Tips for Prospective Adoptive Families on How to Create a Picture Resume or Profile

Whether you are working with an adoption agency or planning to do an independent adoption, the creation of a profile for Birthparents considering adoption to view is one of the most important parts of the adoption process. The profile is a way for Birthparents to learn a little about you as they are going through the process of selecting an adoptive family. The profile typically includes non-identifying information such as first names, religion, hobbies, occupations, and how long you have been married.

We have all heard that first impressions are important. Well, the profile is your opportunity for a first impression with a Birthparent. It allows them to get a feel for your lifestyle, personality and home life. It is what can draw a Birthparent to you or push them away, so you need to take your time on your profile and get a second opinion before completing it.

Most profiles include pictures and a Dear Birthparent letter or mini autobiography. In this article I'm going to concentrate on the picture resume and how to put that together. This picture resume is like an autobiography of your life in pictures. It allows Birthparents to actually catch a glimpse of your life and the activities that you enjoy doing.

When choosing pictures you need to choose pictures that reflect your hobbies, interests and lifestyle. They should be active pictures instead of stiff, posed pictures. Anyone can pose for a camera, but it is the photos that show actual activities that tend to catch a Birthparent's interest. Show vacation pictures where you are swimming in the ocean or riding a ride at Disney World. If you enjoy football, show a family friendly Super Bowl or tailgating photo. If you garden or enjoy outdoor activities, then show yourselves having fun in that activity. When they are viewing these photos, they are envisioning the type of life their child would have with you.

Try to use more recent photos, so that they know how you look now. Wedding or dating photos are fine, but keep them to a minimum. Variety is also important. Include yourselves individually, together and with family and friends. Other children are also important to include in pictures, even if it is nieces and nephews, so they know that playmates are around. Put a detailed description next to each picture so they know what is going on and who is in each photo.

Make your pages colorful and unique. Go to a craft store and buy colored paper, stickers and other embellishments. Cut your pictures and fill your pages with photos and writing. A white page with 2 4 x 6 photos is boring, but a colorful page with 5-6 photos and stickers is exciting.

Although our agency typically suggests making 8-10 photo pages, your agency might have a different guideline. You don't want too little as it doesn't say enough, but too much can be overwhelming for some Birthparents. Talk with your agency and see if they have any other helpful suggestions.

Agencies typically require profiles, but they are good for those seeking an independent adoption as well. If you are connected with a Birthparent, they can read your profile before meeting. Either way, it is important that you make sure your profile and picture resume is unique and that you take your time putting it together. It needs to show exactly who you are and what kind of life your children will have. I often see the picture profiles being as important, if not more important, than the letters as they create a first impression when a Birthparent begins looking through the profiles. You want to make an open and honest impression so that a Birthparent can truly get a feel for what type of life their child will have with you.