Top 5 Situational Resume Fonts
These situational fonts are recommended by some sources yet discouraged by others, so use with caution :
Helvetica: This classic, widely used sans serif typeface is probably the worlds best-known font ” rel=”nofollow”> documentary film of the same name). But its so common that many say its too common.
Times New Roman: Formerly the default typeface for Microsoft Office, this old-school serif font is beloved by some for its familiarity yet dismissed by others for the same reason: Its old-fashioned and boring.
Roboto, Open Sans, Ubuntu: As we already mentioned, these are common IT fonts, popularized by Google and other tech giants. They are usually clean and legible, but may be too techy for some more traditional employers.
What Is The Best Font Size To Use For A Resume
Generally, a 10- to 12-point font size is recommended. A good rule of thumb to remember: Don’t decide on a font size until you’ve chosen the specific font you’ll use for your resume. This is because some fonts like Calibri and Trebuchet MS, take up less space than Times New Roman or Verdana.
Depending on the font, you might be able to slightly reduce or slightly increase its size to have the two-page resume that recruiters like while still ensuring it’s easy to read and the format is pleasing.
However, going above a 12-point font in the resume body to make two pages means you probably need to add more details about your past responsibilities and achievements or include skills developed from voluntary work and hobbies.
If you’re submitting your resume online, you also might need to use a 12-point font size throughout and eliminate any formatting, like underlining, italics, or bolding. Online programs often convert your information to an ASCII format, or ask you to use an ASCII format so the resume displays correctly, and a 12-point font works best.
List Of Best Fonts For Resume
The following is a list of the best resume fonts to use when applying for a job:
1. Times New Roman
Times New Roman is widely-considered the most classic and traditional font to use on a resume. If you want to play it safe, this is the #1 font to use.
2. Arial
The Arial font is commonly used for official letters. It appears natural and clean. To some, it is also attractive. The clean lines improve the readability of the entire document. These characteristics make Arial one of the safest bets when choosing fonts. Tip: if youre short on space, try Arial Narrow which will enable you to fit more on each line/page.
3. Calibri
In modern MS Windows applications, Calibri is often used as the default font. As such, its considered a convenient option for writing resumes, especially for people just starting to look for jobs. Calibri is professional, but its interesting design also makes it visually appealing to most readers.
However, the most important limitation to keep in mind with Calibri is that some interviewers may consider it lackluster and low-effort, as it is a default font in Word. The recruiter may feel that the candidate does not pay attention to the finer details and that they just went with what was easiest not the best impression to leave an interviewer with.
4. Garamond
5. Georgia
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Resume Fonts & Sizes:
- The most common font to use is Times New Roman, in black and size 12 points.
- Other serif fonts to consider that are easy to read include: Georgie, Bell MT, Goudy Old Style, Garamond.
- Popular sans serif fonts include Arial, Tahoma, Century Gothic, and Lucida Sans.
- Any of the above fonts would be reasonable for a resume as long as you consistently use one font only.
- Make your headings and name stand out, think of your resume like a blog post or newspaper article.
- Make headlines bold, Italicise, CAPITALISE, or underline. And feel free to increase the font size to 14-16 points.
- Try and keep your resume to one page, leave the reader wanting to know more.
What Should Be My Font Color
One of the most common errors made by job seekers is using white text on a black background. This is not a good idea because white is very hard for our eyes to focus on .
Instead of white text on a black background, you should use a light-to-medium grey so that the text stands out and doesnt blend in with the background.
A good rule of thumb is to choose the color opposite of your resume font color. For example, if your resume has a purple font, then you should choose a neutral gray color such as LightGrey or Gray.
Its always a good idea to test this on a piece of paper first to make sure its readable by everyone.
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Why Should You Use Calibri In A Resume
As the default font for Microsoft office, the most widely professionally used software, it is a given that Calibri holds a sense of familiarity with it. As soon as the recruiting officer reads a document written in a familiar font to the documents they are used to, they would be inclined to read it more thoroughly than the rest.
Here Are Some Of The Best Fonts For Your Resume:
Why arent Times New Roman and Arial on this list?
Its a common misconception that Times New Roman and Arial are great resume fonts. While they are some of the most popular fonts in general, they are not the best for your resume.
Times New Roman is a compact font and can be difficult to read. Arial is overused and wont capture anyones attention!
What about serif vs. sans serif?
There are four major types of fonts: serif, sans serif, script, and decorative.
