You're likely great at remembering multiple candidates' faces, as the hiring process often spans weeks or even months, with several candidates interviewing for the same position. Having a picture attached to a resume can be really helpful, much like how a LinkedIn profile picture adds value.

I'm awful at faces, but I'm worried about leaving myself open to a possible liability

Yeah, let's focus on the liability, let's cover our ass. Instead of worrying about what this headshot thing really is about: giving everyone a fair chance by factoring out possible discrimination based on gender, race, haircut...

I wouldn't consciously discriminate on those characteristics. I want it removed so I can't unconsciously do it or be accused of it.

This is both sanest and fairest: some roles in the UK civil service are blind recruited for the first stages for exactly this reason. IMO it should be standard.

Interestingly, it was a culture shock when I saw that in other countries (that tend to have a more homogenous ethnic population) informally require photos. Not having a photo on a resume almost guaranteed the resume would go into the trash.

Even more of a culture shock was how much more open people are about their biases in those cases. "We can't have someone short doing job X, or they don't have a friendly face for Y, etc."

100% My partner had chestnut brown painted hair, she had to wear a black wig in order to work at 711 in China.

Several years ago, I had a Dutch girl apply for a traineeship-level position with my business in Australia, and she included a number of photos, including a 'glamour' shot of her straddling a chair. Quite bizarre.

Did you hire her?

The trainees cost USD$100/week, but for a very small business, ensuring trainees get a good working and learning experience chews a lot of time hand-holding and so I passed.

The reality is that for many jobs the appearance actually does matter.

I am from India and an US based MNC's HR reached back to me and asked me to put a photo, my permanent address, DoB, and passport number. And I did, because the other way was to not go through that interview and possibly being blacklisted by that company. It used to be a norm here (improving but not so much), what wasn't normal was an international MNC demanding that right in the beginning. We are often asked for alternate contact details - it's a field and they must as you fill it! I literally don't have anyone like that so I just add my secondary mobile number.

I think sometimes companies will ask for passports for the purpose of visa checking, but hopefully that doesn't get as far as the hiring manager once the paperwork is all confirmed.

In India they will have been listing the fathers contact for exactly the reasons you should not have their fathers contact.