Career Questions and Answers
Should I apply for office job that requires a photo with application?
Asked by PollyPine
I've only been asked to send a photograph with a kids entertainer job, and that was because it was to show how fun you are.
This office junior/receptionist job sounds perfect, except it askes for a photograph along with CV and covering letter. Is this normal? All the office jobs I've applied to before has never asked.
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Best Answer:
No. It's sexist.How would it make you feel if you got the job. Would you not feel as if you got the job for your looks not your ability ?
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i have never heard of that either but it might be a way of them remebering who you are, like how they have in the x factor! =)
Answered by kinkykirsty92
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Managing a medical office, it has been written up in some of our notices that we should get photo IDs to put in charts. Also, a lot of corporations have been taking photos and even putting them on your company tags for easy identification, and security purposes.
So this is coming the more usual than not to be asked to submit a photo for the files.
Answered by Gypsygrl
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I cant see a problem with this request. I worked in a hospital pharmacy and all members of staff had to have an ID photgraph taken by security dept.
Many years ago I worked for a company in the Defence Industry and had to have a photo ID.
I am no retired and have a volunteering job working the the Court system and need a photograph ID.
I dont believe its sexist as someone has suggested or that it has some ulterior motive behind it.
You may also find if you are working with children you will asked to fill in a Disclosure form which is standard practice these days.
Answered by bty81216349
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I can't see why not but that sounds like discrimination because they obv want someone for their looks not ability.
Answered by :-)
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The photo can be good and bad. It's illegal to hire/not hire anyone based on your looks-but at the same time since this job is for working with children, they obviously want your photo so they can judge you---they judge on looks-not on personality. So, that's sad.
Answered by Redhead
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I think this situation is a "If it doesn't seem right to you, then don't do it" type issue. I personally wouldn't submit my picture when applying for a job. This can sway the hiring manager to hire a person based on looks and not skills. Plus it's a poor reflection of the company you are considering applying for.
Also note, Redhead is not correct by saying it's illegal to discriminate based on looks. There is no law saying that a company can hire based on looks or attractivness alone. Abercrombie and Fitch has done this practice for years (and has admitted it), hiring people who fit their products (white, blond with blue eyes) and pushing others in the back. They got in trouble because they didn't present the same opportunities for others.
Answered by Gary
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It is not illegal to ask for a photograph in a job application. But, like any employment screening question, the employer would:
1. Have to ask all job applicants to undertake the same action
2. Have a valid reason for asking it
3. Ensure that the use of the information was not discriminatory
Much as thought it would be illegal to ask you to state your age/race/sex, the same information is clearly given freely when you include a photograph. Hence, why are they asking you to include a photograph, and how much weight does the photograph have in the selection process?
For example, the entertainer job which involves a visual element to its requirements, which they sensibly posed as how "fun" you are, would be legal: state need, state why, state weight/judgement. Where as, my concern of asking for a photo for what is described as an office junior/receptionist job, would be that it discriminates potentially on age, race, sex, ability, etc.
I hence conclude that in this case, this is an illegal employment question.
A few years ago, asking for photos was common practise. You will still often find for big companies, that they often take a photo of you just to remind themselves of you at interview - but that's after they have screened you, not before. Photo's now are generally considered a discriminatory request in job applications, and most often avoided - this sounds like an out of date practise.
You now have three options:
1. Take a photo, and apply for the job. Personally, I wouldn't
2. Pick up the phone, and ask them a few questions, including why they are asking for a photo?
3. Report the advert to your local Trading Standards office (found via your local council offices or Yell.com), as potentially discriminatory. They have presently only potentially broken advertising law, not employment law
If you are human spirited and community driven, then I hope you will take option3. What are frankly stupid and ancient discriminatory practises need to be stopped.
Good Luck!
Answered by Ian
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no-that's discrimination.
Answered by Richard
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