For purposes of a resume, both serif and sans serif can be used. These fonts are the most professional and easiest to read.
Sans serif fonts are considered modern and simple. Serif fonts are elegant and professional.
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Regular Italic Or Bold
- Bold text helps to draw attention to particular words. It helps subtitles stand out without increasing the font size.
- Italic text is useful for supporting the text. It should be specifically used in places like city and state or a company description.
Avoid underlining words or phrases in a resume or cover letter. It makes the document cluttered.
Our Top 5 Fonts To Use On A Resume
As we said before, there are more fonts available than anyone has time to try. It would take you hours just to review all of the ones that come with your document software. Add in downloadable fonts, and its even worse.
So, we want to save you a little bit of trouble. If you arent sure what the best fonts for a resume are or, at least, where you should start looking, here are our top five fonts to use on a resume.
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How Do You Choose A Font Size
When choosing font sizes, you want to find a balance: Too large a size and your resume is likely to be more than one page without necessarily having the years of experience to back up that resume length, Yurovsky says. But if you go too small, Lucas says, the recruiter will be squinting to read your resume. This is the last thing you want and will likely land you in the no pile.
Your font size doesnt need to be uniform across your resume. You can change it up to help make your important informationlike section headingsstand out. Just be sure to use the same font size for each type of information across your resume and make sure the relative sizes are logical. For example, if youre using Calibri, Boggs recommends 10.5 point font for bullets and 12 or 14 for company names, dates, and past job titles.
I always say to build your resume with the sizes you want and see where you land. Yurovsky says. If youre spilling onto the second page, consider decreasing one or more of the font sizes while still keeping it readable. But be careful, Muse career coach Leto Papadopoulos says: I see a lot of people trying to cram in their info with a small font size. Youre better off looking for other ways to get your resume down to one page.
On the other hand, if you have a lot of white space at the end, you might consider making your fonts a bit bigger. But dont go overboard and set your bullets to size 16 just to take up more of the page. Recruiters will see right through that.
What Is A Sans
Sans-serif designs are based on straight lines rather than curved strokes like those in Times New Roman or Arial typeface. Sans-serif fonts have become popular in the last few years because theyre easier to read on screens and they fit better in a modern, clean design.
The best sans-serifs for your resume are clean fonts like Helvetica, Avant-Garde, or Verdana. These fonts are very versatile and you can use them on your resume, CV, or cover letter if you want them to stand out.
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Professional Fonts In Word Or Other Software
There are certain commonly used professional fonts in Word, the popular Microsoft application, and others more often used in Google applications and Apple platforms.Free-form Word software allows for a lot of freedom in choosing your resume font, but the breadth of options can also breed confusion. Choosing good CV fonts is complicated by the fact that the formatting in Word documents can look different on your device than on someone elses. What looks fine on your PC with a 10-point Arial font may look really bad on someone elses iPhone. This is why the PDF file format is usually best for preserving the exact visualimpression you want to convey with fonts, since PDFs lock your design in place so that it will look the same on any device.
In some methods of creating resumes, like online resume builders, good resume fonts are usually matched up by professional designers with the resume templates where they will be most effective. Using a pre-designed template takes the guesswork out of the process, since an expert designer has already chosen a good font to use for your resume. All you need to do is choose an appropriate template category based on your occupation, follow the appropriate profession example guide, and youre good to go.
If youd like any help, look to resume.io for professionally formatted resume templates that have pre-selected fonts and font sizes for your documents. All you have to do is the writing!
The Best Font For Resume
What is the best font for resume and most importantly, for your specific resume? We look at the best font types for resumes and how to select the right one for you.
Your resume will have about 7 seconds to make the right impression and convince the hiring manager or recruiter to continue reading. Your resume font should be appealing, easy to quickly scan and accessible. The wrong font could see your resume get passed by.
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Why Should You Use Verdana In A Resume
When you write a detailed resume where you need to put in a large amount of information in small confined places, Verdana is a great option. This professional font allows you to put in maximum amounts of information without compromising your resumes quality. Although adding too much information on the resume is not the best practice, sometimes its all-important. Being too good at your job can be a curse sometimes!
To Conclude: The Worst And Best Font For Resume
Fonts are an important aspect when resumes come into the picture which makes it extremely easy to know of the tight fonts. A font size of 10 to 12 pt. depending on the particular font is standard to use and larger sizes are acceptable for headings or subheadings. Remember, the interviewer views the resume on a computer and might have different fonts installed so the typeface automatically replaces with a substitute messing the documentâs appearance and formatting.
