The facial expression

An open, friendly smile looks likeable and competent in an application photo. A face that is too serious quickly looks grim or withdrawn.

Make-up and jewelry

Discreet is the most important thing. Light make-up and lipstick in a delicate shade of pink are not a bad idea. If you don't want to do without jewelry, you can go for small stud earrings.

The outfit

How formal it should be also depends on the job: if you are applying for a management position at a bank, a blazer over a blouse is essential. In other sectors, a high-quality T-shirt without lettering will suffice.

Timeliness and size

As a general rule, the application photo should not be more than one year old, but it is not necessary to take a new photo immediately if you have new glasses or hair color. And: application photos should always be slightly larger than passport photos.