Does your résumé photograph tell who you are?

• Published in: Personality and individual differences Vol. 104; pp. 186 - 189
• Main Authors: Fernandez, Sébastien, Stosic, Gorm, Terrier, Lohyd
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 01-01-2017
• Subjects: Big five; Cues; LinkedIn; Personality; Résumé; Selection; Cues; LinkedIn; Big five; Résumé; Selection; Personality; Photographs
• ISSN: 0191-8869; 1873-3549
• DOI: 10.1016/j.paid.2016.08.006

Given the importance of personality to predict consequential outcomes in the workplace, it is important to be able to measure it accurately. To date, no research has examined if people leave valid cues of their personality in résumé photographs. This research examined to what extent résumé photographs provide accurate information about the personality traits of their owner. Two observers rated 97 résumé photographs on four aspects: color photograph, photograph background, smile and professional attire. These ratings were compared with an accuracy criterion of the big five dimensions (self and peer reports). Results indicate that three out of the four cues are linked to extraversion, conscientiousness, agreeableness and emotional stability. These results suggest that résumé photographs can convey valid information about personality.
•Some personality traits can be accurately identified in résumé photographs.•People who smile score higher on the trait of extraversion.•People who pose in a standardized background score higher on agreeableness.•People who pose in a standardized background score higher on conscientiousness.•People whose attire is more professional score higher on emotional stability.