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Resume Font Size Options
Make it easy for hiring managers and potential interviewers to read through your entire resume. Choose a font size that’s between 10 and 12. This will ensure that no one has to squint to read through all the information on this important document.
It’s fine to use a larger font size for your name in the heading section of your resume at the top of the page.
Hiring managers and recruiters typically spend seconds glancing at each resume before moving it to the yes or no pile. Make your resume difficult to read, and you might wind up losing out on an opportunity that would have been perfect for you.
What Font Should A Resume Be In 2021
Best Font for Resume in 2021:
- Calibri. Modern sans-serif font with a clean cut. …
- Cambria. Serif font with a classic feel. …
- Helvetica. Sans-serif font highly esteemed among designers. …
- Georgia. Serif font with a formal look. …
- Verdana. Sans-serif font with a spacious design. …
- Garamond. …
- Lato.
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The Importance Of Legible Fonts On Your Resume
The font you select for your resume can impact your employers perception of you. Employers will look for something beyond your words, and having a well-selected font is one way you can express your professional presence.If it’s unreadable, it could be the first thing someone may notice and the reason why your resume gets skipped.Choosing a font that is clean, crisp, and well-defined can show the reader that you have style, are professional, and have a personal touch. If your resume is using a hard-to-read font, it tells the reader that you donât care about presentation or looking unprofessional.
A font that is too cluttered, too big, or too small makes it difficult for the hiring manager to read your resumeâand sends a message to them that you are disorganized, sloppy, or do not sweat the details.
While there is no perfect resume font, there are fonts that are better than others. It is important that you select a font that works for you and presents the best possible image for the type of resume you are creating.â
Recruiters Reveal The 7 Best Fonts For Your Resume In 2021
Studies have shown recruiters typically scan a resume for only about six seconds before making a decision on whether an applicant is fit for a role.
With only six seconds to demonstrate your qualifications for a position, every detail counts. To evoke a sense of style, professionalism, and uniqueness, it’s critical you put effort and consideration into your font choice.
But, besides Times New Roman, which fonts pass the six-second resume scan? Additionally, which fonts should you avoid to ensure your typeface isn’t distracting the recruiter from the content itself?
Here, we’ve asked HubSpot recruiters to reveal the seven best fonts for your resume in 2019, as well as what they consider in terms of design in general, so your resume can stand out in the pile.
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Why Should You Use Georgia In A Resume
With many large companies using this font, you can be sure that it works. Considered one of the most beautiful yet easy-to-read serif fonts, Georgia remains at the top of the ladder for serif resume fonts.
It is also one of the most easily found free fonts available for you to use at your discretion, so thats always a plus. Although the same popularity of the font may make it hard for your resume to stand out, if you are looking to provide a sense of familiarity and brilliance, Georgia would be the way to go.
How About Font Combinations & Pairs
Now that you know which fonts should play best on your resume, you may be wondering if combining a few will get you even better results.
When it comes to leveraging combinations or pairs of multiple fonts, my recommendation is to avoid it completely. The rule of thumb should be one font per resume.
Why?
It comes down to efficiency and improving our odds. Using a single font will ensure that things are consistent and that they look good. As soon as we introduce multiple fonts, we have to consider how they pair with one another and, if we’re being honest, the average person doesn’t always have the best eye for design .
You don’t want to end up in a situation where you’re distracting the read with weird font choices. Keep it simple and pick one. You can always personalize it using font weights and formatting.
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Use The Right Number Of Fonts
Using multiple fonts throughout your resume can help you emphasize specific areas and make your resume easier to scan. Using a different font for headings and the rest of your resume text makes each section heading stand out. For example, use a serif typeface, such as Garamond, for the headings in your resume, and a sans serif font, such as Helvetica, for the body of your resume. It is also important to maintain a consistent writing style throughout your resume, so try not to use more than two fonts in your resume, and use each one consistently.
Best Font For The Creative Industry
View this image via Foxys Graphic.
If youre applying in a creative industry, its wise to go a step further than the standard fonts. Choose something modern and unique. This establishes that you understand what captures peoples attention. That said, you still need to choose something that people can read.
The Didot family of fonts is one of the best options here because its a classic with a modern spin that people with an eye for design love. In fact, you can find Didot in use on the covers of fashion publications, including Vogue. Show that youre in the know by selecting a font that creatives like you already love.
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