CV Templates with Photos

Are you an actor, model, or applying for a job in a place where CV templates customarily include pictures (France, for instance)? Easily add your headshot to one of our free-to-download photo CV templates to make a great first impression on your target employer.

4 photo CV templates you can download

Each of the CV templates with photos below is free to download for Word.

Simply click the green Download button, open the file, insert your picture (we have a video that shows you how below), and change the content in each section to match your needs, including a CV template with a:

1. photo on the left
2. photo on the right
3. photo in the middle
4. large photo

1. The Hebrides CV template

This UK CV template neatly fits your education and experience on the first page:

Download Photo CV Template (Word)

Template features

• Hexagonal photo space stands out from more common shapes
• Various colour options so you can pick the shade that best complements your complexion and eye colour

Who should use this photo CV template?

The Hebrides CV template places both your education and work history in prominent positions on the first page. So if you’re an all-rounder, with great achievements at work and an impressive educational background, consider using this Microsoft Word CV template.

2. The Lagan CV template

This photo CV template emphasises your CV’s personal statement:

Download Photo CV Template (Word)

Template features

• Colourful CV icons stand out, drawing attention to your main CV sections
• Bold name and contact details section help the recruiting manager easily find your application

Who should use this photo CV template?

The Lagan is perfect for recent graduates because it places your education section ahead of your work history. But you should still include any internship, voluntary, or extracurricular experience that strengthens your case for employment.

3. The Pennines CV template

Our Pennines CV template puts the primary focus on your work experience:

Download Photo CV Template (Word)

Template features

• Centred CV photo brings attention to your headshot
• Simple boxes and lines keep readers focused on the CV’s major sections

Who should use this photo CV template?

This template’s pastel colour schemes won’t go down well in traditional industries (like banking or government jobs), so use it if you’re writing a CV for a creative industry (a graphic designer role at a progressive startup, for instance).

4. The Snowdonia CV template

This CV template uses an extra-large photo to get the attention of recruiting managers:

Download Photo CV Template (Word)

Template features

• Asymmetrical photo frame helps you make a CV that sets you apart from people using standard layouts
• Colour scheme is subtly reflected in elements like dates and icons, giving your CV a coherent look

Who should use this photo CV template?

The large photo on this CV makes it ideal for on-camera professionals who need to present a TV-friendly image, such as actors and media personalities. It’s also great for work in fashion and social media.

A photo CV template you can copy & paste

Prefer to work in Google Docs or already have your photo inserted in a document? This CV template guides you through how to format a CV with a photo in a way that gets employers excited about interviewing you for a job.

Just paste it into your writing program, add a photo at the top, and follow the instructions written in each section:

YOUR NAME
[Position Title]

 

07123 456-789 | LinkedIn.com/in/your-name | email@email.com | Street, Town/City, AA1 1AA

PERSONAL STATEMENT

In the first sentence, highlight your current job title and your years of experience. In the next sentence, showcase one or two of your biggest achievements from your current or previous jobs. Finally, highlight some key skills and state you’re looking to apply these skills in the position of [Job Title] at [Company Name].

 

WORK EXPERIENCE

Job Title
Company/Organisation
Month 20xx–present, Town/City

• Include a bulleted list of your accomplishments
• Add numbers to some of these bullet points to demonstrate your accomplishments
• Use four or fewer bullet points for each position you include on your CV

Job Title
Company/Organisation
Month 20xx–Month 20xx, Town/City

• List relevant accomplishments from a previously held position
• If you no longer perform this job, make sure you use past tense verbs to describe the experience
• Unless you lack work experience, all the positions you list on your CV should be relevant to the job you’re applying for

EDUCATION

BA/BSc (Hons), Degree Title, Degree Classification (1st/2:1/2:2/3rd class honours)
Name of University
20xx–20xx, Town/City

KEY SKILLS

• List your relevant skills and non-academic qualifications
• Include technical skills, or soft skills if you’re applying for an entry-level job
• Be as specific as possible with your technical skills (i.e., mention the names of software or tools you can use)

HOBBIES & INTERESTS

• List some of your notable hobbies, especially if they use skills in common with the job you want
• Employers like to get to know the person they’re hiring, and hobbies are a great way to show you have a life outside of work
• Add any organisations or sport clubs you’re involved in

