Job Application, CV & Resume Photo

A CV or resume photo is the small portrait you place at the top of an application, and it does a different job from a passport photo. It still follows a tidy, formal format, but its purpose is to look professional and approachable rather than purely official. The common size is 35 by 45 millimetres at 300 dpi on a neutral background, and unlike a passport image it positively benefits from a warm, confident expression.

New to this? Our job application & CV photo requirements guide explains the sizes, backgrounds and common mistakes.

This page explains the specification, the friendlier rules that set a CV photo apart, and how our service prepares a polished portrait you can drop straight into a resume. A weak photo can quietly undercut an otherwise strong application, while a clean, confident one helps a recruiter picture you in the role. The difference usually comes down to lighting, framing and expression rather than an expensive camera.

What this photo is for

A CV photo introduces you to a recruiter before you have said a word. It needs to read as competent and likeable: a clear face, tidy business attire and a relaxed, open expression. The format borrows the clean proportions of a document photo, with the head sized correctly and the background plain, but the tone is deliberately more human. A good CV portrait feels like a confident professional looking across a desk, not a mugshot.

Exact specification

Prepare the portrait to these measurements. The head height should be approximately 33.75 millimetres, sitting between 60 and 80 percent of the image height, measured from the chin to the top of the head; that slightly fuller framing keeps the face prominent on a resume. Use a plain, evenly lit white or neutral background. Look straight at the camera, and here you may smile naturally and keep a warm, open expression.

• Output size: 35 x 45 mm at 300 dpi (about 1.38 x 1.77 in)
• Head height: around 33.75 mm, roughly 60-80 percent of the frame
• Background: plain white or neutral, evenly lit, no clutter
• Expression: natural smile and approachable look are encouraged
• Glasses: allowed, provided the eyes are visible without glare
• Headwear: not permitted
• File: JPG up to 2 MB

Expression, glasses and attire

This is where a CV photo differs most from an identity document. A genuine, easy smile is welcome and helps you come across as confident and friendly; you do not have to hold the neutral, closed-mouth face required by passport rules. Glasses are allowed, so wear your everyday pair if that is how colleagues recognise you, just make sure the lenses are clear and reflection-free so your eyes stay visible. Head coverings worn as fashion are not permitted. For clothing, choose simple business attire in solid colours; a collar, a jacket or a smart top all photograph well and reinforce a professional impression.

What makes a CV photo work

The strongest resume photos share a few traits. The lighting is soft and even, so there are no harsh shadows across the face. The crop is head-and-shoulders, with the eyes around the upper third of the frame. The background is plain and quiet so nothing competes with your face. The expression is relaxed and the eye contact is direct. Avoid casual holiday snaps, group photos cropped down to one person, heavy filters or dim indoor lighting, all of which undermine the professional effect you are after.

How we prepare your photo

Send us a clear, front-facing picture and our service turns it into a clean CV portrait. We replace a busy or uneven background with a calm white or neutral field, balance the lighting and colour so your skin tone looks natural, and crop the image to a flattering head-and-shoulders composition with the head sized inside the 60-80 percent band. The portrait is exported as a 35 by 45 millimetre JPG at 300 dpi, kept under the 2 MB limit, sharp enough to look crisp on screen and in print.

Print and digital

Most resumes are read on screen, so the file is designed to sit neatly at the top of a digital document or a professional profile. Because it is produced at 300 dpi it also prints cleanly at 35 by 45 millimetres if you submit a printed CV or a portfolio. Keep the JPG and reuse it across your applications and profiles so your professional image stays consistent wherever a recruiter meets you.