Why European Resumes Use 4:5 Rectangular Photos Instead of Squares
In countries like Germany, Austria, Switzerland (DACH region), and France, submitting a curriculum vitae with a professional candidate photo (known as a Bewerbungsfoto) remains standard practice.
While US resumes omit photos entirely to prevent bias, European two-column CV layouts reserve a structured 35×45mm rectangular slot in the upper sidebar. Using an uncropped square photo breaks document layout symmetry and looks unprofessional.
DocSnap locks your crop box to the exact 4:5 vertical proportion (600×750 pixels at 300 DPI), giving you a clean, aligned headshot ready to embed directly into Word, InDesign, or Canva CV templates.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the standard photo size for European CVs and Europass?
European CVs (including Europass, German Bewerbung, and French CVs) mandate a 4:5 vertical rectangular aspect ratio, typically 35x45mm or 600x750 pixels at 300 DPI.
Should a resume photo be square or rectangular?
While social platforms like LinkedIn use 1:1 circular avatars, formal European curriculum vitae designs require a 4:5 vertical rectangle that neatly aligns with sidebar columns and header typography.