Pictures on LinkedIN and Resumes

We see this quite a bit.

The following exchange occurred between me and Karen, A solid citizen and a senior Human Resources professional, here in Atlanta, that was in career-transition. It’s uncensored to help illustrate the point.

Karen like many minorities (and older candidates as well) are concerned that if they reveal their age and/ or race they might be at a disadvantage in securing interviews.

The point here is “transparency”. If you are going to be profiled by gender, race or age, it’s better that be filtered right away. Why would you want to work for a company or boss that see’s the world through that sort of lens anyway.

So, our advice is to always put your picture on LinkedIN and similar Social Networking-oriented media. On the other hand, we don’t recommend photos – and, most graphics on resumes. Better to stick with common templates.

To wit…

From: brian patrick cork [mailto:boomer@briancork.com]
Sent: Friday, September 11, 2009 5:43 PM
To: Karen Smith
Subject: Re: KAREN PAGE SMITH

Hi Brian,

Thanks for getting back to me.  In working with my outplacement counselor, the advice is not to include the photo until after I’ve landed a job to alleviate any employment decisions based on race, age, etc.

Karen

From: brian patrick cork [mailto:boomer@briancork.com]
Sent: Friday, September 11, 2009 5:43 PM
To: Karen Smith
Subject: Re: KAREN PAGE SMITH

Hello Karen.

Thank you for checking in.

The good news is that hiring is really heating up. We have over 56 senior level job orders in motion.

One suggestion for you: Upgrade your LinkedIN profile to include your photo.

_______________________

:: brian patrick cork, SME ::

Cultural Architect

404 451 4799 macberry

877 843 2675 toll-free

boomer@briancork.com

www.briancork.com

Video:  Brian Patrick Cork

Post: texting and driving to death

“We Help Companies That Change The World Build Cultures That Endure.”

On Sep 11, 2009, at 5:12 PM, Karen Smith wrote:

Dear Brian,

You are part of my Linked In network and I wanted to reintroduce myself to you.

I am Karen Page Smith and you presented me to one of your clients, who had a start up business marketing wedding favors online about 2 years ago.  Unfortunately, I was the number 2 candidate for the position.    Currently, I am seeking a senior HR management position in communications or technology or I am open to considering any industry.  My search profile is enclosed.

In my 20 years in Human Resources, I have enjoyed continuous upward mobility. Some highlights of my experience follow:

* Training employees in the aligning of individual goals and objectives with organizational goals and in measuring results against performance standards.

* Creating a vision, mission and HR plan to position the business unit of the company as an employer of choice.

* Designing recruiting strategy to attract and retain employees to meet the business objective of reducing expenses associated with outsource vendors.

I am willing to travel up to 25%.  A minimum compensation package of $110,000 plus bonus is my goal.

Should you have any positions for which I qualify, I would appreciate your consideration.  Thank you for your time.

Kind regards,

Karen Page Smith, SPHR

678-428-7887 (mobile)

www.linkedin.com/in/kpagesmith

By way of update, Karen is now gainfully employed, and apparently quite content with her career-path. And, it should be noted that she now has her photo on on LinkedIN profile.

Lets be part of the solution, and not the problem.

Brian Patrick Cork