And that answer is…NO.
I just can’t figure out the reason - you think your ethnicity/race will be an advantage and don’t want to mention it in a cover letter? Maybe, I guess.
You think you are incredibly hot and that will help you get an interview? Take it from someone who has tried this (not using my own photo, of course - I pick them off the internet), it won’t work. (Only kidding on the example,  but not the conclusion.) Never mind what happens once someone at the organization prints out the resumes received electronically on a crappy, black and white printer - even yours truly looks less hot (if that is possible).
I will admit I see this very infrequently among people born and raised in the good ‘ole USA; it seems quite prevalent in some countries and in those countries I say go with the flow. But if you are applying for jobs with US-based organizations, I really think the flow here goes with no picture.
Upcoming posts:
- Targeting your resume - can there be too much of a good thing?
- How much education should you include?
- Applying to US employers versus overseas (non-US? foreign? - you know what I mean) employers.
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Couldn’t agree more with David’s position. I’ve interviewed candidates for positions, contracts and scholarships in at least a dozen countries of the Balkans, Caucuses, Central Asia and Eastern Europe. It was a custom to include a photograph on the resume but not a good one, merely a distraction. Less and less so now, fortunately.
A photograph and too much personal information (birth date, etc.) have no place on a professional resume.
Following Ken Hill’s comment about photos on resumes in the Balkans, EE ,based on my hiring of international staff’s less so now but still the practice exisits..it’s a total distraction as the photos are usually the “passport mug shot” mode and not attractive to say the least. It’s not common in Asia, why???
In the US the exception is actors and it has always been the practice in the performing arts profession but not for persons wanting to be hired for their skills, experience, and eduacation.
Of course, it’s standard practice now on job websites and social networks..
BTW, John ,how did you like my photo on my net c.v.?
I’ve worked a couple career fairs. I found that when a candidate had a small picture paper-clipped to their resume it was very helpful. After talking to hundreds of candidates, it made it easier to remember which resume went with which person. My advice is to do this at career fairs, but not when you are submitting resumes online.