Sending a photo to a potential employer, is this normal?

[jfall]

I recently applied for a high-level IT job (paying around 80k/yr). I received the following response, is this fishy at all?

"Nice to meet you. Thus far, your resume looks great, but of course we need to meet you and or talk with you over the phone to gage who you are and vice versa. Could you tell me a bit about yourself? Also why are you looking for another job? I do have a request for you. It is unusual, but the owners request a photo of the person applying. The company is a family owned an operated company with about 30 million dollars rev, so this is not just for sport, it is actually because that's the way they do things. They want a CV with photo attached, which is not your typical North American tradition. They are originally from Europe and it is "normal" to have a photo included with a CV/resume. I've lived in Europe for going on 5 years and trust me, there's a lot more strange things that people do there.

After the initial preliminary interview, we will set a date for one in person and hopefully we won't need a third one, but who knows. I'll arrange for a conference call or you can come to the office; up to you. Send your photo please as soon as you can. It can be a canned one of your drivers license photo I guess. That's what I used."

 

[jaybert]

obviously they're racist and want to ensure that you are white.

 

[Gunslinger08]

Originally posted by: jaybert
obviously they're racist and want to ensure that you are white.

Ding ding ding.

 

[SacrosanctFiend]

If you really want the job, send it. If you don't care one way or another, ask them why they want it. Requesting a photo before interviewing can be construed as a violation of EEO laws, and you could file suit if you were denied the job (and were part of a protected class).

 

[Cuda1447]

Originally posted by: SacrosanctFiend
If you really want the job, send it. If you don't care one way or another, ask them why they want it. Requesting a photo before interviewing can be construed as a violation of EEO laws, and you could file suit if you were denied the job (and were part of a protected class).

First thing I thought of, EEO laws. They better watch wtf they say/do.

 

[jfall]

I'm not really concerned with EEO laws at this point. I just thought the request was kind of odd, like it was one of the many internet scams floating around. Although I can't see harm in sending them a picture of myself. It's not like they are asking for my CC #'s

 

[SacrosanctFiend]

Originally posted by: jfall
I'm not really concerned with EEO laws at this point. I just thought the request was kind of odd, like it was one of the many internet scams floating around. Although I can't see harm in sending them a picture of myself. It's not like they are asking for my CC #'s

If you're worried about the business itself being a scam, run its name through the BBB.

 

[daniel1113]

I know a lot of companies that take photos after an interview to keep in their records, simply to help identify interviewees.

 

[SacrosanctFiend]

Originally posted by: daniel1113
I know a lot of companies that take photos after an interview to keep in their records, simply to help identify interviewees.

There's a huge difference between requesting a photo before setting up an interview, and taking one after an interview.

 

[shortylickens]

Originally posted by: SacrosanctFiend

Originally posted by: daniel1113
I know a lot of companies that take photos after an interview to keep in their records, simply to help identify interviewees.

There's a huge difference between requesting a photo before setting up an interview, and taking one after an interview.

Agreed. And Europe is not the US or Canada.
It sounds like some serious bullshit.
Tell the guy if he wants pictures of potential employees, he should go back to Europe.

 

[dsity]

Maybe it's a test.

send picture= dumbass move

not send a picture explaning why you didn't = immediate hire, and not a dumbass move

 

[jfall]

Just to be clear, the job is not in Europe. It's based in Columbus, Ohio

 

[cKGunslinger]

Sound like a Mom-n-Pop shop that wants to keep a specific "look" to their employees.

Proceed at your own risk.

 

[xSauronx]

Originally posted by: shortylickens

Originally posted by: SacrosanctFiend

Originally posted by: daniel1113
I know a lot of companies that take photos after an interview to keep in their records, simply to help identify interviewees.

There's a huge difference between requesting a photo before setting up an interview, and taking one after an interview.

Agreed. And Europe is not the US or Canada.
It sounds like some serious bullshit.
Tell the guy if he wants pictures of potential employees, he should go back to Europe.

i say tell him if they want a pic, they can pay for him to come out for an interviewe and should have a camera handy.

 

[her209]

I say you send this picture as yourself and see what their response is.

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

I see several problems. Picture before interview just screams warnings but, your potential interviewer being unable to spell or use a spell checker screams just as loud. I recommend letting these folks know you expect to be treated like a professional.

 

[Atheus]

Originally posted by: shortylickens

Originally posted by: SacrosanctFiend

Originally posted by: daniel1113
I know a lot of companies that take photos after an interview to keep in their records, simply to help identify interviewees.

There's a huge difference between requesting a photo before setting up an interview, and taking one after an interview.

Agreed. And Europe is not the US or Canada.

Whats that supposed to mean?

It sounds like some serious bullshit.
Tell the guy if he wants pictures of potential employees, he should go back to Europe.

Just to clear this up, it is *not* normal to send a photo with your CV in Europe, or anywhere else in the world as far as I know. Apparently it used to be acceptable in Germany but not any more.

 

[SacrosanctFiend]

Originally posted by: MagnusTheBrewer
I see several problems. Picture before interview just screams warnings but, your potential interviewer being unable to spell or use a spell checker screams just as loud. I recommend letting these folks know you expect to be treated like a professional.

The spelling doesn't concern me that much. Many HR generalists or recruiters I know have trouble spelling properly. Especially when they're rushed.

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

Originally posted by: SacrosanctFiend

Originally posted by: MagnusTheBrewer
I see several problems. Picture before interview just screams warnings but, your potential interviewer being unable to spell or use a spell checker screams just as loud. I recommend letting these folks know you expect to be treated like a professional.

The spelling doesn't concern me that much. Many HR generalists or recruiters I know have trouble spelling properly. Especially when they're rushed.

I agree but, it is a a further sign of being unprofessional. I guess I've reached that point in my life where I expect and demand the same level of professionalism from employers that they demand of me. Ask yourself if your job is to communicate with and, act as the main contact for future employees, is being too lazy to spell/grammar check acceptable?

I'm used to being held to a higher standard in an incredibly stressful environment. If I can meet and sometimes exceed those standards, my employer can sure as hell take the time to communicate professionally. There are no excuses, at the end of the day, performance is what counts.

 

[mh47g]

Request a group photo of the entire staff and say it's because you're from Asia, and that's what they do in Asia.

 

[Phokus]

They want to see if you're hot or not

 

[daniel1113]

Originally posted by: SacrosanctFiend

Originally posted by: daniel1113
I know a lot of companies that take photos after an interview to keep in their records, simply to help identify interviewees.

There's a huge difference between requesting a photo before setting up an interview, and taking one after an interview.

Of course. I wouldn't send the photo. However, that could be the rational for the photo, as opposed to any racist crap.

 

[Gothgar]

Are you sure you didn't accidentally apply for Hooters?

 

[ArmchairAthlete]

It is normal in other parts of the world, like India. You're in Canada, not sure about there.

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

Originally posted by: daniel1113

Originally posted by: SacrosanctFiend

Originally posted by: daniel1113
I know a lot of companies that take photos after an interview to keep in their records, simply to help identify interviewees.

There's a huge difference between requesting a photo before setting up an interview, and taking one after an interview.

Of course. I wouldn't send the photo. However, that could be the rationale for the photo, as opposed to any racist crap.

/fixed

True but, I wouldn't be so hasty to dismiss racism as we all know it's alive and well.