Is it normal to be asked for a copy of a photo of before an interview is scheduled?

Anonymous

January 9,2023 at 11:01PM UTC

Welcome to Fairygodboss!

We’re the largest online career community helping women achieve their career goals. Gain access to articles, jobs, events, and a supportive network of women and allies. Membership is free, always.

Is it normal to be asked for a copy of a photo of before an interview is scheduled?

First time for me. Seems odd.

Why women love us:

Daily articles on career topics
Jobs at companies dedicated to hiring more women
Advice and support from an authentic community
Events that help you level up in your career
Free membership, always

31 comments

Share your insight

Join an authentic community that helps women support each other at work. Share your professional experience or ask for advice — you can even post anonymously.

31 Comments

Join the conversation

AnonymousJanuary 9,2023 at 11:02PM UTC
Sorry. A photo ID.
AnonymousJanuary 9,2023 at 11:18PM UTC
It's not typical, weird and I wouldn't oblige that request.
AnonymousJanuary 9,2023 at 11:23PM UTC
Weird.
AnonymousJanuary 9,2023 at 11:30PM UTC
Well that sounds like it borders on illegal
AnonymousJanuary 10,2023 at 12:05AM UTC
No.
SBJanuary 10,2023 at 1:26AM UTC
No.
AnonymousJanuary 10,2023 at 2:19AM UTC
Agreed.
Seems odd and suspicious of an ageism attempt.
Joan Williams, Senior Talent Acquisition SpecialistJanuary 10,2023 at 7:37AM UTC
No, nope, no freaking way. Creepy as hell.
Are you in the US?
Jerri WalkerJanuary 10,2023 at 1:13PM UTC
I've never asked or been asked.
AlexisJanuary 10,2023 at 1:48PM UTC
A photo ID is different than just a photo. If you are attending the interview in person, they might need it for security-but they should do that upon your arrival and not ask before the interview. That's a good way to get in hot water if you ask me. Ask them why!
Kristin BurnsJanuary 10,2023 at 2:43PM UTC
The only valid reason I can think of is to prevent false interviewing (where someone else interviews in your place) but I echo the calls for an emailed request asking why they need a photo and preserving their written response.
Melissa GroganJanuary 10,2023 at 3:40PM UTC
As a person who does integrity interviews for the company I work for - local government, corrections arena - one of the job qualifications is that you must have a valid driver's license in order to drive any of the vehicles. We always ask for a photo id. That way we can validate the driver's license prior to the interview. If the person does not pass through the interview process, the copy of the id is cross-shredded. You would be surprised how many people don't renew their driver's license promptly.
AnonymousJanuary 10,2023 at 9:09PM UTC
The request was for a photo, not a photo ID by the OP.
Just a question: Why can't you ask if they have a valid driver's license on the application and then ask them to present it when they appear for the interview? If they can't, they will probably decline the interview. If they show up with none or an invalid one, that is an automatic "no."
Melissa GroganJanuary 11,2023 at 7:16PM UTC
Our process is an integrity interview prior to the oral board. We try to recognize a person's time. If they can't provide a valid driver's license at the time of the interview, we ask if they have a permit etc. If they do - and pass through the integrity, we allow them to continue in the process. If they do not have the ability to get a driver's license, we don't continue the process. My apologies, I believed the author of this post corrected it to a photo id.
AnonymousJanuary 12,2023 at 4:21PM UTC
I'm sorry, Melissa, but when someone says they "cross-shred" something submitted digitally, that sets off alarm bells. It is not like it was a photocopy sent in by "snail mail" or presented at an office and then copied. Digital images never disappear entirely. I only upload those images through secure internet connections to companies I had vetted thoroughly (typically government entities, when I was interviewing for a state agency) or [occasionally when needing to communicate with a health care facility] into a HIPAA-compliant portal. Personal identifying information being sent through insecure connections (like email) should never be done.
Melissa GroganJanuary 12,2023 at 7:35PM UTC
It actually is a photocopy of the dl that the candidate provides prior to the interview. We do not accept digital copies of id's for the reasons that you list. We are doing interviews in person. We will occasionally do a skype interview to see suitability but will not accept any items throughout that process. They will then need to interview in person.
