Tips on selecting the right picture

A good picture on your CV can improve your chances of succeeding essentially!

Your picture is the first thing a caster will notice about your application – that’s why it is even more important that you present yourself on your picture as good as possible. Here a couple of tips on selecting pictures for your CV, which you should pay close attention to:

1. The picture should be high quality. At best you have a picture taken by a professional photographer. No pictures taken by a webcam or passport pictures! Ask for a CD-ROM or scan your pictures so you will have them in a high digital quality.

2. The picture should be a portrait, taken from the front. Avoid exaggerated poses or hair dues, as well as glasses or jewelry which hide too much of your face. If you are a dancer you can also use a nice full body shot.

3. You have to decide for yourself whether to use a color- or black and white picture. A color picture might for example better reflect your hair- and eye color, whereas black and white pictures often leave an artistic impression.

4. Avoid touch-up. The risk exists that your picture doesn’t look like you anymore afterwards and also that it might seem too “artificial”.

5. Don’t be afraid to smile. You will be taken seriously if you smile in your picture. Try different hairstyles and clothes, so that you have a big selection of pictures on your CV.

6. Try to express your personality through the pictures, but don’t exaggerate. It is important that you have a good connection to the photographer and that you can trust him / her. Talk to the photographer first and explain what the pictures are needed for and how they are supposed to show you.

7. Use pictures that have been recently taken. The picture should be “honest” since the caster chooses his / her cast by it. If you look 30, but use a ten year old picture, you will not meet the casters expectations.