Does a Swiss CV need a photo?
Short answer: yes. While Germany and English-speaking countries increasingly favour anonymised applications without a photo, in Switzerland a professional application photo is still standard. Hiring managers expect it, and a missing photo stands out more than an included one.
That does not make a photo mandatory. Legally you may leave it out, and no one may disadvantage you for doing so. In practice, though, a good photo is an advantage: it makes your application more personal and more memorable. The difference is quality. A poor photo does more harm than none at all.
In this guide we show you what a good application photo looks like, where it belongs on the CV and which mistakes to avoid. If you want to build your CV with a photo right away, you can do it in the Careerkit CV editor.
What does a good application photo look like?
A good application photo looks professional, current and approachable. It shows you the way you would appear on your first day at work, not the way you look in a holiday album. Three qualities define it.
Current and honest
The photo should be no older than one to two years and match how you look today. If you look different in the interview than in the photo, you make an awkward first impression.
Professionally taken
An application photo is not a selfie. Even lighting, a neutral, calm background and a sharp, high-resolution image are essential. A photographer or a specialised studio delivers this reliably. In Zurich and other cities, studios offer application photos from around 49 CHF.
Suitable clothing and expression
Dress to match the role you are targeting: for an office, a shirt or blazer; for a trade or creative setting, something more casual. Keep your expression friendly and open. A slight smile is more approachable than a stiff, serious look.