AnonymousJanuary 10,2023 at 3:44PM UTC
It is only appropriate if your looks have anything to do with the job requirements (like modeling, for example). Otherwise, they can use this to discriminate on anything that can be seen in a simple 2D photo (race, size, age, etc.) This practice went out with the civil rights act. Like others have said, if they are trying to verify your identity, they can do that with a photo ID when they interview you, and not before.
AnonymousJanuary 10,2023 at 8:13PM UTC
That's a red flag, in my opinion. If there are questionable practices in the interview, it's only going to get worse if you work there. Turn the tables ask for the interviewer's photo in return and see how they respond. You don't work for them, so you have nothing to lose. If they decide to pass on interviewing you, you dodged the bullet.
AnonymousJanuary 11,2023 at 11:37AM UTC
No
Peggie Arvidson * Career Consultant | Adoptee Advocate | RecruiterJanuary 11,2023 at 1:12PM UTC
only if you're applying for a role like model, actor or influencer - and even then, it probably would have been something your agent would have already provided.
Report this company.
Gisele CloutierJanuary 11,2023 at 1:15PM UTC
The only possibly legit reason for this - and I say "possibly" - is for DEI purposes. Trying to recruit minority candidates. But it's borderline illegal, especially as there are better ways to make an educated guess as to whether someone might be a diversity candidate. Asking for a photo before an interview will be scheduled sounds ham-handed at best, shady at worst.
Rebecca AliJanuary 11,2023 at 1:27PM UTC
Did you ask them why? Was it you that posted it was a request for a photo ID? Are you interviewing for a job that requires security clearance or in a secure location? We can all make assumptions leaning toward the "worst case" but perhaps we don't know all the information needed to make an educated reply. If you use LinkedIn and have a photo posted, they can see you anyway - it's one of my pet peeves about LI frankly.
Rachel BuchheitJanuary 11,2023 at 1:50PM UTC
Very odd - did they provide a reason?
Shelly EdwardsJanuary 11,2023 at 2:37PM UTC
That’s very sketchy. I’d ask for their reason for the request before I sent a photo. I might also let them know that such practices could be considered discriminatory.
Audrey KirschJanuary 11,2023 at 5:51PM UTC
It would only be normal if they were making sure that the person being interviewed is the same as the person applying. However, I don't think they would have requested a photo without explaining that. It's sounds more like ageism, sexism or some other excuse to make sure the work force looks a certain way and that's no place you should want to work.
AnonymousJanuary 11,2023 at 7:21PM UTC
Excellent point. I sent an email asking for an explanation as many have suggested and have not received a response. If the reason is to validate that the person interviewing is the seam as the person applying, couldn't they just reference IinkedIn for early stages? I get that there is still some risk of fraud but I'm not comfortable sending a picture of my photo id without blacking out some things.
JYJJanuary 12,2023 at 5:48PM UTC
That's what I thought. It's called look them up on linkedin. Definitely do not provide ID info.
RichJanuary 11,2023 at 6:54PM UTC
It might be a security issue. Sometimes candidates have someone else do video interviews for them for remote jobs. They get hired, and the original person starts the job.
This can be for any of several different reasons. Sometimes it's because someone is insecure about their ability to interview well. In some cases, it's an effort to get past corporate security, or in others, to allow someone to have multiple remote full-time jobs at once.
AnonymousJanuary 11,2023 at 8:00PM UTC
Absolutely not. This is not typical and can be construed as bias in interviewing. Please report this company to your local agency for this behavior.
IntentionGirl299847January 12,2023 at 9:41PM UTC
Report company to your State's labor board and the EEOC as that is bias and possibly discrimination based upon physical and not abilities or skills.
Kelli MahoneyJanuary 13,2023 at 8:28PM UTC
Yes. It think it is odd. I've had remote interviews where they ask to see your ID to make sure you are who you say you are, but that is the only acceptable situation I can think of. I have seen this question on some applications, and it's offensive (and not sure it's actually legal).