder what the cause for this is, and I'm pretty sure it leads to some sort of discrimination. (Not because there are Japanese people, but people in general tend to discriminate.)

 

[Glenski]

First of all, you are talking about 2 different things -- the standard Japanese resume (rirekisho) and the non-Japanese resume. Usually, non-Japanese people are not expected to use the rirekisho.

You can get by with a "normal" resume and not include a picture, but if you are hired, you will have to provide a photo anyway for visa purposes. Some employers may want to see your face, too, before they decide, and you just have to learn to accept that. They will also sometimes want certain information that you would consider discriminatory in your home country (marital status, kids, date of birth), but these things can be used in your favor for higher salaries, so learn to ignore that feeling. Put the information on your resume to speed up the application process.

Foreigners have to develop a thick skin here to get past certain cultural differences. Don't let the little things get to you, or you will be very disappointed and frustrated here.

 

[epigene]

Isn't JerseyBoy a Japanese national?

The idea of pasting your photo on a rirekisho has been practiced in Japan long before the concept of personal privacy was introduced. So, if you have to use that standard form, you'll have to assume that you must attach a face photo.

However, it seems that you're looking for a job with foreign or multinational companies? If so, I think you can manage by submitting a Western-style resume (without photo), unless it is required specifically by the company. I have experience of submitting a photo-less resume in the past and getting hired.

 

[kenasto]

> submitting a Western-style resume (without photo)
What is Western-style for you and what makes you think it doesn't include a photo? Sending a photo with the application is common in many so called Western countries.

Even though I understand the concern about discrimination, isn't it natural that someone wants to see the person he is hiring? After all an employer hires real people. In almost all of the cases this will not be about choosing the best looking applicant, except for jobs where looks do make a big difference.

 

[misa.j]

Sending a photo with the application is common in many so called Western countries.

Would you kindly tell us in which countries it is common? I've worked at four different places in the US and was never asked to submit my photos especially with my resume. It might happen after you are actually employed to make a photo ID; still depends on the size and the type of your job, though.

Jerseyboy, there seems to be many companies in Japan that accept and even prefer resume of your own, not the one you can buy at a store. I'd say work on the content and not to worry about photos so much.

 

[undrentide]

Maybe it depends on the country.
Once I saw a CV of my friend in Hungary, and it did have a photo.
(It was written in Hungarian and he was submitted it to a Hungarian company.)
I found an interesting page explaning CV form in different countries.
I checked some Western Europe section, many say "attach a photo".
Are you ready to work in Europe? - Euro Graduate # Best Guide For College Students

 

[ArmandV]

Including photos in the U.S. is not encouraged, I have heard. The prospective employer may find that you resemble the guy his wife ran off with and not even consider interviewing you.

 

[NekoMama7]

You need to first consider the differences in laws between US and Japan when it comes to resumes.

In the US, it is against the law for potential employers to ask the applicant's race, color, country of origin, marital status, religion, age, etc. As the photos reveal the ethnicity, race, age, etc., it is discouraged (to the point of banned) to request a photo of the applicant, unless the job is for acting or modeling where the headshots are required.

In Japan, it is my understanding that in addition to the resume with photos, employers can limit the age and/or sex of the applicant for many positions. I don't think it is prohibited for potential employers to ask their applicants personal questions that are prohibited in the US.

That being said, and provided that Jersey Boy is a Japanese national, if Jersey Boy is seeking employment in Japan, it is expected that you submit a rirekisho no matter what. You may want to add an English resume with your rirekisho if it is requested or if you think it's beneficial. Unless you secure a position while you are in the US (as an expat), you'll probably need to go through what everyone else does in Japan.

You may want to attend one of those job fairs held in the US for college grads of Japanese nationals. I see ads in Japanese community papers and Front Line from time to time. You'll probably get proper information and more insights appropriate for you in such forums. It may be beneficial for you to get in touch with recruiters in New York City that specialize in Japanese companies.

Even if you don't have any working experiences in Japan, if you are seeking employment in Japan, well, you know what they say, do in Rome as Romans do. Until the law is changed to prohibit including a photo in your resume, we just have to deal with it, like it or not.

 

[kenasto]

> Would you kindly tell us in which countries it is common? I've worked at four different places in the US...

From you experience in different places in the U.S. you seem to make a conclusion for all Western countries. This is a habit that critics in many "other" Western countries blame Americans for. (BTW, I am not one of them, I love this country.)


> Until the law is changed to prohibit including a photo in your resume, we just have to deal with it, like it or not.

I don't believe it will be changed and I don't think it should be. From history the situation in the U.S. is understandable. But protecting equality doesn't have to go that far. It is just natural that people want to see the applicant they are considering for a job. In most cases they are going to make an economical decision based on qualifications and won't choose by looks. And if they did and you were not the one chosen, you wouldn't want to work for that person anyway, would you.

 

[JerseyBoy]

It is a fact any employer can use the age, looks, ethnicity, and etc as a sole reason for not hiring an applicant. So, in a way, providing the photo and age up front would be a good way to avoid beating around the bush. If an employer is not interested in an applicant by looking at the resume / rirekisho (rather, by looking at anything other than the actual qualifications), that would cut down on the time and effort for an applicant as he/she can focus on other opportunities.

I am not ugly looking; so, I am not worried about the looks. If I have some pimples or some blemishes on the skin, I will just photoshop them out. I have a great Photoshop skill and am good with portrait pictures. There is no point making yourself ugly with poor photography.

I also noticed Japanese employers provide the age limitation on the job advertisements. Some people say that is discriminatory; but, it is no secret employers use any reason for not choosing a particular applicant as long as they can keep their actual reasons within themselves.

My take is this is like you are saying out loud what you are going to do, while the other is like you are going to do it anyway even though you are not saying it out loud.