3+ photo CV examples you can use for specific jobs

Looking for a photo CV for your particular line of work? Here are three examples of CVs for specific jobs that require you to send a photo as part of your application:

We also have CV examples for roles that may or may not require a photo CV. We’ve left the photo off these CVs because you should only add it if the job advert says to do so (some companies reject applications with pictures to avoid biased hiring practices):

• Nanny CV
• Journalism CV
• Fashion CV
• PR CV
• Cabin crew CV

3 tips for using your photo CV template

Below are three tips that help you decide whether a CV template with a photo is right for you, and if so, how to use a CV with a picture. But first, here’s a video that shows you how to add your photo to our CV templates:

 

1. Make sure including a photo is appropriate

In the UK, you should only put a photo on your CV if you work in a role that depends on your appearance. Adding your picture when it’s not relevant to the position, though, opens up the possibility of discrimination.

For example, using a CV with a photo for a fashion model job makes sense, because you can expect employers to evaluate you based on your physical characteristics. But including your picture on a barista CV is unnecessary, as your appearance isn’t related to how well you can serve coffee to customers.

So only use a CV with a photo if:

• the job advert clearly tells you to (if the employer makes adding a photo optional, use your best judgement)
• you’re targeting a role that requires you to have a certain look (for instance, you’re an actor applying to play a character with specific physical features)

2. Use a professional headshot

Once you’re certain you should use a photo CV template, it’s time to decide what picture to insert. If you don’t already have a professional headshot you’re happy with, follow these guidelines to take a perfect photo for your CV:

Use a quality camera. Most smartphones take high-quality pictures that’ll look great on your CV. A clear photo on your CV makes you appear professional.

Wear industry-appropriate clothing. If you work in a traditional industry like banking, a formal suit will do, while a plain T-shirt might be better for a marketing role at a youthful company. (Research the company’s website and social media handles if you’re unsure what its work culture is like.)

Include only your head and shoulders. Even if you’re an actor or model, save your full-body shots for your portfolio so you can fit more job-related skills and experience on your CV.

3. Include a cover letter without a photo

You should write a cover letter for every CV you send to employers, and your cover letter template should match your CV.

But when you use a CV template with a photo, don’t include a picture on your cover letter — only the formatting and style (colour, CV/cover letter font, and so on) should match. Here’s why:

1. customary cover letter formatting doesn’t include a photo — regardless of what type of job you apply for
2. the recruiter will see your photo on your CV, so they don’t need to see it again on your cover letter
3. some employers like to print job applications to make notes on during internal reviews or job interviews, and they won’t want to waste ink by printing multiple pictures

3 frequently asked questions about CV templates with photos

Didn’t have all your questions about CVs with photos answered above? We’re not done yet!

Here are answers to three common questions about photo CV templates:

1. How do I insert a picture into a Word template CV?

Our video above shows you how to insert a picture into our photo CV templates. But here are written instructions too:

This is how to insert a picture into a Word template CV if it has a placeholder image:

• Right-click the placeholder image or the area where you want to insert your photo
• Navigate to Change Picture → From File… in the drop-down menu
• Choose your image file from the pop-up window
• Use the directional arrows to change the position of your photo if necessary

Here’s how to insert a picture into a Word template CV if it doesn’t have a placeholder image:

• Click where you want the image to be in your document
• Navigate to Insert → Pictures → Picture from File…
• Choose your image file from the pop-up window
• Use the directional arrows to change the position of your photo if necessary

2. How do I add a picture to my CV PDF?

You should add your picture to your CV in your word processor before you save it as a PDF. However, if you don’t have access to the original file and need to edit the PDF, you can follow these steps to add a photo:

• Download Adobe Acrobat for free
• Use Adobe Acrobat to open your CV PDF
• Navigate to Edit → Image
• Select the photo you want to add and adjust it as needed

3. Should I smile in my CV picture?

Yes, you should smile in your CV picture but don’t overdo it. Smile as you normally do — both showing teeth and closed lips are fine, as long as you look natural.

An over-the-top smile could make you seem too eager, while a serious stare may cause employers to view you as impersonal.

Add your photo faster with a CV builder

Putting a photo on your CV can be tricky. You need to make sure it’s the correct size and fits your text around it in a way that looks professional.

You can skip that technical work and focus on getting your content right by using a CV builder that automatically places your picture in your CV’s format.

Build My Photo CV Now