Although the choice of a font seems like a minor detail given the amount of thought and time that goes into the writing of your resume, fonts can actually play a big role in the creation of a killer resume. Picking the right font is just one of the ways that you can help ensure a hiring manager spends more than the average of six seconds reviewing your resume.
Why? It can convey your professionalism and attention to detail, which are key attributes for a communication pro to possess.
3 things to look for in a resume font:
1. It’s clear:
Is it legible? Some cursive fonts can be hard to read. Ditch a font even if only one or two letters are unclear.
2. It’s industry-appropriate:
Pick the right font style for your industry. Serif fonts, which have a small stroke regularly attached to the end of the larger stroke in a letter, are typically used in newspapers as they are more easy-to-read. They’re well-suited for more traditional or “buttoned-up” roles or industries. Sans-serif fonts don’t have the small stroke attached to longer strokes, just like the font used in the body copy in this blog post. In my opinion, they convey a more modern or creative look. But use your judgement; although a font like Comic Sans is a sans-serif font, it’s too casual for a resume.
3. It’s universally-viewable:
If a font isn’t automatically available in Adobe, Microsoft Office or other common document-creation programs, it might not be viewable by the hiring manager who opens your resume. Pick a commonly-available font so that the recipient can view it as you intended.
Some great fonts for resumes are:
Serif fonts
- Georgia
- Cambria
- Times New Roman
Sans-serif fonts
- Arial
- Calibri
- Helvetica
Are there other clear, industry-appropriate and universal fonts that you think are perfect for a resume? Share in the comments below.
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