Is it legal to ask job applicant for photo to accompany CV?

[Tiwaz]

Should be. But it should not, should being the major point, put you in worse position if you do not put picture.

Essential question is, does your appearance have significant importance for your duties? If you have to present face to customer relations, it might have some importance to your duties. In which case it would be justified.

So, illegal no. But it should not overall be grounds for not asking you for an interview. But good luck proving that you were not chosen for interviews just because you did not send photo.

[jas_rho]

Why would it not be legal? I understand both sides, but I guess its nice to see the person who is applying. But of course it is illegal to discriminate against and not hire someone because of race, age, sex, etc. But usually a company is going to see you anyway before they hire you so why not add a picture if they are asking

[aqdas]

According to Uusimaa Labour Protection Office asking for a picture is illegal

http://www.yle.fi/uutiset/news/2008/12/ ... 15082.html

[jas_rho]

According to Uusimaa Labour Protection Office asking for a picture is illegal

http://www.yle.fi/uutiset/news/2008/12/ ... 15082.html

Very interesting article.

[Upphew]

According to Uusimaa Labour Protection Office asking for a picture is illegal

Uusimaa labour protection office should try to get modeling job without picture and stop making sweeping generalizations (or more likely journalist should take some responsibility and try to make less sensationalist articles). If you have contact with customer, it really matters how you look. I'd prefer not to be called for interview because someone doesn't like my face than to go to interview and have that someone notice it there and not hire me.

[rinso]

If you have contact with customer, it really matters how you look. I'd prefer not to be called for interview because someone doesn't like my face than to go to interview and have that someone notice it there and not hire me.

That is only a minor inconvenience compared to a pre selection based on looks for non-customer related jobs.

[Upphew]

That is only a minor inconvenience compared to a pre selection based on looks for non-customer related jobs.

But it is my convenience and someone else not getting hired! "Oma napa on lähinnä."

Of course you are right about screening where looks doesn't matter: I would find it odd if phone sales company demanded photo.

[blaugrau]

Intersting.. the issue with the photo differs with the jobhunting-culture in different countries.. at least in the German-speaking countries it's a well-known must to include a photo on the CV (or at least has been for most of the last years, could be that it's changing there too), whereas that's obviously not the case elsewhere. I have never heard about it being done in Finland.

[blaugrau]

Intersting.. the issue with the photo differs with the jobhunting-culture in different countries.. at least in the German-speaking countries it's a well-known must to include a photo on the CV (or at least has been for most of the last decades, could be that it's changing there too now), whereas that's obviously not the case elsewhere. I have never heard about it being done in Finland.

[Rosamunda]

This was the article that prompted my query. A friend told me of a company ad on MOl, asking for a language trainer, which included in it's prerequisites that the applicant submit a photo along with the CV.

Most of the language schools are more or less run by foreigners (Brits, Americans etc) which may be why they ask for the photo. Not sure. I don't think it is a particularly Finnish thing. My SO (who receives tons of CVs in a multinational company) said that these days most candidates include a photo, spontaneously. He also said that when you meet candidates face to face they rarely look anything like they do in the photos (eg photos 10 yrs and 15kgs out of date!)

[onkko]

He also said that when you meet candidates face to face they rarely look anything like they do in the photos (eg photos 10 yrs and 15kgs out of date!)

My photo does that too, there is photo of me in irc.fi but after that i have had long hair without beard and now im almost bald with beard
Well thats average in photo, medium hair and some beard

[Willhelm Tell]

Intersting.. the issue with the photo differs with the jobhunting-culture in different countries.. at least in the German-speaking countries it's a well-known must to include a photo on the CV (or at least has been for most of the last years, could be that it's changing there too), whereas that's obviously not the case elsewhere. I have never heard about it being done in Finland.

blaugrau's right!...i first was sure the girl asking this is american.... wouldn't have expected finland to follow the same path.
in my eyes it should be legalized... the more the employer knows in advance the less vocational interviews are doomed to failure the less applicants get disappointed.
prohibiting this stems from the notion that physical appearance is a trait one cannot/should not be made responsible for... but what about job description requirements of cognitive skills?? neither can one be made responsible for if one is not the least brighter than a piece of wood!

[enk]

He also said that when you meet candidates face to face they rarely look anything like they do in the photos (eg photos 10 yrs and 15kgs out of date!)

My photo does that too, there is photo of me in irc.fi but after that i have had long hair without beard and now im almost bald with beard
Well thats average in photo, medium hair and some beard

You're only 31? Somehow I thought you were like 65.

-enk

[onkko]

My photo does that too, there is photo of me in irc.fi but after that i have had long hair without beard and now im almost bald with beard
Well thats average in photo, medium hair and some beard

You're only 31? Somehow I thought you were like 65.

-enk

Common misunderstanding, you should have seen faces of customers when that "polite gentleman in phone" was "young" boy
I dont even try to be polite in my private life tho so that also twist my appearance as older, i say what i think and im not brainwashed by greenred %¤"%#&"

[Pursuivant]

prohibiting this stems from the notion that physical appearance is a trait one cannot/should not be made responsible for...

which of these guys would you hire: