I think not. A CV is designed to illustrate your ability to do the job and give a sense of what you can offer. Unless you’re applying for a job as a model, actor or Blue Peter presenter, you shouldn’t put a picture on your CV. A picture will never influence an employer to hire you, but it could influence them not to. Employers legally can’t discriminate against you because of age, colour, gender or appearance, but there’s no reason to test that.

The risk is they “don’t like the look of you” and the CV hits the bin regardless of your abilities.

The key to a good CV is to provide enough detail about your experience for the prospective employer that it will be unavoidably obvious to them that you have the required skills. While it might be tempting to include a photo so that the employer thinks you’re beautiful or have a great haircut, it’s a temptation to be resisted. Competent employers will have a set of criteria. They’ll decide based on your track record and expertise, not your looks.

Eoghan McDermott is Director of Careers, The Communication Clinic . www.communicationsclinic.ie